Are you limiting the search to around $800 for the pair or the washer only? The requirements you list would lead the traditional agitator top loading washing machines to the front of the list. Traditional top loaders will typically have fewer cycles, but it sounds like you use the basic Regular and Permanent Press cycles for the most part anyway. Front loaders are usually much quieter during the wash cycle, but the high spin speed makes them much more susceptible to vibration. (Especially on the 2nd floor.) (Especially, especially on pedestals). I've never known an owner of a front loader that didn't battle door mold unless the door was left open between uses. There are LOTS of front loader owners here and I'm sure they'll chime in if they're able to leave the door closed without mold issues. I have a Speed Queen washer (AWN542) and dryer (ADG4BR) I like very much. I've had them less than a year, so it's too early to judge their long term reliability. They do have a 3-year "bumper to bumper" warranty. They have a 5-year warranty on the cabinet and motor, a 10-year warranty on the transmission, and a lifetime warranty on the stainless tub and outer tub. They are decidedly old school, so they're not for everyone. The Speed Queen top loading washers and dryers don't have computer boards. They're probably the last quality manufacturer to use electromechanical timers to control the cycles. They use all metal gears in the transmission. I'm amazed how well balanced they spin, even with very small loads. Water in my area isn't especially expensive, scarce, or hard. Using a good quality detergent, my results are excellent. Like you, most of my wash loads are cottons and poly/cottons. I have gas water heater and a gas dryer, so they're quite economical to operate. The GardenWeb forum is heavily tilted toward front loading washers, especially the high end ones. That's understandable. Some of them have quite amazing technology and features. At the high end, front loaders command big price. I'm particular about getting clean clothes, especially whites, but for the most part, I just want a solid machine that will last 20 years. There are more exciting things for me to spend money on. There is a forum at automaticwasher.org that tilts a bit more toward top loaders. There's a guy who even posts videos of his Speed Queen wash cycles. I included the link to one below. Here is a link that might be useful: Speed Queen wash cycle video

It sounds like you have three issues to deal with: (1) How to sell this idea to the others in your co-op, especially the board; (2) What machines could work for this purpose; and (3) What machines that would work could provide a valid warranty and fast service for your 10-apartment co-op. I mean, personally, if I were you, I would locate a 24"x24" area somewhere in my apartment in which it might conceivably be possible to place either a washer/dryer combo with condenser dryer (since those don't need a vent, you can put them anywhere) or a stacked compact washer and condenser dryer... That would probably be much easier than successfully dealing with all three of the issues above. Not seeing your floorplan, I have no suggestions for you, but I really find it hard to believe that there is any middle-class American family who does not have a 24" by 24" area somewhere in their home that they could spare, in return for saving $1200(!!!) a year. If you could find the space in your apartment, you would not only save that money, you would also have the co-op's laundry facilities to fall back on for those rare occasions when your washer/dryer breaks and you have to wait a few days for parts, as is typically the case for residential machines. And also for those rare occasions when you have to wash something so disgustingly foul that you don't want to put it in your own appliance. I know space is tight in NYC, and whatever solution you find might be less than optimal, but for $1200 a year??? I think for that much money and convenience I could give up a closet, or repurpose one of the cabinets in my kitchen, or hell, put a washer-dryer combo unit next to the couch and call it an end table. :-) Here is a link that might be useful: A sampling of washer-dryer combo units

MM3615073 = 36th week of 2002 (it's sourced from Whirlpool; as you probably know, Kenmore is a brand label, products are sourced from other manufacturers). I found an online source $110 for the motor. It shouldn't take an experienced servicer more than an hr to do the job ... except for the stacked situation. Access is from the front, so there's possibility it doesn't need to be unstacked depending on the details ... in a recessed location, or clear to one or both sides. What's your evidence for the motor being bad? Other normal-wear items to check are the drum support rollers, belt idler, belt, and drum seals. No need to replace anything unless it's confirmed bad/worn. Friend gave a 35-years-old Kenmore dryer to me a couple years ago (with a 10-years old washer, needed a $15 part) that they were going to toss out. Dryer was "slow," they suspected the element being weak/bad ... but elements typically either work or not, they don't normally weaken over time toward coldness, so I suspected some other problem. Ended up the top-mount filter had a broken handle so it wasn't pushed fully down (or cleaned very often). The unit was clogged with lint from airflow bypassing the filter. I cleaned it up, replaced the filter and rear drum seal that was aged, sold it for $80. The belt, rollers, & idler were in excellent condition, probably had been serviced at some point in time (the element had been previously replaced). Anyway, the point is that the 35-years-old unit had/has some years of good usage left.

Agmss, I have the small portable Haier HLP21N. It is a very simple machine, no detergent dispenser or softener dispenser. It is a surprisingly effective washer. I think it may be the smallest of the portable Haiers at 1 cubic foot. It can hold 6 mens large t shirts or a king size sheet plus 1 pillow slip or 3 towels or 2 pair of jeans I hook it up to the kitchen sink, fill it with whatever temperature water I like and let er rip. I have a choice of High(6gal) Med (4gal) and Low(2). The cycles are Heavy,Quick wash and Normal. I have a batch of washcloths and hand towels soaking in it right now. It turns the clothes over very well and gets thing quite clean. The spin cycle works well and leaves the clothes about as dry as any other top loader. It has the same footprint as a kitchen chair and will fit under a kitchen counter when not in use. You might look at the reviews on Amazon , they are pretty extensive. There is a 2.1 cubic foot that might be more practical if you want to use it for the majority of your laundry. If you have any questions feel free to ask.