Our Maytag washer finally died. I can't really complain since it was a hand me down from my MIL and is about 25 years old. Are current Maytags as durable?

I have been looking at Craigslist and there are quite a few available in all price ranges. What brands should I look at? I seem to recall that most of the major brands are made by two or three manufacturers. I would like something dependable since getting it in and out is going to be a real chore. I may go ahead and replace the dryer as well since it has started to squeak and the wife would probably like a matching set anyway.

I saw a nice matched Maytag Neptune set, but I know nothing about them. Anybody have a pair? What is the advantage of a front load washer and is the capacity adequate on them? How about the cleaning ability? I remember going to the laundromat in college and cramming a bunch of clothes and a little soap in the front loaders but I was using the commercial supersize ones so I am not sure how the home units compare.

Any help or advice is welcome.


BT

I bought a new front load washer a year ago. Sorry, can't think of the name.
The capacity of the drum was the same as the washer it replaced.
I went front load solely due to the less water it uses. (My cesspool is over 70 years old and I can't find the "new" one that was never connected).
I have no evidence that it washes any better or worse than the old top loader.
Maybe less wear and tear on fabric, again, no solid evidence.

One other very important consideration for me was a reversable door. The washer is in a corner. So's the plumbing.

Maytag is now among the worst brands for reliability according to Consumer Reports and users opinions.

Go to a Lowes and see if they have a Fisher-Paykel set in stock. It is a top-loader but still extremely efficient. I love my set.

Also look at the laundry forum at: [ths.gardenweb.com]

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

Washers make the biggest difference when it comes to energy efficiency and reliability. Dryers are all pretty much the same...though gas is always way cheaper to operate than electric.

On washers, Maytag has a very bad rep. I'm another Fisher & Paykel booster...great machines It's unusual in that an F&P is a top loader with good efficiency. It also has very few parts due to the innovative drive mechanism so it would be easy to fix if it broke. For all the other brands, top loader = low efficiency, front loader = high efficiency. I don't really like front loaders from a convenience standpoint, because you have to bend down and drag your laundry out (and onto the floor if you're not careful) but you can stack them.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Another Fisher Paykel user....very happy user.

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“Live your life, love your life, don’t regret…live, learn and move forward positively.” – CR Johnson
Loving life in Lake Tahoe, CA

our Maytag pooped a few years back after 20 years. We also needed a new range. We bought a Maytag/Jenn-Air. Works well, built like $h1t.
It'll be a while before I buy Maytag again. But the chance for improvement exists because Whirlkpool now owns it. But it'll take a couple eyars I'd bet.

We ended up with a Kenmore Elite pair, probably built by Whirlpool.
Very expensive, but very efficient in every way. Built like a tank.
The same kind of front loaders are available now that are a bit smaller in size and price.
But spending thee $ there will not raise eyebrows when I update the home entertainment system to all esoteric tubes. heh, heh, heh

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.



Nobody remembers their first download, but everyone remembers their 1st LP.

How much are you looking to spend? I have a Hotpoint pair (gas dryer) that cost me $650 or so that I like very much. For $850 or so you can get a nice pair of Whirlpools. Everyone I know who has the Whirlpools loves them. Both sets are top loaders.

Edit--I bought mine from a neighborhood appliance store. The owner steered me away from Maytags even though he sells them and I went in looking for them. He said he got too many of the Maytags back, but everyone liked the Hotpoints.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2006 07:10PM by Gutenberg.

We have a two year old set of gas front loader washer and electric dryer (Didn't know there was a gas one) of Kenmore brand from SEars. No problems thus far. My aunt owns a one year old set of Maytag washer/dryer. All sorts of problems, i.e. water leakage, thundering noises, etc.

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SoCal for now.

Well, I know that the Fisher Paykel are nice units but unfortunately I haven't seen any used. I am looking for used, and would like to keep the purchase at $300 or less. If Whirlpools have a decent reputation then I guess that's what I will look for. I found this on Craig's List (EDIT: LINK REMOVED) and I emailed the guy. The pair is still available and he can help me load it, which is a big plus. Any thoughts?

EDIT: nevermind on that one. I read some online reviews and they don't seem very positive.

I am gonna keep looking. After reading about the cost savings with high efficiency units, I may increase the budget and just go for a washer for now.


BT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2006 08:00PM by Baby Tats.

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davester
... I don't really like front loaders from a convenience standpoint, because you have to bend down and drag your laundry out (and onto the floor if you're not careful) but you can stack them.

But virtually all driers I have seen are front loaders, so you do have to bend down and drag the laundry in and out. Why not bend down for the washer as well, if it is more efficient (and I think it also washer better that top loaders).

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Baby Tats
I am gonna keep looking. After reading about the cost savings with high efficiency units, I may increase the budget and just go for a washer for now./quote]

Good move. If you have a family, then the cost of extra energy for a low efficiency washer/dryer will vastly outweigh any savings you get from the original purchase price. One thing that many folks overlook is that the biggest cost savings from getting a high efficiency water are: 1) the savings from not heating the extra water; and 2) the savings in dryer heating costs from having the clothes spun-dried in the washer. On regular cycles, the Fisher-Paykel spins so fast that the clothes hardly need any drying when they're done washing.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2006 09:46PM by davester.

Hate to say it but at $300 combined you are not going to get anything that is either efficient or reliable. All you will get is something cheap that will need to be replaced in short order.

At a $300 price point my two best suggestions are either 1200 quarters for the laundromat or spend the $295 on the washer and use the $5 to get a clothesline and clips.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, just realistic.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

Quote
Ombligo
Hate to say it but at $300 combined you are not going to get anything that is either efficient or reliable. All you will get is something cheap that will need to be replaced in short order.

At a $300 price point my two best suggestions are either 1200 quarters for the laundromat or spend the $295 on the washer and use the $5 to get a clothesline and clips.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, just realistic.

Well I don't know how much you have looked at used W&D on Craigslist but people get rid of $800-$900 pairs for $300 quite often. The best deals are people who are moving and need them out of the house ASAP. I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like you did without actually looking. It's the same as telling someone that they can't get a workable Mac for $150. It's simply untrue.


BT

Quote
Baby Tats
Well I don't know how much you have looked at used W&D on Craigslist but people get rid of $800-$900 pairs for $300 quite often. The best deals are people who are moving and need them out of the house ASAP. I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like you did without actually looking. It's the same as telling someone that they can't get a workable Mac for $150. It's simply untrue.
BT

Yep, that is definitely true. We bought our F&P washer/dryer set for $400...1 year old, lightly used by a single mom. I have never bought a washer or dryer new...why waste all that money when you can pick up a set indistinguishable from new for pennies on the dollar.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

First load of wash I did in a new front loader was a catastrophy. Bad clutch in the spin cycle and I was left with a washer full of sudsy water and no way to empty the dang thing without opening the door and having it all dump out on the floor. I was PI$$ED!

Went back to a top loader that at least I can bail water out if it doesn't drain.

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.t

Front loaders I have dealt with in the past had a service override to activate the pump and at least allow you to drain off the water. You end up with a pile of wet clothes, but don't end up dumping a load of water on the floor. Has that stopped being included on newer models? Or was I just lucky on which models I dealt with?

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IMO Front loaders rule. They wash better and use less soap. By the way, do a test with your washer. If you use the suggested amount of soap on your brand's label...do a load using NO soap and see how much soap is actually still in your machine. You will be surprised. I've had front loaders for quite some time and never a prob.