Which brands offer truly 'good' warranties

[desidude]

Hi friends,

As you may know from my other post, we are in the market for a car, most like new. We are leaning towards a compact SUV, but still open to all considerations.

In the interim, as we are relatively non technical individuals, and tend to have busy lives with work and family, a good warranty is important to us.

As another topic on here raised the point about dealers offering 'unlimited' warranties, etc. which are largely marketing ploys, I was wondering what are some truly good warranties, which are of value to average consumers such as myself.

We expect to get a mid level trim nothing fancier in whichever vehicle we choose. Most likely we will get a new car, if not, an used one, most likely through the dealer.

Maybe we can categorize these by groups of countries:

USA - e.g. GM, Ford
Japanese - Toyota, Honda
East Asian - Hyundai, Kia
German - Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Audi?

I will sincerely appreciate all your suggestions!

Thanks,
desidude

 

[phucheneh]

Standard: 3 year 36k bumper to bumper (anything that's not a 'maintenance item')

Luxury: 4-5 year 50-60k ('ditto')

Random stuff: 100k powertrain, non-transferable (typically more worthless than most would think)

Everything: Federal emissions warranty. Different parts have different length warranties, but the most notable requirement is 8 year/80k on the engine computer (ECM/PCM) and catalytic converter.

Also of note: all makes that I know of have a 12 month/12k 'adjustment period.' That's how much time you have to complain about squeaks and rattles, alignment issues, brake noise or pulsation, ect. The kind of stuff that is kind of related to wear and tear, but generally shouldn't be an issue during the first year.

 

[desidude]

Thanks phucheneh, I appreciate your comments. How should one consider the longer warranties offered by companies such as Hyundai or Kia?

Are they merely a means to compete with the more established brand, or is it a way ti disguise inferior quality?

I know you have commented on quality on a current thread, so I hope I am not asking you or others to repeat themselves.

Thanks

 

[Jumpem]

Get a manufacturers extended warranty. From experience, Honda goes to 120k and Subaru goes to 100k.

 

[Gerle]

Not that Lexus is Japanese, related to Toyota.