Geez,When I was a kid, the white goods in our house lasted longer than they were welcome to...15, 20 years anyway.

My dad was a repaiman...more often than not, the units behind his shop still worked fine...they got replaced because they were ugly and non sexy more than anything else...

Today my second Maytag [Performa]has blowed up...something electrical...a five year old machine..

Last Maytag was 8 years old...fixed it three times before the motor went [and I replaced it with this one]

Now I don't know if I even want to call Mister Maytag or just go to Sears and get the cheapest machine they have...your thoughts? GJ

New Maytag washers don't have the reliability of those from the past. If you're looking for top-loading washers, I believe Whirlpool is among the more reliable brands. I don't think you'll get 20 years out of any modern US machine, frankly.

Good luck with your new purchase. Let us know which brand you decide on.

You should look into getting something like a Vintage Maytag or a WP/Kenmore, if even going back to a "BD" WP/Kenmore, or one of the mid to late 1990's "DD" Models.

Otherwise, I agree with frigilux, go with a new WP/Kenmore "DD" and you could look into a "BOL/MOL" Model, depending on the features you are looking for and need.

Myself personally, I go for all the "Bells & Whistles" Models, especially with the Triple Dispensers and I prefer the White Porcelain Tubs, over the Spotted-Color Tubs, or a Stainless Steel Tub.

Peace and good luck with your research and finding, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

suggestion of a Whirlpool made machine. (Whirlpool, some Sears Kenmore, KitchenAid, Roper, and Estate) Gives me great pain to advise against Maytag, but contemporary Maytag is not what it once was.

However, the very cheapest machines are not generally satisfactory. They may last for a long time, but most people do need at least 2-3 water level settings, and temperature choices. My laundry consists of lots of natural fibers, some handmade items, and other items that benefit from a slower speed.

Middle Of the Line (MOL) is generally where the best values are found.


Good luck. Welcome, too. Hope you stay around a while!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

Whirlpool/Kenmore/Roper/KitchenAid family of toploaders is a good choice. But I have friends whose Whirlpool toploader not much past five years old developed a squeal when spinning, then had to be repaired. I haven't talked to them yet about what exactly was the repair.

Fisher & Paykel might also be considered. Main problem I've heard about them is with a recirculation divertor valve that sometimes goes bad. But I understand it's an easy fix and the part (currently) runs about $15 to $20.

I have a KM 90 series model. Good machine...just make sure you get one with a 3 speed motor if that is the brand you decide on. Very flexible machine.

I agree.The Whirlpool family of TLs is currently the best,particularly under the Kenmore name,because you get more features for the money with KenMORE.Try to get the three speed models because the 180 and 120 SPM are too aggressive for some fabrics,and that third 90 SPM is pretty gentle.

This brand has been in OZ/NZ for a number of years. Our current model, Smartdrive, is 8 years old. The drum was replaced during the first year. Display computer died in 2004. Drum again replaced in 2005. Computer has just died again. There are 2, the display & main. AU$73.00 & AU$207.00.
Interested to read posts on MayTag, as here they require a second morgage on the farm!!! Thinking of a Whirlpool, obviously models will differ from USA.

For a good friend of mine who bought a "plastic" TL GE-three years and the thing literally "blew up"
In terms of "best" TL-has anyone in Applianceville had any expereince with the new Speed Queen TL's?I would think those would be the present durability champs.
In terms of "durability with Newer KN TL machines--mine was only 1 week!!--It got of balance while spinning and the inner basket slammed into the plastic outer tank cracking it.Both were replaced under warranty.This one also had the 3 agitater speeds-To me the thing was as some say"Shredmore"-I called it "Rototiller"!Traded it(after it was repaired) to the swap shop here for a very vintage WP Imperial 90--GREAT MAChINE-much better than the KN.Its been going for over 3 years.

This is my recommendation is check out washers built by electrolux, like Frigidiare or whitewestinghouse both have been improved a great deal with 3/4 hp motors and steel gears in the transmissions. My dad bought a Frigidiare 3 years ago
and has had no trouble with it and it washes clean does a really nice job. In fact that's the brand we are going with when our Neptune breaks down which we have had for 6 years with very few service calls. Both of my sister-in-laws like my dad and mom's Fridigidaire so well thats what they are going to get when their washers breaks down. The service dept where we buy our applances told me that Fridigidiare is a lot better than what they used to be. So I would consider looking into Frigidaire or WhiteWestinghouse which ever dealer is in your nieghborhood.

one more thing that I just thought of is that when electrolux
made Frigidiare put steel gears in the transmissions it increased the life of the machine to around 15 years I would say. Where before they did their machines would only last 5 years at the most.