Washing machine shot craps

[Steve67]

As the title suggest I need a new washing machine so what’s you all’s favorite brand. By the way I don’t have $1000 to spend on the latest and greatest. Only three people in the house so just a basic reliable machine. Thanks for any input.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Get one of the 'old skool' units, aka 'top loader' version,with manual dials.
probably all made by the same company....
All the 'new style' front loaders have mold/seal problems, sooner than later.

Last one I bought ,used of course, of the next was $50 ( going price...), maybe 12-14 years ago.

 

[lynnmor]

As the title suggest I need a new washing machine so what’s you all’s favorite brand. By the way I don’t have $1000 to spend on the latest and greatest. Only three people in the house so just a basic reliable machine. Thanks for any input.

My opinion is that they are all cheap disposable junk. I would try to find an old one that appears to be in good condition. Failing that, just buy one with a real agitator. You have the right idea about selecting a basic model, most of the guts are the same regardless how much you spend.

 

[Henro]

My opinion is that they are all cheap disposable junk. I would try to find an old one that appears to be in good condition. Failing that, just buy one with a real agitator. You have the right idea about selecting a basic model, most of the guts are the same regardless how much you spend.

Couple years ago we had the same issue. Not sure I would want to buy used though.

We went to HD and maybe one place else, and the wife chose a basic model, that was a top loader. Still more exotic that what I would like, but that is life today.

The one we bought does not have an old fashioned agitator. BUT it still works fine.

Been a couple years. Cost was in the $500 range.

Agree that today these things are now disposable items. But still I would like to think they will last 10 years for the most part, unless one is unlucky. 2 down 8 to go here...LOL

 

[ddavis83864]

I've had great luck with both LG and Maytag. We had a great set of Maytag washer/dryers but we moved and gave them to a neighbor. Replaced them with a set from LG at the new home. Very happy with them.

Hope you are able to find something you will enjoy.

 

[jkrubi12]

F R I G I D A I R E !

My Frigidaire washer & dryer set are 22 years young and still going strong!

'Old school', top load with dials....Just like GJ said!

 

[OrangeKrush]

My opinion is that they are all cheap disposable junk. I would try to find an old one that appears to be in good condition. Failing that, just buy one with a real agitator. You have the right idea about selecting a basic model, most of the guts are the same regardless how much you spend.

Exactly.. Cheaply made inside and out! I wish you could still get the old Kenmore, I think thats it! We give our late 80s model to my brother in law in 92 93 and he's still using it. Been through 3-4 sets since. I've always had good luck with Whirlpool so we just purchased the old dial type, works ok but the metal is so thin it's like handling an over size beer can.

 

[johnjk]

We have an LG top load no agitator. Does a good job and has been working well for the last seven years. Low water usage and does a good job. It replaced a front load Whirlpool that self destructed after 4 yrs

 

[BruceP]

Consider a decent USED machine. They cost FARRRR less than new and can last for many-many years.

Places to get used machines:

• ReSource (they have stores all over the nation)
• Private-sale
• Some appliance dealers specialize in re-cycling used machines.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I'm not sure you can get a consumer washer with a real agitator anymore, due to energy/environmental regs. They're not made for people that really get their clothes dirty.

Speed Queen makes an old-fashion commercial washer, but it's somewhat over $1,000 now I think.

 

[Grindstone]

I used to go by consumer reports and reviews and try to buy whichever brand was the "best." Well after getting screwed with the "best" based on reviews I go cheap as I can and havent been disappointed yet. I prefer the top loader with agitator instead of the fancy lets not even get our clothes wet cause we use a thimble full of water. Right now I have an Amana and havent been disappointed. My wife and kids put it through its paces as well.

 

[mcfarmall]

The service tech that fixes our junk appliances says buy the cheapest one because they last the same length of time as the top of the line ones. My high end Whirlpool Duet washer failed just 2 months shy of its third birthday. Cost to repair exceeded 50% of new.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Look for an old Maytag. Mine is about 50 years old and still running well. Some parts are hard to come by, but so far not needed.

 

[Daren Todd]

I would recommend going with one with the old school agitator in the middle.

We went with a fancy top load that didn't have the center agitator.

We had to fight with it constantly when washing blankets. Washer ended up clapping out and springing a leak after about 3 years. I hated that washer. It wasn't a matter if the load would get unbalanced, it was a matter of when.

We went old school and cheap on the next one. Has the center agitator, and a lot less fighting with loads getting unbalanced. Can still wash a king sized blanket in it.

Believe it's a GE, and cost around $350 when we purchased it. Noticed they have gone up to around $500ish now.

 

[ctfjr]

Look for an old Maytag. Mine is about 50 years old and still running well. Some parts are hard to come by, but so far not needed.

Got us beat
We moved into this house in 1988. The original Maytag washer and drier still going.

 

[NCL4701]

Similar experience to others here. About 10 years ago, wife got a nice LG front loader she’d been wanting for some time. She had (mostly) silently hated it from beginning to end. It dumped water all over the floor at 10 years and I might could have fixed it but she was so thrilled there might be an excuse to replace it I declared it a total loss and chucked it out the door. She was almost giddy when we literally kicked it off the truck at the dump.

Got a high efficiency top loader, which was what she wanted. Then she hated that and the store agreed to take it back to swap for a basic old style machine two days later with the cost difference refunded on a store gift card. Was kind of surprised they took it back (I wouldn’t have) but now she’s happy so whatever.

 

[lugbolt]

if you have any mechanical knowledge, they aren't too bad to repair them (if it's mechanical). If the board is bad, replace the board. That is, IF the parts aren't more expensive than a new warsher.

Maytag has a (I think) 10 yr warranty on the transmission, so if you have a maytag and the transmission is shot, a repair facility may be able to help you. Worth mentioning.

Yes to the top load. Mine was free, seal was leaking. I took the transmission out and put a seal kit in it-$13. Been great for the 11 years I've had it but it only gets used a couple times a week at the most. I live alone so laundry isn't a big deal.

 

[mcmxi]

I bought an LG front loading washer and dryer in November of 2011 that I still use and they've been flawless. When I bought this place in 2014 it came with an old Kenmore top loading washer and dryer. I took the dryer to dump but kept the washer and use it for the nasty stuff such as dog bedding, work clothes etc.

 

[jyoutz]

There is still one fully US made brand that isn’t disposable junk: Speed Queen. They are made in Wisconsin with metal gears instead of nylon and the company boasts a 25 year average lifespan. We bought the basic top loader with dial gauge: no computer electronics to frizz out from a power surge. But you can only buy them at independent appliance dealers, not big box stores. They have a dealer locator on the website.

 

[OrangeKrush]

There is still one fully US made brand that isn’t disposable junk: Speed Queen. They are made in Wisconsin with metal gears instead of nylon and the company boasts a 25 year average lifespan. We bought the basic top loader with dial gauge: no computer electronics to frizz out from a power surge. But you can only buy them at independent appliance dealers, not big box stores. They have a dealer locator on the website.

Thanks for posting.. that'll come in handy next time we need one. You're right I've never seen them at any stores..