Well, I can answer the question about the HE detergent. I just purchased the non agitator set the other day. It DOES use the HE detergent. However, I checked the prices and the detergent was the same price as regular detergent. At least at the two stores that I check (for Tide Free HE).

Anyway, I haven't actually used my set yet because I'm not having ours delivered until we close on our home early next month.

I just sold our old Whirlpool set (about the same age of yours) with our other house so I'm nervous about the washers with the computer too.

When you say 6200 I hope you mean the dryer, because the 6200 washer DOES have an agitator. Only the 6400 and 6600 washers have the wash plate. If you are infact getting the HE cabrio then yes you do definitely want to use HE detergent. As stated it's not any more expensive so there's no reason to use the wrong detergent and risk damaging the machine. The cabrio is definitely a good choice though. More capacity than you will need for a large family but just enough to do specialty items like comforters. You save a lot of water with it as well, and in general whirlpool typically builds better laundry than GE. Just make sure that you use the right cycles for the right garmets.

Yes, sorry, the 6200 series I have decided on DOES have the agitator. Most of the bad reviews I had read were on machines with the washplate; not just the Cabrio, but other models, too, such as the Harmony.

Someone I know who has a FL told me she uses 1/2 to 1/4 the amount of regular detergent vs HE because it is the "same." Any truth to this?

Also, second poster, fyuute, do you have the Cabrio 6200 washer/dryer? Sounds like you do. How long have you had them, no problems then with yours?

The sales person at the Navy Exchange told me that some people DID say they used less of the regular detergent and it worked. However, she pointed out in the paperwork that comes with the washer that it says you should use HE detergent. Personally, I'm spending a lot on this set and I'm not willing to take the risk. I mean I will spend the same on detergent as I do now. THe way I look at it there must be some reason they suggest using the HE. Anyway, just my opinion though. Good luck with your decision.

HE detergent is not necessarily expensive. The Sears powdered varieties come out to about $.07/load if you get it on sale.

Got the All Free and Clear for HE washers today at Walmart; 62 load bottle for less than $7.00. Pretty good, I thought, for a free and clear variety, which I need for my infant daughter.

Now I just hope the set doesn't have any problems when I receive it. Just nervous with all the info I have read here and other places. :)

I have posted my my agitator-less Cabrio recently - do a search and you will see my postings. I really like the machine. I use HE detergent -- one time, and I was using HE detergent, a code flashed up and when I looked it up, it mean that suds were detected in the rinse and the machine added more water - something that defeats one reason for using these machines. I use so little detergent each wash it's not really an expense issue. I even use less than the measure on the HE detergent. Just buy it on sale. The only thing you need to watch is that if you wash one large heavy item, the machine will go off balance during the spin. So, wash two heavy items or you will be balancing out the load manually during the cycle.

I've had my new Cabrio for a week now and so far I like it. I hemed and hawed over what type of washing machine to get! After reading so many complaints about front loaders I was hesitant to buy one on top of the fact I didn't want to bend over all the time to put my wash in the machine and take it out and didn't think the pedestals were worth the extra money. I was back to a top loader. I have read a bunch of complaints about the cabrio too but I had a whirlpool before and had good luck with it so I decided to go with them. I've only used HE detergent in it and like the ALL detergent I bought well enough. I agree with the one person about the machine getting offline. I've had that happen to me twice so far. It is kind of annoying but I don't want my machine to break so I'd rather it stop and me realign the clothes. On the plus side it seems to hold twice as much clothes as my old machine and is super quiet. No vibration and it is on my main level next to my kitchen. I did buy the extended warranty since it is a new technology. Good Luck,
Carlee

HE detergent is not necessarily expensive. The Sears powdered varieties come out to about $.07/load if you get it on sale.

Again, to clarify, I am purchasing the one with the agitator, the 6200 washer/dryer.

Anyone with this machine would love your feedback. Purchasing through Lowe's, buying extended 5 yr warranty for $139.

I just found this forum and I'm now in the market for a new washer dryer and, like megsmom, I'm looking at the Cabrio 6200 (the one with the agitator). I'm concerned about the electronics issue as I know there have been problems with error messages on the 6400 and 6600 series. Megsmom, did you end up buying the 6200? If so, are you happy with it? I'd love input on this machine if anyone has it. Also, does this model also use HE or regular detergent. Thank you.

The Cabrio 6200 is not an HE machine and does not require HE detergent. It uses the same Direct Inject Wash System as the 6600, but the 6600 is HE. Check the whirlpool website.

Thank you for that information, chris61. My concern now is the "F51" error message everyone seems to be getting on their 6400 and 6600 machines. I haven't read if the same is happening on the 6200. I e-mailed Whirlpool to ask if the electronics are the same (please pardon my ignorance regarding this, but I haven't bought a new washing machine in 20 years), but haven't heard back from them yet.

As far as I know they all have the same electronics. I have the 6600 wash plate model. It works great, and I have not had any problems with it. I got it in March. I did get the extended warranty (I think I paid $90 for it at Lowes) because it made me feel more comfortable since I spent $800 on the washer.

If you look around this forum you will find people have complained about something on pretty much every machine available, so don't worry too much if you have heard a few bad things. People are much more likely to complain about something they dislike than to compliment something they do like.

Thanks, jcrowley99. That's great that you haven't had any problems and having the extended warranty definitely is peace of mind. As far as the 6200 model, most every review I've read has been positive. You've helped me feel better about my choice, thank you. But I will get the extended warranty as well :-).

The "F51" Rotor Position Sensor error code affects the following Cabrio models: MTW6300T, MTW6500T, MTW6600T, WTW6200S, WTW6300S, WTW6400S, WTW6600S only if the serial number range is is CU13 or prior. Any Cabrio with a serial number after CU13 has a redesigned (reprogrammed) electronic control. This new control is designed to check the RPS sensor differently and is less sensitive to intermittent RPS connections which cause the "F51" error. Is it a permanent fix? Only time will tell. I own a Cabrio 6600 with a serial number greater than CU13 and have not experienced the error. The whole problem stems from corrosion that sometimes forms on some connections to the RPS sensor. A more permanent fix, in my opinion, would have been to redesign the connectors so that they don't corrode. But in this day and age it is much easier to mask most electronic issues by changing the software to make you believe the problem doesn't exist. Anyhow, the Cabrio does a great job and I really like it. My last washer (a Maytag) lasted 25 years. I think we can all forget about the "newer" machines lasting even 1/3 of that time. Just my $0.02, YMMV.

Hi,

So far I have not read much on this forum about the Cabrio 6200 "agi".
I have now had it for 6 months.

It has been a reliable machine thus far.
It can handle very large loads.
It does a hot wash - not a dumbed down one.
It uses regular detergent.
It spins clothes very dry.
It does use alot of water but if you choose the Automatic water level button it will sense how much water you need and add accordingly.

That is about the only drawback (water amount). But you can wash so much in 1 load that you probably do less loads and that may mean less water usage for you.
One more drawback - no glass lid!!!!!!

Hope this helps those who are choosing this less common Cabrio model as their new washer.

It's a shame that Whirlpool doesn't offer a glass lid version of their agitator Cabrio, but the lid that comes with this washer should be interchangeable with the glass lid on the high end HE Cabrio, so you could always switch it out. You'd have to buy a new glass lid to swap with though, so you'll really have to want it bad to pay the money.

Everyone has been so helpful here, thank you. Reading these posts has made me even more confident in my choice of the Cabrio 6200. It will be nice having a brand new washing machine after using hand-me-downs for so long. The negatives mentioned (no glass lid and using more water) is not a deal breaker for us. Thank you again.