Imp4,
Let me answer some of that... This post isn't aimed at you, just answering some of the points you brought up for the group.
Cost - Quality base stocks and additives that can survive 25,000 miles and still remain in grade costs money. Now it depends on whether you are looking for extended OCI's. But those that complain about the cost when they are comparing apples to oranges. i.e. Amsoil Extended Drain capabilities to off the shelf not designed to do 25,000 miles. Amsoil does have other series like their OE / XL series which are reduced costs but offer excellent protection like off the shelf synthetics. But to use the signature series 25,000 mile capable oil against say Synpower or PUP makes no sense. Both are very different in their capabilities and what they are designed for.
Availability - Shipped right to your door for free if you meet the minimum order of $100. Not sure how that isn't "Available" to some folks.
Truth in advertising - They are upfront when you contact the technical support line via the web or phone. They do their own testing and don't subscibe to paying for API licenses on their signature series (but do on the OE line) because it allows them to not have to conform to their specifications and can build a better product. i.e. more ZDDP than is allowed normally under API Licensing. As for Dexos they have run the tests and come up just the same and better but don't want to pay GM for the official spec because their typical user could care less. How this is any different than Valvoline claiming specifications on their ATF's for example but not officially licensing it is beyond me, but I guess it's cool to hate companies folks don't like just because one "Trusts" Valvoline over "Amsoil". They certainly have the pockets to pay for this licensing if they wanted to as the videos I posted in other threads showing their operations clearly shows the money they have.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJsul2aDqfU /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHrs15Ywho /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3nMho2mwCw
Again if you have concerns feel free to e-mail them as I have done many times and have posted responses here. They aren't hiding anything and were quite up front that they didn't pay for official Dexos licensing but that they have run the tests and will guarantee the quality. Heck they even show you pictures of piston heads, turbos and internals of CVT's that they have tested their products against the competition. But we should probably all dismiss this because it's biased. I mean it's not like there would be lawsuits bankrupting them into oblivion if they were lying or anything. Especially in the sue happy U.S. Just saying...
Un-needed performance for long engine life - Depends what is important. If fewer oil changes and lower cost per mile oil changes over these longer intervals with excellent protection and long engine life is your key then Amsoil is the best product because that is what it is designed for (Signature Series). If you intend to change your oil at 10K miles or less and want long engine life than any off the shelf synthetic or Amsoil OEM / XL series is the right product because that is what it's designed for.
The fact is people here like to hate on Amsoil and it's usually because they decide to use the MLM dealer network to sell their product and choose to increase their sales year over year since the 1970's based on word of mouth instead of big fancy commercials and oil change shops licensing the brand name. Which is a complete shame that such an American success story gets pushed to the way side simply because of folks bias and hatred that is unsubstantiated. But to each their own.
The fact is there is nothing but exceptional experiences on this forum, other forums, all over the internet (especially in the performance and off-roading community) and myself included which I know is biased... All using their products and there isn't any hoards and hoards of bad experiences out there where anything Amsoil makes caused any issues when applied properly.
Use it if it suits you and your needs, don't if it doesn't. But folks that spread nonsense because they don't see benefit in it for them is a problem. Could you imagine if folks did this to M1, Valvoline, Pennzoil? There would be mass murders. So why is it ok to hate on Amsoil? (Not aimed at you Imp4)
