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Consumer Reports Online Reports: Firestone Wilderness AT
Question:
. > I bought our ‘91 Explorer based in part on > the Consumer Reports reviews. > I won’t say it’s the worst vehicle I’ve ever owned, > but the list of problems we’ve had with it > would fill a couple of pages > (and would be old news to the regulars on this group). > — > long time lurker and occasional poster > John D. Goulden
. . Not defending CR here, but any vehicle bought within three years of it’s introduction is going to be a PIA. The engineers/tech and line workers have to figure it out and work the fixes through the system (and past the beancounters). Any doubts? Look at the new Escape’s recall list. Even Toyota (Rav 4, Echo etc.) has these ‘teething’ problems. —– dan, ‘94 Explorer Whew, just over my own self-imposed line of worthiness 
. Before you buy.
Response:
> I agree about CR.. I think they *rate* the best product based on $$$$ > in their pocket… > it is funny though, how many *sheep* won’t buy a glass of water > without consulting CR first..
One other tale: I had a friend that managed a factory that made men’s outer wear. A lot of his product was raincoats with zip in liners. They were branded for a lot of different stores, Penney’s and other national or local businesses. When CR did a survey of those, I asked Ralph how he made out. He said he had several in the survey and he said they all got different ratings.
Response:
The CR article also says "You may want to wait before buying any Wilderness AT tire until more questions surrounding Firestone’s recall are answered". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. >So can you ever trust CR again? >Consumer Reports Online Reports: >Firestone Wilderness AT II 64 > Firestone comments: Good overall, with excellent dry cornering. But notably >worse wet braking without ABS. Not currently among those recalled. Lowest >rolling resistance in the group. >http://www.consumerreports.org/Special/Samples/Reports/0011fire.htm
Response:
I bought our ‘91 Explorer based in part on the Consumer Reports reviews. I won’t say it’s the worst vehicle I’ve ever owned, but the list of problems we’ve had with it would fill a couple of pages (and would be old news to the regulars on this group). — long time lurker and occasional poster John D. Goulden
Response:
> Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. > So can you ever trust CR again?
About 30 years ago I had a subscription to CR. On their rating info, I bought a new 1971 Audi 100LS. It was the worst car I have ever owned. I have not read CR since. Charlie
Response:
I agree about CR.. I think they *rate* the best product based on $$$$ in their pocket… it is funny though, how many *sheep* won’t buy a glass of water without consulting CR first.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. > > So can you ever trust CR again? > About 30 years ago I had a subscription to CR. On their rating info, I bought a new 1971 > Audi 100LS. > It was the worst car I have ever owned. > I have not read CR since. > Charlie >I couldn’t help commenting. Also about 30 years ago, my parents had a subscription to >CR. My dad was a piano tuner/rebuilder who also taught the trade for the Piano Technicians >Guild, and I was just starting out in the business. CR came out with an article rating new >pianos, and raved over one of the worst pieces of junk ever built, choosing it as the best >piano over several other, far better instruments! Needless to say, that was the end of our >CR subscription, and I haven’t trusted their ratings on anything since.
respond to ray_fox#hotmail.com (change the # to @)
Response:
Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. So can you ever trust CR again? Consumer Reports Online Reports: Firestone Wilderness AT II 64 Firestone comments: Good overall, with excellent dry cornering. But notably worse wet braking without ABS. Not currently among those recalled. Lowest rolling resistance in the group. http://www.consumerreports.org/Special/Samples/Reports/0011fire.htm
Response:
> Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. > So can you ever trust CR again? > Consumer Reports Online Reports: > Firestone Wilderness AT II 64 > Firestone comments: Good overall, with excellent dry cornering. But notably > worse wet braking without ABS. Not currently among those recalled. Lowest > rolling resistance in the group. > http://www.consumerreports.org/Special/Samples/Reports/0011fire.htm
You left out the caveat on the web page: "Note: The Bridgestone and Firestone tires rated below are not the subject of the current recall. While our performance tests can’t predict a tire’s durability, our test results can help you choose tires that perform best for your vehicle and driving conditions."
Response:
I left it out simply because they left out the word "yet" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You left out the caveat on the web page: > "Note: The Bridgestone and Firestone tires rated below are not the > subject of the current recall.
Response:
> > Rated the Firestones above Goodyear’s. > So can you ever trust CR again? > About 30 years ago I had a subscription to CR. On their rating info, I bought a new 1971 > Audi 100LS. > It was the worst car I have ever owned. > I have not read CR since. > Charlie
I couldn’t help commenting. Also about 30 years ago, my parents had a subscription to CR. My dad was a piano tuner/rebuilder who also taught the trade for the Piano Technicians Guild, and I was just starting out in the business. CR came out with an article rating new pianos, and raved over one of the worst pieces of junk ever built, choosing it as the best piano over several other, far better instruments! Needless to say, that was the end of our CR subscription, and I haven’t trusted their ratings on anything since. — Jim J