quote:

Originally posted by bashman:

quote:

Originally posted by absolut18:
1lowlife,

Take a strong look at products made in the USA, and another look at your att inbox. I work for Whirlpool, and may be able to help you in your quest. If you have any questions, I'll email you directly to answer. Take care,

Do me a favor. Walk down the hall to the office of the guy who designed the Cabrio top load washers, and give him a swift kick in the nuts for me. Then walk out of the office for a minute, and then walk back in and give him another kick.
That's for the stupid design of the plastic frame on the lid that cracks right at the hinges. I've had to replace the lid on mine twice in about 7 years I've had the washer. The first time I was able to get Whirlpool to send a replacement lid at no charge to me after being on the phone with different people for a couple of hours. The second time I had to pay out of pocket. Over $200 shipped for a new lid. The lid itself is easy to replace, 5 minutes with a screwdriver and you're done. It's the stupid plastic frame that causes all the problems.

Now go give him another kick since I had to go through all that again.

Thanks for the laugh! That was great.

Here is an update of what we ended up with:
My initial plan was washer/dryer/pedestals for under $2K.
I'm one of those that will spend hours and hours researching and reading reviews on big purchases.
I was first leaning towards Maytag, then Electrolux, then Whirlpool.
I went to Sears just to look at Electrolux, but found that they were made by Frigidaire.
Didn't really want to buy from Sears.

Decided on Maytag, going with my first gut feeling.
We bought these from Lowes on 4/15 and had them delivered 5/15.
Had to wait a month for the dryer to come in, but we were in no hurry.

Washer: Maytag Model # MHW5500FW

Dryer: Maytag Model # MED5500FW

Pedestals: Model # XHPC155XW

Got the washer and dryer for $749 each due to a error on the website.
They went on sale mid April and the website read $749 for the washer $799 for the dryer.
Later that day they were both priced at $799.
Fortunately I printed the $749 ad out when I saw it.
Took it to Lowes and asked for the washer at $749.
They said 'sure thing' and also did the same price for the dryer.
The pedestals were on sale for $125 each.
That weekend they offered another 10% off if I put them on my Lowes card that I have not had a balance on since 2014.
So I put them on the card, got the extra 10%, and paid it off as soon as the charges were applied, about a week later.

Wife loves them.
She reaches straight in with the pedestals.
She commented on how much bigger the washer drum is compared to our old Frigidare Affinity.
She likes having a light in the washer as well as the dryer.
The lights are LED so I won't be replacing them every 6 months like I did in the Bosch dryer.
Washer and dryer are quieter except for the washer door lock.
But I can't hear it outside the laundry room.
Steam option on the dryer is nice.

So far so good.

SO I got the washer, dryer, 2 pedestals, 5 year extended warranty on both, new stainless braided hoses, free delivery and setup for just under $2000.



Thanks for all the help..

I have a front load Fridigaire with a matching dryer. I have the pedistals for the pair as well. I bought them 9 years ago. I leave the door of the washer open when not in use. They are good to go. I don't do as much laundry as you folks though.

Whirlpool duets or their Maytag counterparts. I bought a set of Whirlpool duets April 2010, I did 4-5 loads per week in them till Jan 2014, and now my tenants have been using them ever since. They have never had an issue and the clothes come out amazingly clean and wrinkle free with them. I bought the 4.1 cu foot washer and matching dryer at the time. You did good.

I own 4 sets of washers and dryers between rental units and my home......Everything but whirlpool/maytag just falls apart in less than 2 years.

quote:

Originally posted by 1lowlife:
Decided on Maytag, going with my first gut feeling.
We bought these from Lowes on 4/15 and had them delivered 5/15.
Had to wait a month for the dryer to come in, but we were in no hurry.

Washer: Maytag Model # MHW5500FW

Any update? I'm looking to buy a washer this weekend (today?). Narrowed down to this 5500 model or a Speed Queen (front loader, as big as they have. Electronic or Analog controls?).

We just purchased a set of top loading Kenmore washer and dryer from Sears. Normally I run from Sears, but the sale price was great with 0 percent financing for 12 months and the units are actually made by (if I read correctly) LG and are highly rated.
Time will tell but I research my appliance purchases carefully and I have had great luck with Kenmore stuff in the past by picking the models made by the better companies.

konata88:

Here is the front loader with manual controls:

https://www.speedqueen.com/pro...3TW01#build-your-own

The front loader has 3.42 cu feet vs 3.20 for the top loader.

We looked at the top loader, but for me, the top loader is simpler to maintain, and the difference in capacity wasn't enough to justify the expense.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by 1lowlife:
Decided on Maytag, going with my first gut feeling.
We bought these from Lowes on 4/15 and had them delivered 5/15.
Had to wait a month for the dryer to come in, but we were in no hurry.

Washer: Maytag Model # MHW5500FW

Any update? I'm looking to buy a washer this weekend (today?). Narrowed down to this 5500 model or a Speed Queen (front loader, as big as they have. Electronic or Analog controls?).

We've been very happy with the Maytag washer and dryer.
Got a great deal on the W/D, pedestals, and 5 year ext warranty for right at $2000 from Lowes.
No problems or issues.
I researched Speed Queen but the 5' wife didn't want a top loader.

I went to check out Maytag 5500 and 8xxx series. I also looked at the Speed Queen front loader with the electronic controls at the front.

SQ: smaller tub (3.4cf; about the same as my current Neptune?). But seems solidly built and the inside tub looks strong with a nice fin design. Some cheap plastic water fittings but otherwise seems pretty solid. I hear it has a steel outer tub as well (not sure this is better than a plastic tub or not).

Maytag: Almost 1/2 the price and 4.5cf. I like the controls better. Overall, it seems like a more polished product. However, the door is hinged on the wrong side and is not reversible.

The salesman/owner recommended the SQ if the size is okay. Although the net 20 year cost is about the same (assuming Maytag lasts 10 years so buy 2 vs 1 SQ), build quality is better (although both designed/made in USA): Metal outer tub. Better electronics. No mold concerns (Maytag may be susceptible to mold?).

On the fence: It's kind of like Honda Accord (MT) vs Toyota Camry (SQ). MT is better polished and more feature rich which is nice. SQ is a little more old fashioned but has a better, more consistent reputation for build quality and longevity.

Leaning toward the SQ although the cost is a concern (again, I could buy 2 MT's). I'll see what the wife says.....

Should get a SpeedQueen washer next week from Amazon). Replacing a 6yr. old top of line Maytag that rusted out around the bleach cup. Thing I am through with Maytag.

I bought a SQ top loader analog set about 8 months ago. Well satisfied. I love the simplicity and lack of buzzers. Gets clothes extra clean, too.

Top load analog?

I'm looking at front load digital. It's all they had. We have front load right now and prefer that I guess. No real reason though.

May tag or whirlpool front loaders. I have a set from 2010 that has had a few thousand loads through it now and has never once had a service call on either the washer or dryer

Hands down, SPEED QUEEN. Bought one Christmass 2016, and its great.

Had replaced 2 Maytags in last 10 years. Pure junk. Maytag completely un helpful. Dealer who sold me the speen queen picked up my Maytag with a failed main bearing, and had a second one in the truck with same exact problem. Maytag said its rare. Bull.

The maytag repairman are so busy, there never on TV anymore.

quote:

https://www.speedqueen.com/pro...3TW01#build-your-own

I got an analog SQ set this past Feb because all the previous posts on this matter on SF. I originally concern about the capacity but that has not been an issue at all. As for the construction quality, the damn thing is built like a shit brick house compared to any other consumer brand W/Ds out there. The analog control reduces the chance of fancy electronics failing. I would purchase this as this is the last top loading washer without any HE features which in my opinion is Green-tree hugger BS which does nothing to help your clothes get cleaner.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I went to check out Maytag 5500 and 8xxx series. I also looked at the Speed Queen front loader with the electronic controls at the front.

SQ: smaller tub (3.4cf; about the same as my current Neptune?). But seems solidly built and the inside tub looks strong with a nice fin design. Some cheap plastic water fittings but otherwise seems pretty solid. I hear it has a steel outer tub as well (not sure this is better than a plastic tub or not).

Maytag: Almost 1/2 the price and 4.5cf. I like the controls better. Overall, it seems like a more polished product. However, the door is hinged on the wrong side and is not reversible.

The salesman/owner recommended the SQ if the size is okay. Although the net 20 year cost is about the same (assuming Maytag lasts 10 years so buy 2 vs 1 SQ), build quality is better (although both designed/made in USA): Metal outer tub. Better electronics. No mold concerns (Maytag may be susceptible to mold?).

On the fence: It's kind of like Honda Accord (MT) vs Toyota Camry (SQ). MT is better polished and more feature rich which is nice. SQ is a little more old fashioned but has a better, more consistent reputation for build quality and longevity.

Leaning toward the SQ although the cost is a concern (again, I could buy 2 MT's). I'll see what the wife says.....

The smaller tub size is a pain in the rear. The Maytag is 33% larger, so can do larger loads, and less times a month you have to do laundry. I would never go back to anything smaller than my current 4.5 cu foot washer again. I would take a look at Whirlpool as well, quality is equal to Maytag and they don't look so space age.

The HE washers and dryers use a lot less water, soap, and electricity. They pretty much pay for themselves over 10 years compared to traditional w/d. AND, the BEST washer I ever had when it came to cleaning out stains and wrinkle free was a Whirlpool duet front loader. Older traditional washers I had didn't even come close.

It might be all in our heads but the wife and I feel the Maytag gets our clothes cleaner than the old Frigidaire front loader we had.
I'll occasionally get a little fifth wheel grease on my work uniform from time to time.
This washer gets it out without any squirts of stain remover.
Also the towels seem to come out of the dryer 'fluffier'.

Some maytag reviews complained of the washer being noisy, mostly when it pumps water out.
That never bothered either one of us.
if you're standing next to it, the door locking and unlocking is a bit loud.
But we don't hear it in the rest of the house.
We keep the end cycle chimes turned off since we sometimes work opposite hours.

We just went with a basic Speed Queen washer and dryer set.

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:
We just went with a basic Speed Queen washer and dryer set.

Best out there, IMO. Simple to use, simple to fix, and doesn't take 95 minutes to do a load of laundry.

Gonna go buy today. SQ is the favorite at this point. I hated that I had to fix the Neptune; find components and solder them down for $1000+ machine. I dislike finding out that I'm considered one of the rare, lucky ones that hasn't had class action issues with the machine. The machine looks nice but the door is on the wrong side -- that is kind of a deal breaker, especially with the additional depth (our laundry area is tight).

Expensive, but leaning toward the SQ with front side electronic controls. Unless new information comes up before this afternoon.