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Anyone else fed up with Consumers Reports?

Zelek

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Getting a solid 12.3 on E85. Article is accurate.
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FreePenguin

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if I shift no later than 3000 rpm, I can get my mpg up to 15-17 and match the acceleration that my 4 cyl Scion TC had and the same mpg!! That car use to run on the highway at over 3,000 rpm.

of course those 2-3 mpg reduction put a much larger smile on my face that the TC never could. So if you equate dollar spent on gas per happiness, the Mustang was far cheaper
My 2012 Scion tC gets 33mpg all day lol. 87 octane.
 

XS

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CR knows the jig is up. Maybe ten years ago I used to read their reviews but nowadays I just Google reviews and scan multiple sources. I find it to be far more accurate. Case in point I was shopping for a washer and dryer and predictably the only "good" ones CR recommended were all models with expensive superfluous bullshit features that are insane to have in my opinion (a washer that tells me NFL scores?!). When I googled the same models most of them were average at best. I don't know what is going on there but I assume it's because most people left them years ago, like I did for real world reviews.
 

Norm Peterson

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And what kind of person even looks at MPG when buying a Mustang?
I probably did, just like I've looked at the mpg numbers for every other car we've bought since mpgs were required to be posted. But I probably pay less attention to the mpg numbers after that - for any car - than I do the car's wheelbase dimension.

I guess the price I pay for the vehicle itself is only part of the price I pay for driving. The other part is the cost of driving it, which is mainly the gas it uses. I'm OK with that, especially given that most of the cars that pitch high mpg numbers either don't appeal to me (any econobox) or can't fill our needs (Miata as the primary family car).

My take - obsessing over a couple of mpgs feels a bit like worrying about squeezing the last $25 out of your purchase price. Not worth the time or the effort.


Norm
 
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Fly2High

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My 2012 Scion tC gets 33mpg all day lol. 87 octane.
you have the newer engine (2.5l) in the second gen with more power (180hp). I had the 2010 with the lousy 2.4L and only 160 hp. That thing got rebuilt at 32K miles because the piston rings had a design flaw causing it to leak oil into the combustion chamber. Bet you drive more highway too.
 

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Andy13186

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I dont think ive got over 15 mpg in my mustang on the stock tune on 93, I get like 10.5 on e85
 

FreePenguin

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you have the newer engine (2.5l) in the second gen with more power (180hp). I had the 2010 with the lousy 2.4L and only 160 hp. That thing got rebuilt at 32K miles because the piston rings had a design flaw causing it to leak oil into the combustion chamber. Bet you drive more highway too.
If I had to only have 1 car. Like one HAD to go away, id get rid of the mustang. the Scion tC, is cheaper, more reliable, honestly I love it. doesn't have the power, and flash but it really honestly has done the job for almost 200k with not a single hiccup. it hauls anything inside, and pulls anything behind. lol

my life is 99% highway. but yeah, I even pull motorcycles across the country. Prob went back and fourth across country 10x with my motorcycles on a trailer. I use it for everything, kayaks, large appliances/wood etc. Friends pay me $$ to haul motorcycles from dealers back home and to and such.

Little workhorse. Doesn't drop a drip of oil. The 2.5 engine is pretty stout, albeit it isn't the strongest, doesn't struggle with anything. 6 speed manual. I did 10k intervals at dealership with the oem oil, then switched to 15k amsoil signature intervals.

I made the mustang and scion have the 2 tone matching theme.

at 99.9k miles I had the 100k mileage warranty, I took it in for any work they could find, I guess from all the years and miles of towing, the rear shocks one of them had a slight leak, and one of the sway bar bushings was cracked. so I got them to give me a full new shock/strut set lmao.

(they was shady as hell at the Toyota dealer, but warranty work is better than no work) basically got full suspension job.

(edit) I put a bunch fo sound deadener in the trunk, and also tossed a little on the hatch itself. and the little trunk strut shock raising things, they are kinda falling down in colder weather, I push it fully up and it stays, but it isn't as strong as they used to be.

I can't seem to source new strut shocks. I was hoping to find improved versions for the extra weight, but nobeuno. wonder if I can toss redline hood struts on the rears lol
img_6537_9a02cf3ee2f18eb7eabc7806023a8c6d99a202d9.jpg
10494592_10153385056463923_1170055708422072324_n_10153385056463923.jpg

my newer bike - sold the gsxr 750. had a great 8 years of use.
C913E668-C099-4F15-A165-208779831B9B_zps6i9c9ntx.jpg



before/after
4631D6DB-8218-4E6A-AD29-07CF382D733E_zpsysnjkwye.jpg


Painted it grabber blue with white pearl. (the black had pearl in it) so I wanted the new blue to have the same effect. love it
IMG_0277.JPG
 
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shogun32

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If I had to only have 1 car. Like one HAD to go away, id get rid of the mustang. the Scion tC, is cheaper, more reliable, honestly I love it. doesn't have the power, and flash but it really honestly has done the job for almost 200k with not a single hiccup. it hauls anything inside, and pulls anything behind. lol

10494592_10153385056463923_1170055708422072324_n_10153385056463923.jpg

my newer bike
C913E668-C099-4F15-A165-208779831B9B_zps6i9c9ntx.jpg
gixxer thou to gsx thou?

At least CU rated Mazda as the best car company this year. I love Mazda.
 

sotek2345

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I averaged 19 with my 2015 Mustang GT and 17 with my GT350 (including days at the track). Yes, it's possible to average lower, but you almost have to ignore traffic laws or spend a fair amount of time on track to make that happen.

I agree Consumer Reports is garbage, especially where cars are concerned. I think they rate Mustang way too low. They are probably just as bad for everything else that they review, but I don't have any personal experience with their recommendations for appliances, etc.
17mpg in a 350 is really good. I get ~12.5 in mine commuting back and forth to work (~30 to 45 mph, usually below 2k rpms). I think the short drive (~ 8 miles each way) and stoplights really kill it. Doesn't even get up to temp most of the time.
 

FreePenguin

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gixxer thou to gsx thou?

At least CU rated Mazda as the best car company this year. I love Mazda.
it was a 13 gsxr 750, fully modded, full tune, was my race bike. My friend bought a Kawasaki naked z900 or something. I rode it, and it was so comfortable. So I was curious, I got the GSXS1000, I had both gsxr 750 and gsxs1000 and my Harley 883 beside each other in garage.

I rode the gsxs1000 for a week, (had crappy throttle response from factory, not smooth, choppy) I fixed that with a flash, but I went to ride the gsxr750 and man, within 300 feet, I was instantly uncomfortable. it was luxury on gsxs1000 for everyday riding, and it has massive power really does, (at least modded, decatted, reflash with correct fueling and restrictions removed) its butter smooth and a damn rocket. and I sit more upright. really comfy.

I sold the gsxr 750 in 1 day. got 6k cash, with 13k miles on it, and got the new gsxs1000 for 10k OTD. 9200 before tax. so I paid basically 4k to upgrade from 750 to 1000, and comfort for a new bike. quite happy. the new owner is still rocking the gsxr.

We ride the gsxs a lot, and if we want to cruise around backroads, we hop on the 883.

39310504_10156821601848923_2122538241721630720_n_10156821601843923.jpg

my cat likes my new gsxs a lot too.
BB3C8BF7-0740-4269-BF5B-E933747711DC_zpskns3z3wl.jpg
40046933_10156844259883923_3763969176251662336_n_10156844259878923.jpg
 

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Fly2High

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If I had to only have 1 car. Like one HAD to go away, id get rid of the mustang. the Scion tC, is cheaper, more reliable, honestly I love it. doesn't have the power, and flash but it really honestly has done the job for almost 200k with not a single hiccup. it hauls anything inside, and pulls anything behind. lol

my life is 99% highway. but yeah, I even pull motorcycles across the country. Prob went back and fourth across country 10x with my motorcycles on a trailer. I use it for everything, kayaks, large appliances/wood etc. Friends pay me $$ to haul motorcycles from dealers back home and to and such.

Little workhorse. Doesn't drop a drip of oil. The 2.5 engine is pretty stout, albeit it isn't the strongest, doesn't struggle with anything. 6 speed manual. I did 10k intervals at dealership with the oem oil, then switched to 15k amsoil signature intervals.

I made the mustang and scion have the 2 tone matching theme.

at 99.9k miles I had the 100k mileage warranty, I took it in for any work they could find, I guess from all the years and miles of towing, the rear shocks one of them had a slight leak, and one of the sway bar bushings was cracked. so I got them to give me a full new shock/strut set lmao.

(they was shady as hell at the Toyota dealer, but warranty work is better than no work) basically got full suspension job.

(edit) I put a bunch fo sound deadener in the trunk, and also tossed a little on the hatch itself. and the little trunk strut shock raising things, they are kinda falling down in colder weather, I push it fully up and it stays, but it isn't as strong as they used to be.

I can't seem to source new strut shocks. I was hoping to find improved versions for the extra weight, but nobeuno. wonder if I can toss redline hood struts on the rears lol
img_6537_9a02cf3ee2f18eb7eabc7806023a8c6d99a202d9.jpg
10494592_10153385056463923_1170055708422072324_n_10153385056463923.jpg

my newer bike - sold the gsxr 750. had a great 8 years of use.
C913E668-C099-4F15-A165-208779831B9B_zps6i9c9ntx.jpg



before/after
4631D6DB-8218-4E6A-AD29-07CF382D733E_zpsysnjkwye.jpg


Painted it grabber blue with white pearl. (the black had pearl in it) so I wanted the new blue to have the same effect. love it
IMG_0277.JPG
My 2010 TC was like this, a first gen.
1613684792835.png


The thing used over a quart of oil every 1000 miles. It failed an oil usage test Toyota performed on the car and required a piston and ring job.

When Toyota rebuilt the engine ( at 32K miles) because the piston rings wore poorly and were the cause of the oil leaking into the combustion chamber, they ruined the block by buggering up the oil delivery. 1500 miles after piston job, the lack of oil wrecked 3 of 4 cylinder walls which were scored badly. Then they installed a short block and messed up the counter balance shafts or the shaft's bushings since they were making noises 1200 miles after the short bock was installed. The last straw was that they ripped both outer CV joint boots by articulating them too much removing the engine three times and had to replace both axels. I got them to pay for that because their shop manual clearly listed that over articulation would rip the boots.

When I traded the TC for the Mustang, it had 50,000 miles(10 yrs old) and the car was starting to use oil like before, 1+ qt every 1000 miles and had to get away from the money pit.

Loved the versatility and just wish they got it right from the factory. If you have the dealership do work, all bets are off.
 

FreePenguin

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My 2010 TC was like this, a first gen.
1613684792835.png


The thing used over a quart of oil every 1000 miles. It failed an oil usage test Toyota performed on the car and required a piston and ring job.

When Toyota rebuilt the engine ( at 32K miles) because the piston rings wore poorly and were the cause of the oil leaking into the combustion chamber, they ruined the block by buggering up the oil delivery. 1500 miles after piston job, the lack of oil wrecked 3 of 4 cylinder walls which were scored badly. Then they installed a short block and messed up the counter balance shafts or the shaft's bushings since they were making noises 1200 miles after the short bock was installed. The last straw was that they ripped both outer CV joint boots by articulating them too much removing the engine three times and had to replace both axels. I got them to pay for that because their shop manual clearly listed that over articulation would rip the boots.

When I traded the TC for the Mustang, it had 50,000 miles(10 yrs old) and the car was starting to use oil like before, 1+ qt every 1000 miles and had to get away from the money pit.

Loved the versatility and just wish they got it right from the factory. If you have the dealership do work, all bets are off.
That sucks man, if you ever wanted a new one though, 2011+ are bulletproof. the 2.5' is the engine from the Camry, and well a manual is a manual. im still on my original clutch @ 175k and no signs of slipping, (I do highway mostly) though.

my neighbor had a older tc, and he kept braking off the trunk latch where you handle it up.

I just ordered new oem trunk strut latches a few minutes ago from dealership. 70 bucks for a pair, figure mine have been good for 8 years, a new set should be back to new.
 

Hack

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17mpg in a 350 is really good. I get ~12.5 in mine commuting back and forth to work (~30 to 45 mph, usually below 2k rpms). I think the short drive (~ 8 miles each way) and stoplights really kill it. Doesn't even get up to temp most of the time.
I don't think 17 is especially good. I drove the car hard. Went to the track a few times. Lots of joy rides. Lots of daily commutes as well. I have a 25 mile commute each way. It's all city driving but mostly on highways in the city. So there's stop and go, but also some 5th gear cruising. It definitely got fully warm during my commute when it was 70F or warmer outside. I did drive it many days when temperatures were in the 20s and colder though. I got better fuel economy in the winter than summer (no traction to really get on it). I got mid single digit fuel economy on track, and highway was as high as 23 mpg if I kept it under 75 mph. But 17 mpg was from the time I bought the car over 3 1/2 years never resetting it including all my driving.
 

TicTocTach

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As with any opinion or rating, it's best to assemble a number of data points and see if you can find a trend that is meaningful to your needs. I've read and subscribed to CR for years, and I agree that now it's better for appliances than cars. However, the most useful car aspect I find is the reliability ratings for above/below average trends. I tend to buy cars and then drive them until they quit, so they have not helped me much buying cars over the years. My last car - 2008 Honda Fit - was too new to the US market to be rated by them. But it was a Honda and reliability wasn't something I felt was going to be a concern. Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track - all raved about the Fit being a fun, tossable car, and fun was what I had to have in whatever I bought.

When I was upgrading from the Fit, it was down to between the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the S550 - both RWD turbo 4's. The Giulia was, well, an Alfa, so reliability was always a question. It was also new enough that CR didn't have data on the car. The S550 though had several years of reliability data and even though they rated the car lower than great, they acknowledged that it was an enjoyable car and that owners loved it. C&D, MT, and R&T obviously loved the S550, and everyone seemed pretty content with the 2.3L EB performance so the deal was sealed.

As for mileage, well, my EB gets shit for mileage. Working from home and only taking my kid to school results in 100% city streets and 15mpg or so. Yes, I enjoy the driving experience and I'm OK with that. It's a big step down from my Fit that was also an enjoyable city street driving experience, but still managed to knock down nearly 30mpg in town. Add 1,200#, a 50% larger engine, and 200hp and it's not hard to see why the mileage is hurting by comparison. I sure didn't think it would hurt that much, but there you go. I don't regret my choice one bit.
 

ORRadtech

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As with any opinion or rating, it's best to assemble a number of data points and see if you can find a trend that is meaningful to your needs. I've read and subscribed to CR for years, and I agree that now it's better for appliances than cars. However, the most useful car aspect I find is the reliability ratings for above/below average trends. I tend to buy cars and then drive them until they quit, so they have not helped me much buying cars over the years. My last car - 2008 Honda Fit - was too new to the US market to be rated by them. But it was a Honda and reliability wasn't something I felt was going to be a concern. Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track - all raved about the Fit being a fun, tossable car, and fun was what I had to have in whatever I bought.

When I was upgrading from the Fit, it was down to between the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the S550 - both RWD turbo 4's. The Giulia was, well, an Alfa, so reliability was always a question. It was also new enough that CR didn't have data on the car. The S550 though had several years of reliability data and even though they rated the car lower than great, they acknowledged that it was an enjoyable car and that owners loved it. C&D, MT, and R&T obviously loved the S550, and everyone seemed pretty content with the 2.3L EB performance so the deal was sealed.

As for mileage, well, my EB gets shit for mileage. Working from home and only taking my kid to school results in 100% city streets and 15mpg or so. Yes, I enjoy the driving experience and I'm OK with that. It's a big step down from my Fit that was also an enjoyable city street driving experience, but still managed to knock down nearly 30mpg in town. Add 1,200#, a 50% larger engine, and 200hp and it's not hard to see why the mileage is hurting by comparison. I sure didn't think it would hurt that much, but there you go. I don't regret my choice one bit.
Your EB only gets 15 mpg? Is it modified at all?
My stock EB convertible is getting pretty close to 25, 24.7 to be exact. I daily it 60 miles round trip and it's a mix of city and highway and I can't say I baby it. Quite the contrary actually...
On my highway trips of a few hundred miles it hovers around 30.
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