How is it possible to have a valid list of 2003 used cars to avoid? There
has not been a significantly large sample size available yet.
CR's data collection mechanism is solid, so if you have data for 100
identical year/make cars, then let's hear about it. Your sample is a single
data point, where CU has many more. (I thought I read the minimum once, but
it's been too long to remember)
What CR's 'not recommended' designation means is that as compared to other
makes/models, the 2003 H6 was in the lowest group. When these cars hit the
used market, CR's stats (and >20 years of experience) say they will be less
reliable than other cars, so they recommend to buy something else that's
more reliable. It's a simple concept. Maybe the H6 has early trouble and
will lose its spot on the list next year.
On a slight tangent, I owned a car many years ago that CR deemed less-than a
good choice because, of all idiotic things, the turn signal lever was too
far back from the steering wheel. They felt that too many drivers wouldn't
use their signal (like that's really their excuse...) because the lever was
slightly farther away. That damn report persisted, the car's US-made body
came apart while the Mitsu engine was a dream. My first (and last) new
car...
The vast majority of car owners don't discuss their vehicles on the
internet, so if the H6 really sucks, then it's unlikely to show up on
google.
-John O
