I just completed my 2007 Consumer Reports Subscriber Survey. I though people who don't participate might like to see the sort of questions that are used to create the results reported in the magazine..
*********************** If you had any problems with your car in the past 12 months that you considered SERIOUS because of cost, failure, safety or downtime, select the appropriate box(es) for each car. INCLUDE problems covered by warranty. DO NOT INCLUDE: 1) problems resulting from accident damage; 2) recalls; or 3) replacement of normal maintenance items (brake pads, batteries) unless they were replaced much sooner or more often than expected.
Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?
How satisfied are you with this vehicle with respect to each of the following factors?
Did this vehicle get any MAINTENANCE (e.g., oil change/lube/tire rotation) or REPAIRS in the past 12 months?
Was any work done on this vehicle in the past 12 months (excluding tire replacement or accident damage) covered by a warranty or by a recall notice? Select ALL that apply.
Which, if any, of the following performed the maintenance and repairs? Select ALL that apply.
New car dealer (which sells your make of car) Independent local service station Repair or service chain such as Jiffy-Lube, Midas Other
How satisfied were you with the service for each of the following?
New car dealer (which sells your make of car) Independent local service station Repair or service chain such as Jiffy-Lube, Midas Other
***********************
If your cars actually had a problem (and neither of mine did), you get additional question about the area affected, but it all depends on what the respondent considers significant and they don't collect cost data. Yet from this limited questionnaire, that is only sent to Consumer Reports subscribers, CR generates "data" that million use to make buying decisions.
Ed