Would You Take The Promise Of Reliability Over The Guarantee Of A Longer Factory Warranty?

We hear a lot about what motivates people to buy a brand.  Some prefer performance, mileage,  styling or luxury, but one of the most common justifications is reliability.

Face it, reliability has it merits, but the fact is that the average buyer is holding on to a new car for a minimum of six years now, and for most of us that is at least two years outside of a warranty. 

So is it the fear of a break down or major expense that is the REAL motivating factor that allows one to justify reliability as a major factor in a purchase?  Statistically, vehicles have never been more reliable than today and in most cases an issue will not leave you on the side of the road. The flipside to the argument is that repairs can be very expensive on these technology laden chariots. Sometimes topping a thousand dollars.
So the real question maybe how lucky do you feel in those unprotected final years of ownership?
If you had the choice between two similar vehicles with the following key differences which would be more inclined to choose over a six year period?

Vehicle ”A” which scores better in reliability than the competition and has a four year warranty.

OR

Vehicle “B”  which scores average in reliability but it equipped with a ten year warranty?

Both will probably take you the complete six years without major issue, but does the security of the lengthy warranty sway you over the reputation of no issues?

CarCrazedinCali - 9/24/2012 2:52:27 PM

+5 Boost

better reliability any day... less visits to service dept and longevity is better obviously

Designer1 - 9/24/2012 2:55:58 PM

+5 Boost

Reliability of course. Even if I have a 10 years warranty I will get sick of taking my car to the dealer and just simply hate it and will no longer buy that brand again.

2ndbimmer - 9/24/2012 3:36:33 PM

-4 Boost

Longer warranty, obviously. my friend had 4 4-runners in a year because of transmission problems andToyota kept buying him out of them. One of them the salesman couldn't even pull up front for him to take it home because the tranny failed!
Bought an X5, who people do not think is reliable, has put 120,000 miles on it and has not had one problem.
I will take the warranty over "claims" that a ceain manufacturer is reliable. Its well known that car companies pay off magazines for positive reviews.

Lexus - 9/24/2012 3:42:18 PM

+4 Boost

@2andbimmer,

oh please....... give me a break. It's well know that car companies pay off magazines for positive reviews??

Agree and Disagree but you Cannot the deny the quality that reliability that the Japanese cars offer over Korea, America, Italian or German.

That's just the fact, like it or not. And many of the Japanese car owners agree and that is why they keep coming back buying another Japanese car or cars.

Yonder7 - 9/24/2012 3:46:49 PM

+3 Boost

I prefer reliability...Hyndai may have 10 years warranty (in the shop) and Toyota 4 but rolling on the streets...

gkearns56 - 9/24/2012 4:05:35 PM

+5 Boost

I wish our Auto Spies people here would do a comparison of the Japanese made vehicles in Japan, versus the transplant Japanese factories over here. I would bet that if there is even the slighest notion of it being a UAW factory, the quality levels would be slightly lower. Otherwise I believe Japanese cars are hte most reliable. I've had plenty with no problems at all.

PUGPROUD - 9/24/2012 4:18:34 PM

-1 Boost

Let me see...after the warranty is gone in four years the dealer wants $175 or more per hour to fix something. Never keep any car past the warranty period if you can afford to...otherwise take the longer warranty.

HughJass - 9/24/2012 4:38:34 PM

+1 Boost

Unless the engine falls out or transmission explodes, I'll take warranty. After the car is paid off, a normal repair would be at most 2 hrs labour @80/hr and on avg a $200 part. If you have to go in and replace something once a year, it's still a good deal. Not including brakes, tires or oil changes.

I'd like to see someone collect on a 10 year warranty if their engine stops running after 4 years, they'll cook up an excuse like "you drove it in the snow too much". The 10yr warranty would probably only last 5 years if you drive alot, sounds good until you read the fine print.

HughJass - 9/24/2012 4:38:57 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry, my post should say I'll take "RELIABILITY".

HughJass - 9/24/2012 4:39:58 PM

+1 Boost

How about this for a warranty, "25yr or 25K miles" full warranty.

Lexus - 9/24/2012 4:57:15 PM

+4 Boost

I take the "Reliability" any day over warranty. Especially, if you have a choice between a Toyota and Hyundai. I have own a Toyota in the past and it was brand new I got it up to around 80k with No problem. The only thing I change was the brake like once, one rear light bolt, oil routine, fluid etc... And that was it.

Very good and reliable car. I love Japanese cars NEVER have any major problem. I have own American cars in the past and Can't the same about them. I know close friends that own Hyundai and Kia and they all said the same thing Not very reliable. They're improving but No where Near the Japanese brands yet.

LSIII - 9/24/2012 5:20:40 PM

+1 Boost

I'll take warranty, because there is no guarantee if something is going to reliable no matter who makes it.

quizz - 9/25/2012 9:31:39 AM

+2 Boost

Reliability every single time. I don't have time to go back and forth to the dealer for warranty claims.

Eyecarehawaii - 9/25/2012 1:50:11 PM

+2 Boost

It makes me wonder whay we can't have both? What's wrong with the manufacturer's offereing a reliable car that include a longer warrantly because it's more reliable?

skytop - 9/26/2012 9:22:09 PM

+1 Boost

Autospies: Is that an oxymoron you are trying out on us?