That's great to hear gardenspuds. Hope you get many years of trouble free service with yours.

Have my pair over a year now and also hope to get many years of good service. From the last manufacturer of true HEAVY DUTY laundry appliances made in the U.S.A. .

I am going to add my review to yours -- I have had the 432 model for a couple weeks now. I chose they 432 because I didn't really understand the difference between the 432 and the 542 but I did want the extra rinse option.

Anyhow, the good...
-The cycles are super fast. Every load of laundry I've done has been done in 30 minutes. Honestly, my dryer can hardly keep up with it!
-Love that the lid does not lock. I like to take a peek and make sure I've added enough detergent and the water level is high enough. (not sure why it stops agitating -- I could watch my 10 year old Maytag wash the clothes).
- It's simple. I wanted a machine that my 14 year old could use without getting into trouble.

Now for the not so good...
-Cycles are super fast -- but sometimes I wonder if it actually washed the clothes long enough. The rinse cycle is particularly short which some people may not like.
-It does not fill to the top. This was not a problem until I put a set of king size sheets in there. Could have used more water. I used the reset feature to add more but the manual does warn against doing this (could cause the washer to overflow - not sure how).

What I am unsure of:
-Still not sure why it says to put detergent in the washer, then the clothes, then start. I like to dissolve my detergent in the water before adding clothes. Is there some reason I can't do this?
- The Delicate cycle -- I only used it once and I wonder if there is something wrong. It barely agitates and spends most the cycle just sitting there soaking. Maybe its idea of delicate is not actually washing the clothes!

Overall, I am pleased but I'd rather have my 10 year old Maytag still working and have $800 in my bank account!

"It does not fill to the top"

This is to comply with efficiency regulations that did not exist back when your Maytag was made. You can easily change the fill level yourself. See YouTube for details.

I raised the water level on mine following the instructions on a YouTube video shortly after the washer was installed.
As far as the lid switch.There is a lever inside the right rear overhang behind the cycle dial. It is above the discharge hose. I folded a piece of cardboard and wedged it in; no kids around, so it is safe.
These machines can be modified pretty easily. I have also been thinking about modifying the hot water valve also. But for now I will leave well enough alone.
Besides those minor things, a blessing from God to own and operate.

The Delicate Cycle is working as it is supposed to. Agitate/Soak Agitate/Soak.

If you need a bit more agitation try the Permanent Press cycle.

WARNING: UPDATE: BEFORE USING YOUR NEW SPEED QUEEN...

Update to my review: I noticed a little bit of grey "gook" in a ring at the top of the washer drum after doing 3 loads. I took a rag and had to use a lot of elbow grease to get it off. I then remembered a thread somewhere here, and found that the drum is supposed to be cleaned out before using with an all purpose cleaner and rag. The installation guy didn't do this, and didn't tell me to do this.

The installation instructions do state this should be done before use to get rid of "shipping dust". Actually, I think it is probably "machine dust" or metal dust, from manufacture. I am not bothered by this, some of the tools I use in my wool hobby have had machine dust, and I had to clean before using.

Thankfully, none of my clothing in those initial 3 loads were soiled, including a white cotton summer blouse- it is as white as when I bought it a month ago. that was in load #2, a delicate cycle load.

Still loving this Speed Queen, and since I cleaned out the drum really good with a spray cleaner and rag, haven't had the ring at the top of the drum reappear...

stir_fryi: That is so funny. You don't like the way the delicate cycle doesn't agitate much, and I LOVE this. The way detergent works is it binds with the soil and fats, and the water washes the dirt away. Agitation is good for heavily soiled items, but a good soak with light agitation for delicate items is all they really need. I am really happy with the delicate cycle, my clothing with very delicate fabric will hopefully last longer.

I am looking forward to trying the handwash cycle with my wool socks- which are labeled "machine washable", but I find they last longer with less pilling if I hand wash, but being able to "handwash" in a machine would save me so much time! I will monitor during the "Handwash" cycle, and if it's not much agitation at all, I may be able to use it for my handknit socks, shawls and sweaters! That would be heaven for me...

And about the way you add detergent and clothing- I think it is fine, I do mine the same way. They had to write the instructions someway- and had to just choose. For most people, it's probably just easier to just add everything, set the knob, and walk away. But it is best to add the detergent first, with or without water, so it's not sitting concentrated on fabric at the top of the load- some people might instinctively add clothing first and detergent on top. Most people aren't laundry geeks like we on this forum, my friends thing I'm a little weird for watching people doing laundry on you tube, and think it's strange that I belong to a laundry forum...

Just read the instructions- should have done that before actually doing my first load, it clearly states to clean the drum before use!!!

And this is why so many folks have trouble with their appliances. READ THE "USE AND CARE GUIDE" FIRST!

markb- Yes, I should have read the manual first!

I feel like a fool for not doing this. I did read the manuals cover to cover when I moved into our house 7 years ago and there was a Bosch front loading HE machine- never had one of those before. Or when I got the LG HE top loader 3 yrs ago- read manual cover to cover before first use.

I didn't read the SQ manual first because of two reasons: 1. The delivery guy spent a good hour installing, and explaining the features of the machine in great detail. But he never mentioned cleaning out the drum first. 2. This is an "old school" top loader, and I'm old enough to have had a few of these machines in my life in the past- this SQ machine feels familiar. I was without a machine for over a week, and my husband had just come home from a week long trip- there was lots of laundry piled up, so I just took the plunge and put in a load as soon as the delivery guy left!

I made a mistake by not reading the users manual first! There is some good information in there, and while I now have the drum cleaned out, I could have had it cleaned out before even doing my first load!

So everyone, learn from my mistake, read the manual first!

I just bought the AWN542 after many positive reviews on this site and Consumer Reports (boy did they miss on their review). I second always read the manuals on whatever you buy so you can understand how the appliance works and what to do in an emergency.

I read the manual and cleaned the washer as specified in the manual. The was quite a bit of "factory dust" that was removed which I know is from the manufacturing process. I was quite happy to do it as the drum felt solid as I cleaned it as opposed to my current machine whose drum sort of flexes when touched. I must admit that the installer also told me to clean the washer before the first wash. He also adjusted the fill level at installation to max at the top row of holes. I guess buying at a local store (not a big box or internet) does have it's upside in service and price as I got the washer on sale.