My $800+ washing machine that is only about six years old bit the dust. After a repair several months ago of over $200, now it has another problem that would cost over $300 to repair. So this one is toast. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good machine? I am not looking for anything fancy with lots of bells and whistles--just a top-loader that won't break the bank, will do a good job, and last more than six years. Thanks for your input.
Anybody Have a Washing Machine Recommendation?
- Thread starter MissL
- Start date
I love my Maytag, but it's probably 10 - 12 years old and I have no idea if they still make them as well as they did then.
So many companies have been sold to other companies that it is difficult to even know if Maytag is still really Maytag......
but it still works like new after all these years and I've never had to have it repaired either.
I bought one of the simplest models.... 4 water levels and choices of hot/warm/cold wash water and rinse water. A regular and delicate cycle and that's about it.
I'd check Consumer Reports if you know anyone who has a subscription. That's what I usually do before making a big purchase. My subscription has expired and I didn't renew it because I wasn't planning any purchases anytime soon.
So many companies have been sold to other companies that it is difficult to even know if Maytag is still really Maytag......
but it still works like new after all these years and I've never had to have it repaired either.
I bought one of the simplest models.... 4 water levels and choices of hot/warm/cold wash water and rinse water. A regular and delicate cycle and that's about it.
I'd check Consumer Reports if you know anyone who has a subscription. That's what I usually do before making a big purchase. My subscription has expired and I didn't renew it because I wasn't planning any purchases anytime soon.
Thanks, Susan. I do think that someone bought out Maytag--might have been Whirlpool which is what I have now. But I should have mentioned that Consumer Reports was how I ended up with this one. They gave it a high rating, so I hesitate to go that route again. You are fortunate that you found a good one. The repairman told me that it's best not to sink a lot of money into a new one because the price doesn't necessarily indicate longevity and that, in fact, most of the newer ones are probably not going to last more than 8 years at best. I agree with you that simple is best--less to go wrong with it. I just need to know where to go from here--and soon. I just thought that some of you might have had a good or bad experience with a particluar model. THanks much for the response.
BTW, I have a Maytag dryer that is about 10 years old. It, too, is simple. A repairman came out a few months ago to replace a belt that broke on it, and he told me that this particular model was one of the best and I should hold onto it as long as I can. Probably like your washer. You got a good one, so keep it going until they don't make parts for it anymore.
BTW, I have a Maytag dryer that is about 10 years old. It, too, is simple. A repairman came out a few months ago to replace a belt that broke on it, and he told me that this particular model was one of the best and I should hold onto it as long as I can. Probably like your washer. You got a good one, so keep it going until they don't make parts for it anymore.
JennieR
Cathlete
Sorry, I don't have any adive for you I just wanted to tell you about my aunt and uncle. They recently bought a new washer with all the bells and whistles. Needless to say they didn't even have it a week before something went wrong with it. Obviously, they returned it and just got a regular ole washer. I say just stick with the basics. 
NinjaMom
Cathlete
horsing around
Cathlete
We're married 16 years and on our 3rd washing machine. It's only 2 of us, so we're not even hard on a machine. We started with a Kenmore top load, but sold it because we wanted a front load. Our first front load was a Fridigaire, but only lasted about 7-8 years. I called to complain that is didn't last longer and the customer service rep told me I was lucky we got that many years of out it. I had a few choice words for him that day What happendd to the days of having one 20+ years?
Now we have a front load Maytag that is pretty basic. I like the front load, easier on the clothes, uses less water and clothes seem to come out of washer drier.
Good luck with your purchase!
Lisa
What happendd to the days of having one 20+ years?Now we have a front load Maytag that is pretty basic. I like the front load, easier on the clothes, uses less water and clothes seem to come out of washer drier.
Good luck with your purchase!
Lisa
LasVegasFitGirl
Cathlete
I bough all Whirlpool appliances 17 years ago. Not one problem or repair.
I just bought a Sears Kenmore HE top loader for $399 on a great sale price. I had the repairmen out to make sure it was balanced properly because the lid seemed to slant forward. Anyway, the balance was fine, but I used the opportunity to ask him about these HE washers in general. He said all the repairman really think the old style agitators are still the most reliable by far. The top loaders tend to rip clothes (I am finding mine ripping apart old rag towels but no clothes as yet) because of the wash plate on the bottom. He said the front loaders get off balance a lot and the cycle just stops until you re-balance it. So if you are not paying attention and your laundry stops it could be hours until you discover it. And he thinks they break down more easily and have more repair problems than a toploading HE.
I'm thinking the best thing to do is buy the very cheapest washer on the market (usually an old style agitator) and replace it every 5 years or whenever it breaks.
Beth
I'm thinking the best thing to do is buy the very cheapest washer on the market (usually an old style agitator) and replace it every 5 years or whenever it breaks.
Beth
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
We had a Kenmore top loader that lasted about 22 years. Kenmore is just a great, reliable brand.
When it died about 8 years ago, and I replaced it with Maytag. It has done fine, no problems.
I can't believe what people are paying for appliances these days. My built in double wall oven is on the blink. It's a Frigidaire and it lasted 21 years. The repairman says they don't even make parts for it anymore, so we are looking at replacing the whole unit. A quality double wall oven is going to cost us in the neighborhood of $2000... possibly more. Yikes!!!
When it died about 8 years ago, and I replaced it with Maytag. It has done fine, no problems.
I can't believe what people are paying for appliances these days. My built in double wall oven is on the blink. It's a Frigidaire and it lasted 21 years. The repairman says they don't even make parts for it anymore, so we are looking at replacing the whole unit. A quality double wall oven is going to cost us in the neighborhood of $2000... possibly more. Yikes!!!
Thanks everyone. I appreciate your input. I ended up getting a Maytag Bravo Centennial priced at $542. After looking at all the online reviews on the new HEs, I decided it was pretty much a tossup. I might as well plan on whatever I buy not lasting more than 6-8 years regardless of price but to buy something that wasn't so cheap it would rattle and "walk" and have problems from the beginning. The Bravo Centennial seemed like a good compromise.
I was looking at a comparable Kenmore model, but the soonest I could get it delivered was November 23, and I have laundry piling up already. And with Cathe's new LIS I will hopefully have a lot more sweaty workout clothes to add to the pile.
For those of you who mentioned that you have had your machines for 15, 19, or 20 years, again, I would suggest you hang onto them until you don't have a choice. I do not think you will be pleased with the new high efficiency models.
Thanks again for all your input.
I was looking at a comparable Kenmore model, but the soonest I could get it delivered was November 23, and I have laundry piling up already. And with Cathe's new LIS I will hopefully have a lot more sweaty workout clothes to add to the pile.
For those of you who mentioned that you have had your machines for 15, 19, or 20 years, again, I would suggest you hang onto them until you don't have a choice. I do not think you will be pleased with the new high efficiency models.
Thanks again for all your input.
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Dela
Cathlete
This is probably the best advice for buying appliances! Nothing you buy today will last like the older more simpler models. I'm pretty sure they build them intentionally to break in a few years, unlike the models from over 15 years ago, seemed like they were built to last.