Okay, but no. What kind of car should *I* buy?

[tw]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

This 40 year old information, like much of what you state as fact, is no longer valid.

But again, you are only saying what I have said for years - if not decades. The biggest warranties are often hype on the most inferior products.

The Cadillac warranty was denied in 2008. Numerous defects in a new car were dumped on a dealer because two tires had tire slightly low tire pressure. The program in 2008 was similar to one DeLorean described in the 1970s. GM crap products rightly deserved criticism. Their bankruptcy was due to shit products even decades earlier with names such as Hummer, Oldsmobile, and (some of the worst) Pontiac.

Dealers denying warranties have been observed over many decades. For example, a Geo (in the early days of Geo) dropped its transmission in pieces when the car was one year old to the day. A trail of parts beind the car. Dealer charged her for all work and parts. DeLorean said why. GM had been doing this 'dump warranty costs on dealers' for decades. Part of a larger program of playing spread sheet games.

A friend was told an air conditioner compressor on his two year old Cavalier failed because he used it in the winter. Bull. These tactics (lies) are routine on the most inferior products.

Companies with superior reliability do not hype big warranties. Will often honor warranties that are not advertised or widely known. Generally, the concept from responsible companies is, "That should not happen so we will pay." For example, my first Honda Accord at 12 years old had a rusted support bar. This part supported the engine, steering, and front wheels. At 12 years and with well over 100,000 miles, the dealer said, "That should not happen. Honda will replace it for free." Labor took four hours. The part probably cost $400. Wheels, steering gear, and engine had to be disconnected. I never paid a penny.

Due to superior quality and reliability, car companies run by 'car guys' have real world warranties; automaker reinburses the dealer. The concepts demonstrates even back in the 70s when Mazda paid for the rebuilding of every RX-2 and RX-3 rotary engine. Better quality products (not hyping big buck warranties) extend warranties when the product defect should not have happened. Good luck getting GM or Chrysler to have done that.

Best warranties exist with little fanfare. Products that imply mythical quality by hyping big warranties (ie GM, Chrysler) are often some of the worst products. Reliable products have warranties that remain unknown until a rare failure exists.

Big buck warranties are often found on other inferior products. Good luck getting a plug-in surge protector $25,000 warranty honored ... when those devices do not claim to protect from destructive surges. It even has a history of creating house fires. Another perfect example of a 'best' warranty identifying an inferior product.