I used to have one of the older Maytag models that had a reputation for
lasting forever. Well that was easy because it hardly agitated compared to
other brands. I got rid of it after a few years. Replaced it with a direct
drive Kenmore made by Whirlpool. Unfortunately it only lasted 5 years.
Sears offered to pay for labor if I bought a new transmission. Transmission
went because the seal went which is in the agitator under water level. I
went with a Maytag front loader which has been going fine for 8 years but is
expensive.


"Ed" wrote in message
...

"Kim" wrote

CR rated Sears (Kenmore) at the top when I purchased mine but I had
problems, a bad motor being one of them, just few days after warranty.

Things like this happen with any brand. Whirlpool makes most of Sear's
laundry products and they are fine. Most of the parts in these machines
are purchased by the manufacturer and installed. Motors are mostly GE &
Emerson and there may be others now, it doesn't matter what brand it is in
many cases they all get their parts from the same suppliers.

Personally I stay away from Kenmore and Frigidaire. Manufactures used to
make machines that last well over 25 years but now you're lucky if it
last more than 7.

I pretty much stay with Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, and Amana products. I've
had good luck. It's true that some people have appliances that last 20 or
30 years but they are in the minority and always were, average life was
never that high.

I agree that appliances aren't what they were but in many ways they have
been improved while keeping the cost down. Don't forget, people build
these machines and they don't earn what they did 25 years ago and benefit
packages have also increased in cost to the manufacturers.

I posted in this thread about a Whirlpool washer for under $300, 25 years
ago I doubt if you could have purchased a Whirlpool washer for this price,
especially one with the same features.