After reading the comments I think for the most part it's not practical. The cars are changing all the time. Unlike production cars that have year models, you really would not know what was being rated. It may be more accurate to rate the company, but company management changes all the time. Who would know that that guy that just left was the key to the operation.
I think one thing that new buyers need to understand is that there are a lot of problems known that are not out in the open. You may be buying a car that you are the first to own where a change was just made. That change may have been tested or not. It may have been engineered, or just a guess. You may be the RD guy, but just don't know it yet.
There has been some good advice given. But also remember, the guys that you think are the experts may have never built a car or are an expert with their car only, that has been changed considerably. I think in addition to visiting the business you should ask for the names and numbers of the last ten people that bought the car and really talk to them. You may have to look hard to find the secrets! There is a 2,000 pound elephant in the room and the King has no clothes.
Thanks for your comments.
Wayne