New older washer suggestions. Looking for a 70's or 80's washer.

There's always the mighty Maytag 806. There are two basic generations of this washer in the '70s - an early one with a blue control panel, a "real" bleach dispenser with the fill on the right of the tub opening, a tub light and a chrome-topped lint filter.

Later in the decade, Maytag changed the control panel accent to gold, replaced the bleach dispenser with a simplified unit with the fill at the left of the tub opening, and killed the tub light and chrome-topped lint filter.

Both generations are workhorse machines. If you really wanna knock yourself out, the Holy Grail of Maytags in this era would be the 906 machines, so automated you pushed only one button to start a sequence of events that could not be altered in the slightest. For that reason, the 906 was not as popular new as the 806; even Maytag touted the 806 as being for "The Woman Who Wants to Set Her Own Washing Procedures."

There are also '70s Lady Kenmores that are extremely nice machines, although they are more mechanically complex than Maytags. The "hot" machines are the "garage door" models, which have a faux woodgrain cover that slides down over the control panel when it's not in use.


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Post# 711948 10/28/2013 at 18:53 (3,825 days old) by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes I am in the market for a new (new to me) washer. Currently I am looking for a Maytag. But what are your suggestions?

Post# 711953 , Reply# 1 10/28/2013 at 19:15 (3,825 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *For a '70s Washer:* There's always the mighty Maytag 806. There are two basic generations of this washer in the '70s - an early one with a blue control panel, a "real" bleach dispenser with the fill on the right of the tub opening, a tub light and a chrome-topped lint filter. Later in the decade, Maytag changed the control panel accent to gold, replaced the bleach dispenser with a simplified unit with the fill at the left of the tub opening, and killed the tub light and chrome-topped lint filter. Both generations are workhorse machines. If you really wanna knock yourself out, the Holy Grail of Maytags in this era would be the 906 machines, so automated you pushed only one button to start a sequence of events that could not be altered in the slightest. For that reason, the 906 was not as popular new as the 806; even Maytag touted the 806 as being for "The Woman Who Wants to Set Her Own Washing Procedures." There are also '70s Lady Kenmores that are extremely nice machines, although they are more mechanically complex than Maytags. The "hot" machines are the "garage door" models, which have a faux woodgrain cover that slides down over the control panel when it's not in use.

Post# 711961 , Reply# 2 10/28/2013 at 19:45 (3,825 days old) by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes I love the 906 machines. Im looking for a Standard capacity model though. Is there an A806 model with the standard capacity tub? Cause All i see is ex large capacity tubs in the A806 models.

Post# 713154 , Reply# 3 11/4/2013 at 14:47 (3,818 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *A806 capacity.* The A806 was a large capacity washer. You can use it like a regular capacity washer by selecting a lower water level. If you are looking for a regular capacity Maytag, I'd look for something like an A206, A207, or A208. These models utilized a 2-speed motor. Adding an "S" to the end of the model number indicates a suds-saver, a very nice feature. Dave

Post# 713169 , Reply# 4 11/4/2013 at 15:42 (3,818 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes Any particular reason you're not interested in the large capacity tub? I'd rather wash many loads on the medium water level setting but have the option for the occasional big load or bulky item. The 806 has so much flexibility; I wouldn't let the tub size put you off.

Post# 713194 , Reply# 5 11/4/2013 at 16:59 (3,818 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I am always BIG on capacity....I can always reduce water levels as needed....but I can't make the machine bigger for larger loads!...