Shop Talk- Toyota dethroned as most reliable auto maker

Anne M. gave us a Comment we’re very, very proud of…

“As a woman, I really don’t enjoy going to services places.  I have often felt taken advantage of; I have never felt that way at Tom Dwyer.  I like your honesty, integrity, and prices.”

First, thanks to Anne for such wonderful compliments!  Second, thanks again.  And third, we’re proud to say it’s not the first time we’ve gotten this Comment.  Here’s our answer to a question on Quora that hits on just this point…

Do other women feel like they’re treated like an idiot when your talking to an auto mechanic or a tire shop technician for car repair or maintenance?

We’ve heard that complaint from many, many women about their experiences BEFORE they started coming to our auto shop. Few people, male or female, really understand how cars work anymore, but EVERYONE has a right to a clear, reasonable, RESPECTFUL explanation of anything an auto shop proposes before they ever start. If you feel your shop is treating you “like an idiot” then run, do not walk, to another one! They aren’t doing you any favors, and may be much more likely to try to take advantage of someone they think is an idiot. We’re proud to say that at our shop we don’t “market to women” or treat them different in any way; we treat them with the same respect we treat EACH AND EVERY ONE of our clients.

Don’t take my word for it; check the replies to our Post-Service Comment Cards (Post-Service Feedback Cards – Tom Dwyer Automotive)… “I’m never treated as if I’m a ‘stupid woman’ that can’t understand cars”, “You don’t SELL me stuff, you educate me!”, “Your team is honest, professional, and courteous. They do an awesome job on my car and they don’t make me feel like an idiot when I don’t understand something.”, “This experience was one of the first I’ve ever had where the details were explained to me in depth. I never felt rushed on the phone. Continue to talk to your customers like this!”, “Overall good auto repair experience compared to most. As a female, I was treated much better!”

While there are many, many honest and non-misogynist shops out there, here’s a tip for the others… respect is a good business decision. Our clients (male and female) are out there marketing for us because they appreciate what they’ve found, and we don’t have to spend money chasing new clients to replace ones we’ve chased off through our own stupidity. And we sleep very well at night.

Toyota dethroned as most reliable auto maker

When we found this article and told the guys in the shop about it, no one believed it.  We love the Subies, but more reliable than Toyotas?  Not happening.  Still, here’s what people who actually research the subject say…

Subaru the most reliable car brand: Consumer Reports (from AutoDive.com)

Subaru has topped Consumer Reports’ latest rankings of the most reliable vehicles, according to a Dec. 5 press release.

The fact that many Subaru vehicles share the same components–even across model years–reduced the risk of new problems emerging, according to Steven Elek, who leads the auto data analytics program at Consumer Reports.

The nonprofit consumer organization’s new vehicle reliability rankings analyze vehicle trouble spots and problems that plague customers long after or soon after they leave the showroom.

Consumer Reports measured reliability by analyzing responses from member surveys that ask about problems with personal vehicles over the prior year. The study covers 20 potential “trouble areas,” which range from minor annoyances, like problems with paint and trim, to more critical issues, such as those with the engine or transmission.

Trouble area scores were weighted based on the severity of the problem and then combined to produce a reliability ranking out of 100 points. Overall model scores include these data as well as results from Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction surveys and its own testing.

The subsequent findings reflect data on more than 300,000 cars, trucks and SUVs on the market from 2000 to 2025. In addition, this year’s results include more electric vehicle data than any previous reliability study, Consumer Reports said.

Subaru had seven models ranked in the report, with six of the seven earning average, above average, or well above average scores. The only below average Subaru vehicle was the Solterra EV, which was designed in collaboration with Toyota to produce almost the same car as the also below-average Toyota bZ4X. The average reliability score for Subaru vehicles was 68 out of 100.

The average reliability score for a Subaru vehicle was 68 out of 100. Lexus, a luxury vehicle brand owned by Toyota, followed Subaru with an average reliability score of 65. Toyota itself took third place, with an average reliability score of 62.

Meanwhile, the four automakers with the highest number of unreliable vehicles in the study were all domestic brands: Jeep (33), GMC (33), Cadillac (27) and Rivian (14). In addition, the three least reliable models were pickup trucks, all with transmission issues, including the hybrid Ford F-150 PowerBoost, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Sedans however, were ranked as the most reliable.

Consumer Reports said it also examined other brands including, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lucid, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Porsche and Ram, but lacked the data to determine their reliability rankings.