Every winch that I've ever had except for one has been a Warn-either an 8274 or an M8000. All have worked flawless, but the one on my tow rig won't get much use at all, so the Engo 12k with synthetic at 65lbs of weight and $475 is looking a whole lot better than the Warn VR12000 with wire rope at 89lbs of weight and $799. But you know I don't want a piece of junk winch either b/c when you need it you sure don't want a piece of junk!
The only junk winch I have ever had was a Ramsey 9000 and it came on a rig that I bought so I don't know what it had been through before I got it. The Warn 8274 that I've had on some of work trucks is the best winch I've ever used.