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

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by tw

Very little relationship exists between a warranty and quality. As I learned some 40 years ago when running a GM parts department.

This 40 year old information, like much of what you state as fact, is no longer valid. In 40 years, we have witnessed the advent of the fax machine, the microwave, the personal computer, the Internet, cell phones, etc, etc....

Why else would companies rate certain cars as more expensive to cover? Nissan even divides it's own vehicles into classes.
Class 1: Versa, Sentra, Cube, Altima, Juke, 2wd rogue, and 2wd frontier.
2: Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, and 4x4 rogues and frontiers.
Class 3: Armada, Titan.
Class 4: Gt-R.
Class 5: NV, nvp, nv200.

Of course, that meant we did everything possible to deny or not honor a GM warranty.

GM restarted that program some years ago. Mechanics told me about one Cadillac with numerous warranty problems (before they even sold it). The GM rep arrived. Measured tire pressures. Found two tires that were more than 2 PSI from the recommended tire pressure. Then used that as the excuse to deny reinbursement for warranty repairs.

I have witnessed Nissan extending large scale factory coverage for free twice since I've worked with them. The 04 Quest owners were all GIVEN two additional years of bumper to bumper coverage for free. The people that had bought security plus service contracts were mailed checks to pay them back and keep it fair. This was because those vans were really poor quality. Quite the opposite of what you claim about GM.

The other was a retroactive upgrade for all 2008-2010 cars with a CVT tranny to a 10yr- 120k term. Doubling the standard warranty. And not just for the original owner. This time because the cost of repair or rebuild was prohibitive.

http://www.nissanassist.com/faqs.php?menu=3

I know you have some resentment toward GM, but I highly doubt there is a 'program' in place to systematically deny warranty claims. Dealers sometimes try to get customers to pay for covered items.... And then go ahead and file that warranty claim as well (double dipping, stealing) but most reputable places won't do that. I'm frequently involved in connecting service with the claims people for the things I sell. My Rep reviews our claims ratio and adjusts our premiums periodically for things like tire coverage and key insurance...

Yes, I said key insurance. The fvcking keys are $300 a throw nowadays, so people want insurance... like what you buy with your cell phone.

Best warranties are often an indication of a least reliable product. And not just for cars.

I find the better warranties are found on cars with image issues.

Honda, Toyota, Nissan. The big 3. All three the same. You get 3yr/36,000 b-b, and 5yr/60k power train. No roadside assistance unless you get the service contract.

Because they sell even without anything better. I think that if any of them changes, the other two will follow suit.

Who has longer warranties? High line cars... And trust me, you're paying for it... As well as that free maintenance plan, BMW and Volvo people...
And the Makes that have had safety issues SUZUKI, reliability problems,.. Mitsu, and hyundai, Kia.... Because they have to in order to sell cars.