“Used Kias, Jaguars praised for reliability” |
| Used Kias, Jaguars praised for reliability Posted: 30 Dec 2010 09:29 AM PST Dec 30, 2010 Special to the Star It's the No. 1 issue for car shoppers, so why aren't more automotive publications writing about it? According to an Ipsos Canada survey, reliability is the most important determining factor for consumers deciding on a vehicle purchase. Thirty-seven per cent ranked product quality of paramount importance, followed by price (28 per cent) and safety (22 per cent). It's hardly surprising — yet most car reviews shy away from the topic. The Wheels section's "second-hand" feature regularly reviews four- to six-year-old vehicles and what their owners have to say about them in online posts and forums. Taken together, there's much to learn from their ownership experiences. Here's a recap of the good and not-so-great used vehicle reports that surprised us in 2010. THE GOOD With periodic watering, Kia grew its second-generation Rio for 2006 (photo at top of story), gaining economies of scale with corporate master Hyundai by adopting the Accent's front-drive platform. The subcompact arrived from South Korea as a crisply styled four-door sedan and five-door hatchback, the Rio5. By adopting variable valve timing, the Rio's solitary 1.6-litre DOHC four cylinder made 110 hp. Unfortunately, owners discovered the little motor was not as economical as the fuel ratings suggested. At least Kia didn't scrimp on safety: front, side and head-protecting curtain airbags were standard issue. Durability-wise, the Rio has been the subject of relatively few complaints; the most common having to do with short-lived batteries. A few owners reported faulty air conditioners and leaky automatic transmissions, but in neither instance could it be called an epidemic. The monocoque body shell of the third-generation Jaguar XJ was constructed almost entirely of aluminum, cutting almost 100 kg of mass while enveloping a larger cabin. The structure was also 60 per cent stiffer, making for better handling and ride characteristics. Used Jaguars are traditionally fraught with debilitating breakdowns that threaten to put owners in the poorhouse. That's why we were so surprised when drivers' remarks about the 2004 and newer XJ sedan were overwhelmingly positive. Deficiencies focus on electrical issues, such as short-lived batteries, keyless-entry failures, false warning lamps and some problems with on-board computers — but all in small numbers. Surprised? Consider that Jaguar has risen to rank among the 10 most reliable nameplates in J.D. Power and Associates' dependability studies. Lincoln introduced its smallest sedan ever for 2006, resurrecting the name of a V12-powered car it last produced in 1941. The front-drive Zephyr — quickly rechristened MKZ — shared its rigid unibody platform with the lunch-bucket Fusion and, by extension, the Mazda6. The MKZ featured a coil-over front suspension with double-ball-joint control arms, while a fully independent multi-link design resided at the rear — just like on the imports. For 2007, engineers dropped in Ford's new 263-hp, 3.5 L V6, replacing the Fusion's plebian 221-hp, 3.0 L Duratec V6. Mechanical faults have been few to date: some owners have documented problems with door and window weatherstripping, driveline vibration and poor-shifting transmissions in small numbers. A few have reported non-functioning seat heaters and coolers and, yes, short-lived batteries, too. Hyundai's near-luxury Azera model replaced the homely XG350 as the automaker's flagship sedan for 2006, putting a stop to the impolite snickering. Until the Azera came along, Korean luxury had been lost in translation. The front-wheel-drive Azera employed the mid-size Sonata platform with a 3-cm longer wheelbase. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension with unequal-length control arms up front and a multi-link setup out back. Drivers applauded the car's athletic engine, quiet composure, roomy cabin and plethora of luxury features. A lot of 2006 and 2007 Azeras exhibited cracked dashboards on the passenger side near the airbag (corrected under warranty). Excessive engine noise at startup may be traced to a faulty timing-chain tensioner. A small number of automatic transmissions with poor shifting characteristics has also been reported. THE BAD New for 2003, the Volvo XC90 was a five-door wagon on stilts, offering unusually generous ground clearance for a car-based SUV. The solid-as-a-bank-vault XC90 became Volvo's best-selling model in North America and the unofficial staff car of North Toronto soccer moms. Unfortunately, the XC90 was riddled with mechanical problems. Frequent failure of the automatic transmission in the T6 model was disconcerting — and very dear to repair. It's best to avoid the T6, which was discontinued after 2005. There was no shortage of other headaches: short-lived tires, wheel bearings, brakes, suspension components, axle seals, fuel pumps, batteries and air conditioners as well as bad turbos and wonky electrical faults. And because many parts originate in Sweden, prices are breathtaking. Oh, and the XC90 is very fond of premium fuel. The Cadillac CTS signaled a new dawn for the luxury brand in 2002. So when it came time to create a crossover, adopting the CTS' Sigma platform for the new-for-2004 SRX made sense. Owners liked its powerful drivetrain, supreme comfort, capable handling and handsome good looks. However, the SRX exhibited some deep-seated problems. A common gripe has to do with excessive oil consumption by the 3.6 L V6. Some owners saw one litre lost over 1,500 km; dealers characterized this as normal. Some dealers will change the engine's piston rings when pressed, owners reported. The SRX's panoramic roof is a source of rattling and even water leaks; it's best to avoid models with the full-length glass roof. Other reported problems include short-lived catalytic converters, faulty power steering, malfunctioning stereos, suspension noise, unbalanced driveshafts and broken ignition lock cylinders. Volkswagens don't always age well, owners often remind us, and the hardtop convertible Eos is no exception. Some owners noted the top could stop functioning, sometimes in mid-fold, rendering the car undriveable. Many more discovered that the hardtop leaks from its seams and seals. So prevalent were the leaks, in some cases, that owners reported a mildewy stink emanating from carpets. The 2.0T turbo engine has a voracious appetite for motor oil (documented in other VW and Audi models). Owners reported one litre burned every 1,600 km or less – a rate considered normal by VW. Other maladies include faulty power windows, short-lived batteries and electrical sensors, jerky DSM transmissions and paint problems. The Mini Cooper hatchback was redesigned for 2007, growing 6 cm longer and gaining a little more power thanks to a new 118-hp, all-aluminum 1.6 L four built jointly by BMW and Peugeot. Mini ditched the CVT transmission and adopted a conventional six-speed automatic (a six-speed manual is standard). Owners revel in the Mini's tossable demeanor, conversation-starter styling, retro interior and BMW breeding. But in a nod to its roots, the English-built rolling icon suffered from numerous headache-inducing mechanical setbacks. There's no one telltale problem, but rather a host of online complaints that include prematurely worn clutches, electrical glitches, dead batteries, short-lived oxygen sensors, oil leaks, weak air conditioners, power-steering woes and cold-weather starting issues. Its run-flat tires don't last long and are horribly expensive to replace, so avoid them. THE UGLY The unhappiest owners we found this year were those with a 2002-09 Ford Explorer. At one time the best-selling sport utility on the continent, it's been eclipsed by its newer sibling, the Oakville-built Edge. And none too soon. Loyal Explorer buyers have been hammered with expensive repairs. First and foremost, some owners have replaced the trouble-prone automatic transmission more than once. Watch for slipping or jerking gear changes, particularly in older models (2002-04). Owners have a litany of other complaints: frequently failing wheel bearings, broken springs and struts, bad differentials, cracked intake manifolds, short-lived alternators and fuel pumps, faulty air conditioners and broken power-window regulators. To add insult to injury, the plastic liftgate panel was prone to cracking. Here's a sobering fact: the Explorer was the most popular trade-in sentenced to the crusher during the U.S. government's "cash for clunkers" program in 2009. Now you know why. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
The Eos arrived in North America in the fall of 2006 as an '07 model. It was reportedly delayed at its Portuguese factory due to concerns over the roof mechanism — problems that weren't entirely resolved.
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