TOM WALKER wrote to ROY WITT:   
      
    RW> RW> AB>>>     I have to find a "very affordable" used car for a   
    RW> RW> AB>>> family member (somewhere between US$ 1,000 and 2,500?)   
    RW> RW> AB>>> Ideally an old hatchback or perhaps a subcompact sedan.  At   
    RW> RW> AB>>> this price point I realise that whatever he buys should be   
    RW> RW> AB>>> considered a temporary vehicle but if it lasts him a year   
    RW> RW> AB>>> or two, that would really help him out of a difficult spot.   
      
    RW> RW>>> My advice would be to go to a supermarket or a dedicated book   
    RW> RW>>> store and find a copy of an automotive consumer's report. Also   
    RW> RW>>> find a copy of "Blue Book" automotive values. Some cars are   
    RW> RW>>> created equal and others are bad news. You'll get the idea once   
    RW> RW>>> you read blue book values.   
      
    RW> TW>> Just checked my 2013 CR Buyers guide.   
      
    RW> TW>> Basicly look for a Toyota or a Honda and AVOID a GM or Chrylser   
    RW> TW>> and most other Foreigh Cars   
      
    RW>> Which is typical for Consumers Reports...they must have Japanese   
    RW>> owners or a majority of share holders, since they have never   
    RW>> recommended American vehicles. Never in the last 50 years that I've   
    RW>> scanned their pages. And Japanese cars used to be no better than   
    RW>> their 'beer can' toys.   
      
    TW> Well the Stats do not LIE,   
      
   They do when you get them from CR...   
      
    TW> and they are compiled from actual Owners opinions NOT the Editorial   
    TW> Staff.   
      
   BS - watch the CR TV program and tell us how many owners are interviewed   
   there. If they wanted to reach a large audience, then that is where such   
   lies would be more convincing. Magazine circulation doesn't even compete.   
      
    TW> YES Japanese cars used to be pretty bad. I embember the origional   
    TW> Toyo Pet cars imported to Hawaii. But things have changed. With out a   
    TW> doubt, despite what you GM lovers think, the Toyota and Honda are   
    TW> better quality cars than the GM or Chrysler Product.   
      
   Another lie. You forget that I worked in the industry for a time. What I   
   witnessed to be true isn't what you're saying.   
      
    TW> The Only down side is that the Toyota and Hondas cost more on the   
    TW> Used Car Market becasue of the Superior Quality.   
      
   They cost more because they initially cost more. That may not be due to   
   any of them taking high profits, but it is certainly a possibilty.   
      
    TW> And as a side note the CU 2002-2011 "Used Cars To Avoid" listing has   
    TW> 30 Chevrolet models on it where as Toyota has 3 and Honda 2.   
      
   I wouldn't give any positive credit to anything CU prints...   
      
      
            R\%/itt   
      
      
   --- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-31012   
   --- D'Bridge 3.92   
    * Origin: Bow Tie Racers, Been There, Done That! (1:387/22)