Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Which brand Compressor?

I diagnosed my problem (with the forums help!) and need a compressor with fan and condensor. 3 estimates- $1250 cash for a lenox 5 year labor one year parts for someone to do it at night on the side, 1250 for a lennox 1 year parts and labor, reputable company both 10 seer 2 ton and $1800 for a high 11 seer hs lennox 5yr parts and labor, 10 yr compressor. Is Lennox good vs Carrier etc? Or do they all break in the summer and work great in the winter?
I have been seeing posts about 2 year old systems that break.
Thanks,
Geoff:confused:

do not let the side jobber do the work. how do you know he will be around in 3 years, let alone 5. new units almost all have 5 yrs on the compressor, and many have 5 on parts as well. Ruud, Armstrong, Ducane, Concord, etc. of these i would go with the ruud if it were me. 1250 for a 2 ton is reasonable in atlanta if not a little cheap, we get 12 to 14oo depending on the weather. lennox is good stuff too, good luck

Hey,
I would go with the 5 year parts and labor and 10 year compressor waranty.Second,I would go with a lennox over a carrier,but would choose a trane over a lennox.Don't get me wrong lennox is a pretty good system but I just prefer trane.

Thanks for the replies. The guy who will do it on the side is out. The $1800 is too much since we have a twin downstairs unit which we will replace when we renovate. I feel to upgrade the outside with out upgrading the air handler is a waste. He did say something about a scrolling compressor and newer technology. I don't know if it is worth it.
The upstairs which we are replacing isn't used as much, only at night when it is cooler, for sleep. I will see about upgrading the 1 year warranty on the compressor than give him the job.
Thanks,
Geoff

We decided to go for an Armstrong w/scroll compressor vs Lennox recipricating. 10 seer since we don't use it much.
Thanks for all the help. The installer was recommended by the a/c parts store and did one of the guys a/c unit there.

although i recommended a ruud, i install amstrong....good unit. if it is the concept ten i believe it has 10 yrs on compressor