I figured this would be as good as place as any. I apologize in advance if the link already exists....But I need a new washer. Its clear that some brands just dont hold up that well and others outright defective in their design. Were simple people and are fine with a top loader.....Was looking to spend bewteen 400-600 on a new model.....We have kids so frequecy of washing will be on the high end....Could any of the "pro's" who service these machines make some recommendation by model and brand.

Thanks in advance

Molly

Thx for the response. I have definitely latched on to staying away from the front loaders and stick with top loaders. Maytag and Kenmore have read have really diminshed in quality. Whirpool is what I was leaning towards but when I went to Consumer reports the 2 models I was looking @ got slammed. And Consumer reports rated the one I was most interested in dead last. I know not to take Consumer reports as the bible but at the same time was a bit dishearting to read.
Anyways the two Whirlpool models I had in mind were
WTW5300VW This one I was leaning towards


WTW58ESVW

Click here to comapre http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/comparison_detail.jsp?categoryId=115&productId=1479%2C1452&compare=1479&compare=1452

I'm not locked in on Whirlpool..It seems as each manfacture has its downfalls. GE bad motors. LG decent but getting parts horrible. etc. If anyone could recommend a model by any brand I would be most appreciative

Well, a couple of points

1. You should pay between $350.00 to $400.00 (plus tax, delivery and extended warranty if you want one, don't recommend it for these machines) for the machine. Anything more and you are just getting some semi-useless bells and whistles which add little to the machine but do make it more complex. Look at the big box stores on line, there are very good deals right now.

2. Forget Consumer Reports. There ratings are based on non-scientific sampling or testing on a single machine. Almost all machines listed on aline at a retailer have user ratings and comments which you can access when you look at the machine. For example, the Whirlpool models you mentioned seem to be a noisy. This is seems to be part of the Whirlpool brand.

3. Whirlpool, Maytag and some Kenmore are all made by the same company. Determine the type of machine and the features you want, then go to the retailer you trust that has the best price. Check the stores, you may find a floor model or scratch and dent for as little as $300.00.

4. LG stands for "(L)ottsa (G)oshdarn" luck getting it repaired. Stay away from foreign brands. We may not do everything right in the country but we make really, really good appliances, particularly basic machines.

Those of us who reply on this Forum are volunteers. Part of our motivation is to save people money, so if you spend more than $400.00 for your machine, good luck but please don't tell us about it.

Hope this helps.

Well, I would like to recommend a model, but then you would come back and say "on what basis do you recommend that model" and I would have no answer for that question. Being basically an honest person (at least where money is not involved) I cannot give you unsupported advice. The only way a specific model can be recommended is from a source that has a good sample of that model, and no single person has that sample. A sample of one or two is just anecdotal and simply not reliable.

That is the reason I suggested you use the ratings from actual customers. If you go to the website of your preferred retailer you can browse the models, find one that suits you and then find and read the reviews posted there and elsewhere. You will find some folks thought the machine was great, and some had major problems.

Based on the number of reviews, what they say and the percentage that found the machine acceptable or good, you can make an informed decision. These are people who have actually bought and used the machine, and collectively their opinion is far better than mine. I can only advise on a general basis, the specific machine is beyond my expertise and beyond the expertise of anyone who repairs the machines. We just do not have the factual database to go there.

Look, you can always get a lemon, but if you buy the U.S. made top loader without microprocessor controls or complex electronics the chances are very good you will get a nice, reliable machine regardless of the brand name or model number. That's what I did. I have three kids, a wife who thinks clothes should be washed after each time they are worn (not necessary in my opinion particularly if the smell is not too bad but she insists) and a 14 year old machine that has only required a $20.00 part in all those years. You are likely to have the same experience.

Good luck, but you should be fine.

Well, a couple of things.

1. You are right about the reviews, but it is because some times the person writing the review is not competent. Water hammering does not occur because of the ATC or anything else in the washer, it occurs because of a problem in the plumbing having to do with high pressure and air in the system. GE motors are fine (some models have an inverter, which is the kind of electronics you stay away from).

2. Folks like me work on older machines, we do not have experience on newer machines because (a) they are under warranty and repaired by authorized techs and (b) they have not had time to go bad.

3. We don't really focus in on model numbers, but we do pay attention to the technical and engineering design. Guess what, underneath almost all basic Whirlpool, Kenmore, Roper, Estate, Inglis and recently Maytag front loaders it is all the same. They use the same parts and they have been doing that for over two decades. These machines are direct drive, they do not have a belt. GE and Frigidaire do have belts. And inside the basic GE models they are all pretty much the same. And inside the basic Frigidaire models they are all pretty much the same. We can repair these machines with our eyes closed, (and I sometimes do).

The design on these machines is time tested, they are well built and easy to repair. If you have trouble with one, it is because of a random event, not anything in the design or manufacture. You take your chances, just like with anything else.

I cannot recommend a model because within a given class and brand they are basically all the same. The more expensive have semi-uselss bells and whistles that just complicate things.

4. Let me illustrate with this model.


The insides of this machineWhirlpool - 3.5 Cu. Ft. 14-Cycle Super Capacity Plus Washer - White

Model: WTW5200VQ

are the same as they have been for over 20 years.


This machine has a separate water temp switch. seperate water level switch and a switch for a 2nd rinse. These switches have been the same for decades. The timer is easy to changeout and is not expensive. Inside is a motor, pump, coupling, transmission etc that are all time tested for decades.

This machine is currently on sale for $382.49 at a site you can easily find. There are 9 reviews, with 4.2 rating out of 5.0. The major complaint is noise, but blaming a Whirlpool washer for being noisy is like blaming a frog for being ugly.

This is not a recommendation but let me put it this way, if someone gave me a $800 fancy front loader I would leave it at the curb. If someone gave me this model, I would take it.

Good luck, but find one you like from a store you like with a salesperson you like and you will be fine.