Need help buying a new washing machine

[ksu93]

The Amana washing machine I bought only about 7 years ago needs about $250 in repairs, but I'm going to just replace it because the repair man said Amana washers are junk. So far I've only looked at a Whirlpool model and an Inglis model (which is made by Whirlpool for Best Buy) for $350 and $300 respectively. Can anyone comment on the quality of these washers? How about a web site where I can read about washer ratings? I couldn't find anything just googling.

[crokett]

My folks have an Amana about the same age as yours and like it a lot. I have a Whirlpool still going strong after 6 yrs. Dunno how much I paid for it. I did have to pull a sock out of the pump a few weeks ago.

[LCHIEN]

From Consumer Reports (if you want the full report, discussion of features, and ratings, you can subscribe to the online site for a month for $5):


CR Quick Recommendations Washing machines


Lower prices have helped traditional top-loading washers outsell more-efficient front-loaders; you'll find competent models that cost as little as $300 or so. But manufacturers are narrowing the gap with competent front-loaders priced well under $1,000. These less-expensive models tend to outperform high-efficiency top-loaders for the same price or less.
Compact machines and one-piece, stacked washer-dryer laundry centers are two alternatives for apartments and other tight spots. But the washers we tested, the Miele Touchtronic W1113 and Asko W6021, were relatively pricey. Laundry centers have also delivered mixed results. The $1,000 Frigidaire GLEH1642D we tested delivered fine drying, but washing was only fair. The reverse held for the $1,800 Maytag MLE2000AY version.
A better bet: Check our Ratings for dryers that can be stacked above compatible front-loading washers.
The Ratings rank washers by overall score. Quick Picks lists high-value models from reliable brands. Want a matched washer and dryer? You'll find a matching tested dryer for most of the CR Quick Pick washers below.



Quick Picks
Best for most people; competent top-loaders at a modest price:

• GE WBSR3140D[WW] , $300
• Whirlpool Gold GSQ9669L[W] , $500
• Whirlpool LSW9700P[Q] , $380, CR Best Buy


All three are fine values. The top-scoring Whirlpool Gold GSQ9669L[W] offers the best blend of performance and efficiency. The GE WBSR3140D[WW] and Whirlpool LSW9700P[Q], trade some performance for a lower price. Of the two, the Whirlpool is quieter, with automatic temperature control and an extra rinse cycle for dirtier loads. Matching dryers: Whirlpool GEW9878J[ ] , $480; GE DWSR405EB[ ], $400.
For more performance and efficiency:

• Kenmore (Sears) HE2 4646[2] , $850, CR Best Buy
• Whirlpool Duet GHW9150P[W] , $1100
• Kenmore (Sears) Elite HE3 4586[2] , $1100


These front-loaders cost less than most. The Kenmore (Sears) Elite HE3 4586[2] and Whirlpool Duet GHW9150P[W] share a similar design. The CR Best Buy Kenmore (Sears) HE2 4646[2] has slightly less capacity than the other two, but this model is among the lowest-priced front-loaders. Matching dryers: Kenmore HE4 8586[ ], $930; Whirlpool Duet GEW9250P[ ], $800; Kenmore HE2 8656[ ], $800.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

We have a Whirlpool Gold that we paid much less for than the price cited in the CR reports. It was purchased at Lowes. Couple years old and they are working fine.
Amana was supposed to be making excellent washers and dryers 7 years ago. They had some of best features you could get such as stainless steel baskets, etc. My parents bought a set about 7 - 9 years ago and it has been a wonderful set. My ex-wife and I bought a set 6 years or so ago. They were both terrible. Tub leaking, etc. Dryer problems. She kept them in the divorce.

[LYU370]

Check out Fisher & Paykel an Australian company. No transmission, direct drive. I love mine.

[onedash]

We have had a Kenmore He4T for about a year now. Love it. It takes longer to wash a load but uses very little water and I guess a lot less electricty and very little soap and bleach. Im sure it will pay for itself. It would have been cool to try and track it but that would be pretty hard I think. Another huge plus is that it holds a LOT of clothes. It also spins clothes at 1200 rpm so they get pretty dry. It can also heat the water to about 150 degrees I believe. I think we got it on black Friday for $1100. I think that was $400 off. It usually gets down to that price twice a year I think. Plus we got free delivery and no interest for 12 months. Our old washer still worked so we donated it. It was a Kenmore over 10 years old. It would be nice to have the matching dryer to stack on top but we just bought a Kenmore about 2 years ago.

[sinjams]

Well we have had a Maytag for about 15 years or so and it has stood up well. Do not know what I paid for it and have no idea what model it is but with two girls you can imagine the washings it has gone through. I have never had a repair man in to do anything with it. This is a top load machine with about 4 buttons for water temp and 4 buttons for load size. Not fancy but has been going and going.

[LCHIEN]

Well we have had a Maytag for about 15 years or so and it has stood up well. Do not know what I paid for it and have no idea what model it is but with two girls you can imagine the washings it has gone through. I have never had a repair man in to do anything with it. This is a top load machine with about 4 buttons for water temp and 4 buttons for load size. Not fancy but has been going and going.

our maytags were purchased in 1979 and we had two kids born, grew up and moved out in that time. I bought them because of the Consumer Rpeorts reliability ratings back then which mirrored the general reliable opinion of Maytag back then. They're still working and I don't recall having ever had to service them. Pretty much the standard features, nothing fancy.

Of course, maytag is no longer the company it once was, having gone chapter 13 and been bought by Whirlpool, I think.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

We have a Kenmore 60 Series with Extra Capacity, which Mark bought me the first year we were married because we were expecting the twins and I wasn't hauling two kids and a couple of baskets to the laundry mat anymore. After almost 12 years it is still going strong and we have only had to replace one part on it and that only cost us about 40.00 or so. But has been running strong for all these years. And I think we paid somewhere around 300.00 for it.

It was a Sears purchase. And the Extra Capacity is wonderful if you are doing a bunch of childrens clothes or actually anything, you don't have to worry about over loading it.

[vaking]

I have a Kitchenaid washer and a matching dryer. Large size, heavy duty, somewhat more expensive than Whirlpools. They are both 10 years old and I paid somewhere around $1100 if I am not mistaken for both together back then. Both are going strong. Kitchenaid is a higher end name also made by Whirlpool. They are better made than Whirlpool brand, brass fittings instead of aluminum, that type of difference.

[scmhogg]

LOML bought a new washer and dryer at HD. She selected an Admiral high capacity set. She was told that Admiral is now made by Maytag. The two units were very similar. The Maytag had a better drum and agitator, SS I think, but the guts were the same.

They were $3-400.00 each and LOML opened an account and got 10% off and a year to pay.

We are well satisfied with their performance and capacity.

Steve

[KenBurris]

Check out Fisher & Paykel an Australian company. No transmission, direct drive. I love mine.

Me too - got the cheaper of the 2 models at Lowes - @$630. huge capacity, spins @1000 rpm, clothes dry faster.

[alpha]

Front load

Front load. We bought the Kenmore 5 or 6 years ago. Works great. You'll offset some of the extra cost in using less water and soap. The spin dry cycle is much more effective than a top load. They spin at a much higher rpm and your clothes are nearly dry when your wash is finished. So, less time for your clothes in the 220 watt drier (or less gas usage). My wife loves it.