Glad I found this question as I have spent the day researching washers myself. I called the local Maytag store where I JUST purchased a new gas range and dishwasher and they have the Maytag Epic and the Frigidaire Afinity... read a lot of bad things about the Epic, but the Affinity, which is also 200 cheaper for the set, seems to have some decent ratings... but I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say.

Remember, this is a laundry forum. People who are obsessed with laundry post here, as well as those who are unhappy. Regular, well-adjusted folks who are happy with their washers do not come here very often :) Except me, of course. My Duet Sport HT is almost 4 years old with no problems - no smell, no mold, no repairs. Most machines are like that. You just hear about the unhappy people, many of whom are the cause of the problems.

I would decide how much you want to spend and what features you need and then look for a bargain. Just be sure you have a good return policy in case vibration is a problem or you get a machine that has been dropped. It is rare but it happens. They travel a long way.

Good luck with your shopping!

Good advice so far from oregpsnow. People tend to exaggerate here a lot to hype their favorite. There's a few who literally must put their machines on an alter and pray to it nightly from their comments. I'm still running a 30+ year old toploader and am very happy with it. It meets my needs.

One thing I think is fair to say is the mold issues and the shredding issues are exaggerated quite a bit. Yes it happens in some, but it's the exception rather than the norm. If you don't let your machine air out, you'll probably get mold, especially if you live in a damp climate. If you don't load the machine properly, you'll possibly get damage. Overloading is bad for both types. You need to learn how to use either type of machine properly.

My advice is, make a list of your priorities and look for a compatible machine. Look for who can service it in your area. If you can't get service you're going to be unhappy. Not all machines are easily serviced in all areas. Consider what cycles you use, and maybe want. The one thing I would like is an extra rinse option. Other than that, mine has everything I need. I don't need fancy options, don't need steam and don't need it to sing to me.

My needs and wants likely will be different from yours so for me to suggest a machine isn't always good advice. Do you prefer one style over the other? Personally, I would since I have trouble bending over for the front load. You might not have this issue. What kind of capacity do you need? Do you need a heater?

There's a lot of threads here. So take a grain of salt, or a fistful and read through some to get ideas on features that are liked and see if they appeal to you. Maybe you're like me and just need a basic machine to clean clothes.

BTW, congratulations to you! You're one of the first, at least in a long time, who actually considered budget before asking what to buy! Most people have budget restrictions and then can't figure out when someone says to buy a $2000+ machine that they can't afford. Budget should always be first consideration. Needs should be second, and wants as third.

It can be frustrating, but consider it a learning experience. Good luck in your education!

cynic, oregpsnow:

thanks for responding...all those washers i have listed are under $700 and can be purchased locally through an appliance dealer (which i'm leaning towards) or a big box store. I don't have a preference for style, either TL or FL would do fine, they just have to clean the clothes. Each one has a capacity of 4.0 cf or a little more...one thing is can a king size comforter fit...we'll have to wait and see.
I had the suspicion that most claims are exaggerated and i'm not really going to worry about perceived quality issues.
If i'm going to list my priorities of what i want apart from monetary, it would be
1: does it clean
2: does it clean
3: does it fit a king size comforter

#3 is what has made my decision to look at these new HE top loaders with the 'saucer' shaped agitators and not the conventional agitators. I don't think i need a heater, the old Maytag didn't have one and it did a great job of cleaning. As far as all these different washing cycles, i really don't know if i need em...nice to have em, but i suspect that once the novelty wears off i will hardly use em. Maybe the extra spin cycle would be nice. I'm going to look at these this weekend and see who's going to give me the best bargain.
The geek in me says' LG or Bosch
The practical in me says Bravo/Cabrio/Duet
The thrifty in my says GE

should be a good internal fight going on...lol

If you ever plan on repairing them yourself, check availabilty of service manuals and parts.

GE & Bosch good luck trying to find service manuals ...
Bosch parts availabilty ? ? ?
GE parts prices ... some 3x other brands prices... same part

hi regus,

GE parts are 3X the price? I would of thought the opposite...why would that be? I would of surmised the LG and the Bosch would be expensive to repair, seeing as they are Korean and German made.
Now, i have seen this video on youtube where some guy pulled apart a whirlpool front loader, and he showed how the 'spider assembly'(?) was corroding badly and it was the cause of his 6 year old washers demise. Aluminum and stainless steel is a bad recipe for corrosion. I have to wonder if i can squeeze 14 years out of anything i purchase these days.

If you care about wash temperature, then a heater is important in a high-efficiency washer, for at least two reasons:

Reason 1 (applies to everyone): Smaller quantity of incoming hot water means smaller heat content. Some of that heat is used to warm up the load and the tub, resulting in a temperature drop.

Reason 2 (applies to some installations): If your hot water runs cold at first, then the initial cold run will make up a larger proportion of the smaller fill of a high-efficiency washer, resulting in a cooler wash.

Hi
If I may give my opinion on my washer. I purchased the Bravo 750 for $699.00 on sale. I bought it in November and have loved every minute of it. Yes it does king size comforters. Its a learn learn situation on how much detergent to use, etc. I put the clothes in like little piles around the impeler (spelling in other words there is no agitator) and no problem with twisted clothes in fact it takes less time to dry because of less water in the garment. I wish you luck in your purchase.

I have the LG2101 washer and gas dryer - and I LOVE them both

Everyone,
Thanks for all your responses...i was hoping to have it purchased by now, there was a very good sale two weekends ago...but i'm still dealing with issues due to unemployment of 11 months and just recently getting employed (thank God!)...the bills come first which right now leaves very little.
SuburbanMd...
your reason #2 is something i have already dealt with, in all my appliances i.e. DW and Washer...i always run hot water through the sink first, then start up my washing. :) But your first is valid. I've never used HE before, and i'm willing to learn...

The best thing you can do to get a feel for reliability is to talk with some sales people at a few stores. They will tell you customer feedback (both good and bad), and what they have had the most returns of. If you have a trusted repair person, speak with him or her also.

For someone to state that claims and complaints are exaggerated is absurd. Especially when they have had no personal experience with the models being complained about. Listen to the people who actually have some of the washers you are considering. You will hear the good as well as the bad. You will see a trend.

I have liked my Whirlpool Duet washer, but it has had some major issues. I would not purchase another Duet. I do like my front loader for less water usage, sanitizing cycle, and the fact that it has done a great job cleaning my handmade quilts and king size comforters. The silk cycle has been wonderful on delicate silks.

Front loaders do have some reliability issues, and consumer reports will tell you the same thing. Hopefully, by the time I need to purchase another set, some of the problems will be ironed out.

The complaint I've heard about the top loaders these days is that the incoming water temperature is not hot enough when they need hot. They all have automatic temperature control systems to comply with energy standards. It's too bad they don't have an on board heater like the front loaders do. If someone has been ill, hot water is needed. You also cannot wash comforters in them. Other than that, they are very reliable if you stick with a very basic model.

If I were purchasing a new set, I would strongly consider Samsung or LG, just based on what feedback I've heard from people who work appliance sales. I looked at the Samsungs last night at Lowes, and really like how sturdy they looked. They didn't have any LG models, but Sears does. Maybe Home Depot does as well.

Once you settle on the brand, look at a few models within that brand. A less expensive model with fewer bells and whistles is usually as good as the most expensive version. Ask whether it has the same basic parts as the more expensive one. A good sales person will be able to tell you. More expensive doesn't automatically equate to better quality overall, and I have found less bells and whistles makes for less to go wrong. I do feel you would want one with an onboard water heater.

HE models are not difficult to use. They are no more difficult to use than any other washing machine. Like any machine, always leave some head room so that the clothing can move freely during the wash cycle. Read the owners manual and follow the directions. Use only HE detergents. Many people here like the powdered forms the best, but you will find what you like after trying a few out.

You may want to consider just replacing the belt on your Maytag. The belt has worn and the pulley is now slipping. This is the screech your hearing. The belt is easy to replace and the $20.00 investment is much cheaper than a new washer.

jakvis - you are certainly correct. It is much cheaper but not as much fun. :) After 14 years they may be ready for a shiny machine with lots of buttons and a fancy display. Heck - they even come in colors now. Might even save a little energy and water. too.

I don't want to open a big can of worms, but I will comment that I wouldn't dream of buying a new washer without a 5-year service contract. Laundry appliances, at least the ones at the OP's budget level, are not made "like they used to be."

I have a ten-year-old set of Kenmore Elites, they are a very good W and D, but they have been repaired at least once a year or more since they were new. I would be way in the hole if they weren't under a service contract.

Sears charges an arm and leg for a service contract at the time of purchase, I don't know about the other big box stores. I'm going to purchase a Bravos set soon (we're moving and it doesn't make sense to take old W/D cross country). I'm buying from an independent appliance store in my new state, they charge $109 for a 5-year contract and they do the work themselves.

As others mentioned, be sure you can get service for the washer you choose at your home.

Jakvis,

I've actually looked underneath the Maytag, on first inspection the belts looked good, not loose at all. If i felt confident this would fix i would do it and buy my wife a washer she would enjoy. I go to this a site that sells appliance parts so it would be easy...just not confident that is the problem. Of course, i'm no repair guy...what do i know.

As for a service contract...after reading this site and taking into account all the problems that have been stated...a service contract may be in order. It doesn't seem to matter which brand or what level of cost something is purchased, they all have had their issues. A washer model that has been around a few years and had the kinks worked out maybe something to consider as well.

The belts look tight but they are worn. Maytag used a slipping pulley clutch system. Meaning the motor pulley intentionally slips on the belt allowing the spin basket to slowly catch up to the motor speed. After 14 years of use your belt is narrower in thickness and now glazed which causes the screeching noise.
Think of it this way... for under $20 you can get your washer working again and then not be pressured to buy the first deal you see. Consider it research time. You can still do laundry while you search out the best deals.

Jakvis,

you're absolutely right...i will replace it and hopefully it will work again. Keep fingers crossed...

I'm pretty sure this is the issue. It's a matter of odds. Probably 9 times out of 10 the problem you described is the belt on a Maytag washer. Of course my diagnosis is only as good has my hands on inspection of your machine :^)
Many times when someone buys a new washer and we haul away their old Maytag, we change the belt, clean up the machine, and give it a full check out then resell it in our used room.

As sandy808 pointed out, talk to repair person. When we were ready to purchase our next set, our repair person give us the lowdown on the three we were considering purchasing. Since they only do repair work, he didn't have a stake in what we bought. With his advice we narrowed our choice down to the Whirlpool Cabrio and we love it.

Purchasing service contracts is, indeed, controversial among people. I'm not a big fan of them, but I have a husband who is able to fix things. If I didn't have him, I might feel differently.

One piece of advice to those who feel more comfortable purchasing a service contract or extended warranty with a new appliance..... While some are excellent, they are not all good. Read the fine print and be sure you understand exactly what is covered before purchasing it. You may find someone else has a better deal and covers more. I have also had sales people not tell me the truth, though that has been rare.

dianne47, I think you'll be happy dealing with a nice local appliance store. They usually give wonderful, personal service. If they didn't they wouldn't be around too long. $109 sounds reasonable for a service contract.

So what was the outcome of your conundrum?
Inquiring minds want to know.