Steve Barker wrote:
....
I'm a wondering how the front loaders could have "long-term reliability
records" when they haven't been out a long time. LMAO!!
....

Only uncommon in US markets; they've been around for quite a long time
elsewhere (like 50 years, anyway that I'm aware of...)

There was even a "mini-bubble" of attempted to make them popular in the
US in the 60/70s...(19's, not 18's ).

--