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A few corrections.. (Reply to this comment)
by glen22
"One thing I did notice about the new set and they are very similar to the old set is the steel used in the unit housing seems a little thinner."
This is because they aren't made to the same standard as your old set. Being lighter they tend to vibrate more, and without the porcelain coating they tend to rust out sooner. For $100 you could have gotten a new motor for your old dryer - the new ones aren't any better and many have much shorter lives and expensive or hard-to-find parts.
"Both offer direct drive washers. This means no belts to break...And Direct Drive units are more trouble-free than belt driven."
Not true. Belts rarely break in the first several years of use, and aren't expensive. In point of fact the old belt-drive, steel tub Whirlpool and Kenmore top load washers were much more reliable and longer-lived. The belt drive takes up some of the shock of the tub movement and shock that wears out the hub bearing and shaft on DD units.
"But the washer has a white heavy duty warrantied porcelain [inner] basin." Yes, but the outer tub is plastic now. With less weighty tubs and thinner metal cabinets, they generally vibrate more and wear out faster than the heavy porcelain-coated steel cabinets and outer tubs of yore. The new DD/plastic outer tub top load washers aren't bad, but in comparison to a 70's belt-drive machine they still require more frequent repair. The newer top-load DD machines with redesigned pump and agitator do use less water and electricity, however.
"Maytags are for those with deeper pockets than mine. All are good quality." No longer true. Maytag went out of business after selling many cheaply engineered washers, some were just rebadged Amanas ("Amanatags"). Whirlpool bought them and now they are just a nameplate.
"I am really leery of the new digital controls and sensors. More to break down. Heat and vibration wreck havoc. Design engineers just use top of the line to sell to millionaires and exercise their imaginations."
Absolutely true. Electronic controls, circuit boards, and sensors die an early death. They are expensive to replace, and are the first parts to be discontinued by the manufacturer. No parts = dead piece of junk, more appliances in the landfill, and more environmental damage. Plus the factory is wasting far more money churning out new machines to replace the broken ones. Explain that fact to friends who insist you buy an expensive, "eco-friendly", "high-efficiency" washing machine loaded with electronics.
"I do recommend buying at least a 3 year extended warranty any place you go...You will be married to these appliances for at least 10 years and you will need to cover the chance of getting a lemon or your occasional need to abuse your machine by washing a load of tennis shoes."
You'd be better off buying a new scratch & dent or a one- or two-year old mechanical DD Whirlpool for $150-$200, any old working top-lint drawer Whirlpool or Kenmore dryer for $50, washing your shoes in a washbasin, and skipping the extended warranty. The more complex front-load and HE top load machines will rarely last more than 7 years, and typically see major repairs after the extended warranty has already expired.
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Jun 11 '09
3:05 pm PDT
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Don't forget to research service ratings! (Reply to this comment)
by avgguy
I bought a Kenmore which began to stall & display an F11 error code. I had the extrended warranty, so costs would be covered. HOWEVER... I had to wait 10 days for a service call, which Sears bungled. The original service order entry transposed two digits on my cell number, so I received no call and consequently no service. Did Sears make things right? No way... have to wait another 10 days. Advice: Check service capability and ratings up front!
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Jan 04 '08
4:23 pm PST
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Nice job :-) (Reply to this comment)
by melissasrn
No doubt that consumers will find this editorial on How to Choose Washers Very Helpful.
Fantastic work!
Melissa
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Dec 26 '02
12:41 pm PST
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