tfudtuckerpucker
Full time employment: Posting here.
A long time ago, I bought a new car strictly on the basis of an absolutely glowing review in Consumer Reports. My previous one had died, and I needed a new one now. By coincidence, that month's CR (I was a loyal subscriber) showcased one that was right in my price range, the right size, and everything. I went right in and bought one.
Absolutely the worst car I have ever owned.
Exactly the same thing happened to me. Before the internet, CR was just about all there was. So I bought a Chrysler minivan. Was rated highly by CR, but by the time I sold it, it was on one of those "10 worst vehicle" lists. Both transmission and engine had to be rebuilt. That was the worst car for reliability I ever owned. Now I only buy Toyota/Lexus, and _maybe_ Honda/Acura, though Honda/Acura have had major problems in recent years, and you have to be careful which model you buy.