Phil Edmonston - Lemon-Aid New and Used Cars and Trucks 2007–2017

It came out of the blue, last November, Conservative Senator Bob Runciman Ontarios former Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, complimented APA Director George Iny for his smooth presentation during Senate Bill S-2 hearings on a new law for car recalls. Not like Phil Edmonston. He added, I was presenting new consumer laws over three decades ago and he heckled me from the back of the room.

Heckle time is over, Bob; its time for applause. Amendments currently working their way through the Senate and Parliament will finally see reforms to correct defects that date back to the inception of Canadas Motor Vehicle Safety legislation in 1971. Senate Bill S-2 will finally give Transport Canada the authority to order a recall. Under our current Act, the government has to ask the Federal Court to order an automaker to send its customers a letter stating that their vehicle is defective; our legislation does not require the carmaker to actually pay for repairs to fix safety defects. Canadians benefit from a free repair largely by riding on the coattails of more robust American protection or at the pleasure of the automakers.

Currently about one in five recalled vehicles is never repaired. With the proposed amendments, Canadians will get real-time recall look-up capability and Transport Canada will be able to fine carmakers (Fiat Chrysler are you listening?) that routinely fail to comply with timeliness and reporting requirements. An important additional measure needed is to have some of the fines paid by automakers dedicated to independent research to improve vehicle and road safety, and not just paid into general government revenues.

When enacted, the changes have the potential to morph Transport Canada from zombie to zealot. And thats not all. The Auditor General has provided a road map for Transport Canada in a recent report prepared by his office. After waiting 45 years for many of these changes, and witnessing all the missed opportunities along the way, you may well imagine that nobody is happier than I to see the proposed amendments on the way to becoming law.

December 2016

Automobile Protection Association Teams up with Lemon-Aid

Phil Edmonston invited us to collaborate with him on this years Lemon-Aid guide, and the Automobile Protection Associations (APA) team went to work. The APA expanded the information on Leasing and Vehicles for Seniors in Part One and enhanced the used car information in Part Two. In Part Four the APA added its road test and reliability information to the reviews. We also provided new information on recommended preventive maintenance to address known weaknesses with several vehicles.

The guide contains more detailed technical information and actual consumer comments than you could ever keep in your head. With the benefit of the information in these pages youll have a heads-up for problems that could present themselves down the road with the vehicle you currently own and the vehicles you are thinking of buying. Thats because Lemon-Aid has always been about more than just the cars; its about empowering consumers.

George Iny

APA Executive Director

December 2016

APAs Principal Contributors to the 2017 Lemon-Aid Guide

George Iny, Executive Director

A leading consumer advocate for more than 30 years. Dozens of investigations and reports on auto retailing, repair practices, leasing, and financing. Thousands of interviews for local and national radio, television and print media. George last contributed to the Lemon-Aid guide in 1985 and is pleased to be back for the current edition.

Ron Corbett, Staff Writer

APAs principal vehicle reviewer for new and used vehicles, Ron has driven more than 500 cars, trucks and SUVs during his career. Ron is also a contributor to Protgez-Vous , the French language consumer magazine distributed in Quebec, and a regular guest on the Lemon-Aid Car Show , broadcast on the Rogers Community Television network. This is Rons third book-length collaboration.

Mark Toljagic

A professional freelance journalist, Mark was the Toronto Star Wheels used-car columnist and a news feature writer for 18 years. He received the AJAC Journalist of the Year award in 2007. Mark currently contributes to a number of websites, including MSN.

Contents

What You Dont Know Can Hurt You

NEW CARS AND OLD TRICKS

More Choice, Better Deals

Buying Tips

Which New Car, Truck, SUV, or
Van?

When and Where to Buy

Buying the Right Car or Truck

Safety

Highway High-Tech

Safety Features that Kill

Comfort

Senior Cars

Other Buying Considerations

Saving on Servicing Costs

Hidden Costs

Surviving the Options Jungle

Lemon-Aids Review of Standard and Optional Features

Unnecessary Options

Dealer Options

Aftermarket Accessories

Paying a Fair Price

Leasing Fleecing: Why Leasing Costs More

The Contract

Trade-In Tips

Summary

OLD WHEELS AND GOOD DEALS

Secret Warranties and Special
Programs

Auto Insurance

Three Decades of Hits and Misses

Safety First

Used Better Than New

Used Is the Smart Choice

When and Where to Buy

Buying with Confidence

Dont Pay Too Little

Financing Choices

Dealer Scams

Private Scams

Helpfule Websites

Summary

ROBBERS AND RECOURSES

It Pays to Complain

Two Warranties

Supplementary Warranty Scams

Supreme Court Tackles Fine Print

Broken Promises

Negligence

Reasonable Durability

The Art of Complaining

Seek Outside Help

Contact the Right People

Twenty-One Legal Tips You Should Know

Using Government Agencies

2007-2017 RATINGS GOOD CARS, BAD CARS

2016-2017: An Opportunity for
Buyers

Five Ways to Get a Good Car

Best Model Choices

South Korea: Boasting; Japan: Coasting; Volkwagen: Roasting

Dont Believe in the Fuel Fairy

Take Advantage of Depreciation

How Lemon-Aid Picks the Best and Worst

Definition of Terms Used in Part
Four

Real-Time Recall Lookups in Canada

American Car Quality

Fiat Chrysler and Jeep

FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES

JEEP

FORD

GENERAL MOTORS

General Motors SUVs and Pickups

ACURA

HONDA

HYUNDAI

INFINITI

KIA

LEXUS

MAZDA