IMO that Maytag model is too restricted on water level control ... basically has none. The cycles are hardwired for either a full fill (Towels, Powerwash, Delicates, and Mixed in the "Deep Water" selections) or approximately a half-fill (Normal). Any of those are wayy too much water for one or a couple/three items of clothing.

Thanks Dadoes, I think we might be going over there later today to move the old washer into the laundry room main floor, and get rid of the 2 year old Whirlpool top loader that she says doesn't work and a service call fixed it for 2 cycles. I don't know the model number but can get it and share. I don't know what to think about a 2 year old washer that is out of service already. She had done a lot of laundry with it.

Ooops, I scanned the OP quickly. I was referring to the MVWP575GW regards to limited water level control. It's based on a coin-op model, which those by nature have limited options, and this one doesn't do much, if anything, regards to auto-sensing the load size. MVWC415 also doesn't have a load size / water level control but it presumably has auto-sensing that for load size .... along with the one specific Deep Water Wash cycle, and also Bulky/Sheets.

When I talked to the appliance guy, he said that the mvwc415 was auto-sensing, but could be over ridden by pushing a button, iirc.

I don't see such a button on the panel per MT's web info. Just the designated Deep Water Wash cycle that will override load sensing.

I have a friend with a 3 year old Whirlpool TL and it has been serviced 3 times. Last time tech told her to junk it and get another that it's not worth fixing.

Jeez. It is any wonder our landfills are heaped up? Good luck, enduring. I hope you can find her something. We live in fear of Mom’s old school GE laundry center dying. She loves her old fashioned “dasher,” which is what she calls the agitator, for some reason.

A few now in extended family have bought a GE Deep fill with agitator for the reason they were looking for something that operated much like the old Maytag 606 models. One BIL bought two for just under $1000, that should make it fall pretty close to your price range. I don't know what kind of discount he may have been given (preferred treatment) at the appliance store - it was a dedicated appliance store and not a box store. He'd just built a weekend home with two full kitchens and bought higher end kitchen appliances from them too.

Isn't the "dasher" what is in an ice cream maker or a butter churn? Same function as the agitator!

"JulieBoulangerie: Isn't the 'dasher' what is in an ice cream maker or a butter churn? Same function as the agitator!"

Yes. Had a customer back in the day with a machine that had an agitation issue. She said at the service visit, "The dasher won't dash."

Thanks for all your comments. Here is what we did. We went over and looked at her situation. I kind of took control of the plan, which was to get the main floor machine out and bring the old Maytag up into its spot. I didn’t care too much what it looked like. We got there and I started cleaning up the old Maytag and DS and DS2 got the old one loaded into the truck. There was a fair amount of rust on the bottom sides of the machine. It has a suds saver option. We hose clamped a plug into the suds hose that she haven’t used in 26 years. Put new h/c hoses on and used the drain hose from the whirlpool to drain. The toe kick is somewhat rusted and visible. I thought some contact paper would cover that up, like white or black.

outa here:

To reclaim a place of honor:

MIL was so relieved to have this machine upstairs. She was going up and down the basement stairs for the last 2 months! It was dangerous and really taking its tol emotionally. I felt so good that we were able to remedy this situation without buying something that she wouldn’t be happy with. She was just assuming that she needed new. She loved it as we ran an empty cycle to see how it was working in its new location. The levelers have long been rusted stuck, but there was no rocking so I hope it can take a load of clothes without walking.

Thanks again for you comments and support. One happy Grandma.

Dear enduring, You and your family have good, loving hearts. Your kindness almost brings tears to my eyes.

That old machine probably works better than anything made in the last 20 years! Nice story

I am impressed that she has two set ups-one in the basement and the one upstairs. You are a great DIL to make this happen. She should be happy with the Maytag, and it will be worth a service call in the near future to keep it up and running if need be. None of the new TLs are as good and faithful as the old ones-my new SQ included.

It goes without saying that nobody posting here would ever be an old lady, right?

She could probably sell that old washer at a massive profit, people are so desperate for something that works. :-)

Thanks you guys. You are all so kind. Any yes @embothrium, no old ladys here! DMIL is a very well loved matriarch.

She doesn't have 2 setups downstairs and one upstairs (that be me, but that's a different story ;) She only had one set downstairs and one upstairs. Now, just the single set for the upstairs.

Now THAT is a Maytag, honey! I have a matched set from 1978 that is still rocking on. That seems like a win-win situation.....A real Maytag and the safety of your MIL. :)