Washing machine opinion and advice

I agree with you Tom that your friend should look for another Kenmore, or at least a Whirlpool product. I agree also with the sentiment that the problem is probably not major with her current machine due to the repair quote being so low, relatively speaking. Did the repairman say what he diagnosed the problem to be?

There was a time recently, and perhaps this is still the case, that Whirlpool was building half the top loading washers sold in this country. The DD design goes back to the early 80s, yours in fact is an 88 model, though the machine may be several years newer than that. When a design lasts so long in production, it's not because its junk as compared to the rest of the marketplace. I much prefer belt-drive WP/Kenmore products, however I realize that due to their age not every average consumer would consider using one, so I recommend top loading WPs every time I get asked.

In addition to Kenmore and Whirlpool, there are clones out there with the Roper, Inglis, Estate, Amana, Maytag, and I think Admiral names on them. At Lowes is a probably unbeatable two-speed Roper, still with a porcelain coated steel basket, super capacity, decent cycles and temps/levels for less than $280 (here in Charlotte anyway). That machine is far from BOL and it should easily last the time frame your friend mentions. Since she's looking for BOL, I presume she's very price sensitive. I love quality built stuff, and the Speed Queen sounds like a deal for the money, but it may be a bit pricey for her. Still cheaper yet is a true BOL Roper for $199 at a local appliance store, and I would much rather own this vs. a comparably priced Frig. or GE etc. (just my own opinion folks!).

I don't know the history of your friend's Kenmore, but I think I'd consider fixing it. Do you think it may need just a coupler? That is a repair a lot of do-it-yourselfers could do themselves and save mega-dollars.


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Post# 273626 4/3/2008 at 17:15 (5,874 days old) by jmirawm (Barling Arkansas)
Checkrate/Likes This is a two parter guys ! Part 1: Friend needs a new washer - she wants BOL, I suggested Kenmore. This is what she has now and it does not spin. Appliance man told her $100 or so to fix and that the same problem on that model would appear again in a year or two. So she is afraid of Kenmore - I do not know the age of this kenmore. what is a good BOL washer to last 5 - 10 years until she can get a front loader. My vote is still Kenmore. Part 2: I was bragging that I have had my Lady Kenmores since 1991 and no probs - except a tranny change while still under warranty Bragging - - - I try to make it a point not to do that....Today my bleach dispenser and the softner dispenser are not working. I tried every cycle. What could the problem be ? It is a Lady Kenmore Ultra fabric care heavy duty 90 series Model: 110.82892800 Any help, advice or opinions are welcome. And Thanks so much !!

Post# 273628 , Reply# 1 4/3/2008 at 17:38 (5,874 days old) by norgeman ()
Checkrate/Likes *Re: which washer to buy?* jmirawm: My advice would be to shop around check out Sears because they sell other brands now, also check out Frigidaire and/or Speed Queen these two brands. One thing about Frigidaire has come up in quality and have kept the price moderate come paired to some of the other brands. Speed Queen would be on the higher end of the spectrum but have heard some possitive things about Speed Queen, either in toploader or frontloader this also applies to Frigidaire. Also, check out Lowes and Home Depot or Best Buy. Have a good time shopping and good luck. Danf.

Post# 273631 , Reply# 2 4/3/2008 at 18:46 (5,873 days old) by westie2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *New washer* Tim Try Downtown Discount Furniture 200 S Broadway Siloam Springs, AR 479-524-2070 They have the GE Fridgemore 3.1 FL set I think for 580.00 for the set. The washer would be even less. I can call tomorrow to verify the price. Know it is about a 60 mile drive but well worth it.

Post# 273690 , Reply# 3 4/4/2008 at 03:49 (5,873 days old) by speed_queen75 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hey jmirawm* I would highly recommend Speed Queen, I just got a new set, top load washer, and dryer, both have a 3 year part and labor warranty 5 years on the cabinet, 5yrs on the motor, 10yrs on the tranny. You can check out Speed Queen.com for more info. I love my new set, i think the BOL SQ's are selling for around $450.00, but it's worth it, these are solid machines, built to last, plus these machines have the traditional long slow agitation stroke, which in my opinion is THE BEST! As far as your LK, i would not be much help on that issue, i am not familiar with the DD models at all, i know more about BD, Whirlpool/Kenmore. Well good luck to you and your friend Cheers Lee

Post# 273699 , Reply# 4 4/4/2008 at 06:13 (5,873 days old) by jaxsunst ()
Checkrate/Likes If she wants new BOL, go to Lowe's and look at the Roper's. They are still Whirlpool, but she doesn't have to know that :-)

Post# 273716 , Reply# 5 4/4/2008 at 07:51 (5,873 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)
Checkrate/Likes *Takes a licking and keeps on ticking says Martina Navratilov* Bought a friend a Frigidaire TL-er as a housewarming gift. Decent enough.Still works like a charm. The indexing tub kinda negates the dual-action agitator, so no need to look for tht feature........ How about a classic Fridigaire front-loader? They are now inexpensive enough and the most tried-and-true engineering, IMHO.

Post# 273727 , Reply# 6 4/4/2008 at 09:17 (5,873 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes You can get an Admiral(now made by Whirlpool) or check her current model and see if the problem is the door switch.

Post# 273731 , Reply# 7 4/4/2008 at 09:29 (5,873 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes It's probably just the lid safety switch; no reason for a new one to only last a year or two. $100.00 repair estimate too low for it to be a motor or timer problem.

Post# 273742 , Reply# 8 4/4/2008 at 10:23 (5,873 days old) by westie2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *GE FL set* The GE 3.1 front load is sold as a set. I was wrong on the price the Set is 799.00.

Post# 273772 , Reply# 9 4/4/2008 at 13:04 (5,873 days old) by tuthill ()
Checkrate/Likes Did they fix the bearing issues or whatever was going out on those GE Fridgemore's?? If not, I would strongly reccomend something else...

Post# 273774 , Reply# 10 4/4/2008 at 13:33 (5,873 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *My thoughts on a BOL machine....* I agree with you Tom that your friend should look for another Kenmore, or at least a Whirlpool product. I agree also with the sentiment that the problem is probably not major with her current machine due to the repair quote being so low, relatively speaking. Did the repairman say what he diagnosed the problem to be? There was a time recently, and perhaps this is still the case, that Whirlpool was building half the top loading washers sold in this country. The DD design goes back to the early 80s, yours in fact is an 88 model, though the machine may be several years newer than that. When a design lasts so long in production, it's not because its junk as compared to the rest of the marketplace. I much prefer belt-drive WP/Kenmore products, however I realize that due to their age not every average consumer would consider using one, so I recommend top loading WPs every time I get asked. In addition to Kenmore and Whirlpool, there are clones out there with the Roper, Inglis, Estate, Amana, Maytag, and I think Admiral names on them. At Lowes is a probably unbeatable two-speed Roper, still with a porcelain coated steel basket, super capacity, decent cycles and temps/levels for less than $280 (here in Charlotte anyway). That machine is far from BOL and it should easily last the time frame your friend mentions. Since she's looking for BOL, I presume she's very price sensitive. I love quality built stuff, and the Speed Queen sounds like a deal for the money, but it may be a bit pricey for her. Still cheaper yet is a true BOL Roper for $199 at a local appliance store, and I would much rather own this vs. a comparably priced Frig. or GE etc. (just my own opinion folks!). I don't know the history of your friend's Kenmore, but I think I'd consider fixing it. Do you think it may need just a coupler? That is a repair a lot of do-it-yourselfers could do themselves and save mega-dollars.

Post# 273892 , Reply# 11 4/5/2008 at 12:09 (5,872 days old) by jmirawm (Barling Arkansas)
Checkrate/Likes *I'll check* I'll check and see, But I think her Boyfriend turned the machien on its side and confirmed what the appliance man had told her it probably was. She did not have the appliance man actually LOOK at the machine. Heaven forbid she pay for the house call. LOL. I do think it is more than the lid switch. Thanks for all the advice so far guys. I will copy and paste it into an email and let her read. Hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend !