TrueDelta takes on JD Power, Strategic Vision & CR

[BigPontiac]

I stumbled onto this today. These guys seem to question the validity of vehicle reliablity scores from Consumer Reports, JD Power, Strategic Vision, etc. Seemed like a slightly different approach anyway. I also didn't see ANY GM cars listed on their comparison page...

http://www.truedelta.com

True Delta site

[bobo]

The guy behind that site, Michael Karesh, used to post occasionally on C&G as mkaresh. I don't know anyone who's actually used the site.

[regfootball]

that site needs a serious visual upgrade. it looks pretty 'underfunded'

[mkaresh]

that site needs a serious visual upgrade. it looks pretty 'underfunded'

Very old thread. I thought there was a newer one here, but couldn't find it.

Anyway, the site received a redesign the following month, but it's been nearly five years and badly needs one again...

Over 60,000 car owners are signed up now, and Novembers reliability stats will include over 450 models. I would like to have better coverage of GM cars, just a matter of getting more owners involved.

Details here:

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Starting this month we have a new question to measure, as objectively as possible, the severity of a problem. Many people have been asking for reliability stats that weight problems by how severe they are, and once we have enough responses with the revised survey we'll start providing this.

Also this month: updated reliability stats.

As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

[Drew Dowdell]

Micheal is a good guy and I encourage everyone on C&G with a recent model vehicle to sign up and participate in the survey, it's a much more effective survey than CR. Naturally, those of us with 30 year old Oldsmobiles won't get counted.

[mkaresh]

Thank you for putting a good word in. Sorry I missed seeing you at NAIAS this year. Tied up with GM events for much of the time?

For those interested in helping out with the survey, the details are here:

Car reliability research

GM models continue to be under-represented in our stats--more participants needed for them.

Edited January 18, 2011 by mkaresh

[Drew Dowdell]

GM had me in their blogger events almost the entire day. If I hadn't brought two other guys with me, nothing else would have been covered.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Micheal is a good guy and I encourage everyone on C&G with a recent model vehicle to sign up and participate in the survey, it's a much more effective survey than CR.

I've had all our cars registered with TrueDelta for years.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

We've updated reliability stats to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Most GM car that we have enough responses for are about average, though the new Camaro is a bright spot:

Car Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

Our car reliability stats have now been updated to include owner experiences through June 30, 2011. To check them out:

Car Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

The stats were updated back in November to cover through September 30, and will be updated again later this month. Continue to especially need more participants for GM models.

[mkaresh]

We've continued to update our car reliability stats each quarter. The latest cover through September 2012:

http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[G. David Felt]

So when I am home I will take a closer look at joining for free, but am wondering how defined the segments are? I already tried to look for my 2008 Trailblazer SS and Escalade ESV Platinum and it does not seem to give those categories so how would it truly rate the quality, service, etc of that auto if you cannot enter in those select features?

[mkaresh]

Sorry, just saw this post. We sometimes split results by body style or powertrain, but only when the data suggest that the stats will differ.

We have updated our stats to cover through the end of 2012:

http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[mkaresh]

Now through June 2013 (with another update coming later next month).

[mkaresh]

And now through September. Unless you wait a few days. Then they'll cover through December, with a few new stats thrown in.

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[Drew Dowdell]

If you're a recent purchaser of a newer car, I encourage you to sign up for the True Delta surveys.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, Drew!

Another update later this month.

[Drew Dowdell]

But add the Encore soon so I can send updates on it!

[A Horse With No Name]

I find this site much more useful than the other sites. It is influencing my next car choice....

Edited May 10, 2014 by A Horse With No Name

[mkaresh]

For the Encore, we now have 19 2013s and 13 2014s signed up. So we're short about a half-dozen for each.

 

Updated stats for other models were posted in May. There will be another update later this month.

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[G. David Felt]

Just joined and updating my garage with my auto details.

[mkaresh]

Added it, and we'll have an initial stat later this month. I think you'll be pleased.

 

The current stats now cover through June 30th. We're the only site that clearly indicates the time period covered by our reliability stats--there's a reason for this!

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[Drew Dowdell]

Added it, and we'll have an initial stat later this month. I think you'll be pleased.

 

The current stats now cover through June 30th. We're the only site that clearly indicates the time period covered by our reliability stats--there's a reason for this!

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

 

Well I'm already pleased with the car. :-)  It has only been back for oil changes, tire rotations, and one recall for improperly torqued seat bolts.   We originally planned to just lease it for the 24 months and then turn it in for another, but life changes and we're going to buy it out at the end of the lease instead and keep it for another year or two.

[mkaresh]

We've updated the stats to cover through the third quarter. No repairs reported for the Encore, with 15 owners participating--very much need more. Most GM cars, including the new Corvette, have a "moderate" repair frequency.

 

To view the latest stats, and sign up to help improve them (if you haven't already):

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[mkaresh]

We've updated our reliability stats for the Encore (and many other GM models) to include owner experiences through the end of 2014. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 

 

2014 Encore: 16, low, small sample size

2013 Encore: 10, low, small sample size

 

For models with sufficient sample sizes we've also added reliability trends graphs. These indicate how a model's reliability has changed as it has aged, and how different model years performed when the same age.

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[Drew Dowdell]

 

We've updated our reliability stats for the Encore (and many other GM models) to include owner experiences through the end of 2014. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 

 

2014 Encore: 16, low, small sample size

2013 Encore: 10, low, small sample size

 

For models with sufficient sample sizes we've also added reliability trends graphs. These indicate how a model's reliability has changed as it has aged, and how different model years performed when the same age.

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

 

 

Nothing but oil changes, tire rotations, and one recall to adjust the seat mounting bolt torque.

[mkaresh]

Our reliability stats for the Encore (and over 700 other model-model year combos) now include owner experiences through March 31, 2015. (Others are nearly a year behind.) 

 

In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year ("low" is best): 

 

2014 Encore: 8, low, small sample size

2013 Encore: 7, low, small sample size

 

Still need more participants for this and other GM models.

 

For repair descriptions, the stats for other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:  

 

Buick Encore reliability

[Drew Dowdell]

I still really have no repairs to report on it.  We're about 15 days from the 24 month mark on ours.  I just submitted the buyout paperwork on the lease.  It just goes in for oil changes and that's it.  It will probably get its first new set of tires in late fall. 

[mkaresh]

Our stats have now been updated to cover through the end of June.

 

Still very little drama to report for some people's favorite small Buick:

 

2014 Encore: 6, low, small sample size

2013 Encore: 7, low, small sample size

 

We continue to need more of these and other GM cars.

 

For the descriptions of all reported repairs, results for other models, and to sign up to help improve this information: 

 

Car reliability stats

Edited October 23, 2015 by mkaresh

[Drew Dowdell]

Well Michael, I'll have an Encore repair to report next time. We have a squeeky HVAC blower motor. Only an annoyance, but I'm having it fixed.

[regfootball]

I still really have no repairs to report on it.  We're about 15 days from the 24 month mark on ours.  I just submitted the buyout paperwork on the lease.  It just goes in for oil changes and that's it.  It will probably get its first new set of tires in late fall. 

not waiting for the new engine for 2016?  (or is it just not out yet)

[Drew Dowdell]

 

I still really have no repairs to report on it.  We're about 15 days from the 24 month mark on ours.  I just submitted the buyout paperwork on the lease.  It just goes in for oil changes and that's it.  It will probably get its first new set of tires in late fall. 

not waiting for the new engine for 2016?  (or is it just not out yet)

 

 

Not out yet, and I get the next new car.  We may move up to the Envision next time depending on what I get.   If I get something that can haul a lot of stuff, then we may stay with Encore.  If I get something with limited seating (Read: Truck) then we'll need to move up. 

 

The Encore is great for the two of us, but with 7 nieces and nephews, and in-laws who don't like to drive during family trips, we're finding it a bit cramped. (Not all at once obviously)

[ocnblu]

So there might not be an Encore encore simply because of changing needs?

[Drew Dowdell]

So there might not be an Encore encore simply because of changing needs?

Correct. It depends if I go with a 3-row (Durango is top contender) or a truck.

But also, if I get a Durango, then he thinks he might not want an SUV at all, and go with a sedan or coupe.

[mkaresh]

Here you go, Drew.

 

We've updated our reliability stats to include owner experiences through September 30, 2015. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 

 

2014 Encore: 12, low, small sample size

2013 Encore: 8, low, small sample size

 

And a non-GM model of interest:

 

2015 Durango: 59, high, very small sample size

2014 Durango: 34, moderate

2012 Durango: 56, moderate, very small sample size

2011 Durango: 71, high, very small sample size

 

For the details, including repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information: 

 

http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

Edited January 26, 2016 by mkaresh

[mkaresh]

Our reliability stats have been updated to cover through the end of 2015, about eight months ahead of other sources. The Encore continues to look good, but with small sample sizes for it.

 

www.truedelta.com/car-reliability

[G. David Felt]

Very Cool