Warn is a brand name. and you are undoubtedly paying for that name.... BUT they have excellent products too, and everything on that winch can be upgraded and or replaced with factory parts... which are not hard to come bye...
that being said... i know many ppl with the xrc8 winch also and they have no complaints. little slower, little louder.
me.... i have a warn 8274-50 that i bought 3-4th hell i dont know 5th hand. VERY early serial number. but anyway... i have replaced just the cable on it and the bushing on the end of the drum. To me the Warn name is reliability.....
BTW.. i have never used my winch to get myself out... of course im not daring as i could be with bald tires lol