I have to buy some washers - one in the next few days, and would like
opinions about what brands are best, not only for reliabilitly but also
for ease and cost of do-it-yourself repairs.

I'm looking for low-mid priced models, nothing fancy, i.e., no
electronic controls or front loaders. I'm familiar only with Whirlpool
belt drive models, although I'm certainly no expert.

I know Whirlpool makes Roper, but Ropers seem to have different
mechanical timers that can turn in only one direction and make a
ratcheting sound when turned manually. This concerns me because the
very old Whirlpool timers were like this and several failed on me
(metal fingers wore, often causing washer to stop mid-cycle), but the
replacements made by Singer, which didn't ratchet, never did.

How good is Whirlpool's direct drive for their top loaders?

How does GE stack up?

You want cheap and reliable, doesnt work that way, reliable is
commercial grade. I had one for 35 years, my new cheap had problems in 6
months.

My experience with repairing things is that Whirlpool is reasonably priced,
and that GE is "Generally Expensive".

My personal machine is a Whirlpool, which the last owners left behind. It
has needed the motor oiled twice, and the timer cleaned out and reoiled,
once.

Not sure that 11 years later, they are the same quality, but i'd buy anothr
whirlpool.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"Dick Cheney" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have to buy some washers - one in the next few days, and would like
opinions about what brands are best, not only for reliabilitly but also
for ease and cost of do-it-yourself repairs.

I'm looking for low-mid priced models, nothing fancy, i.e., no
electronic controls or front loaders. I'm familiar only with Whirlpool
belt drive models, although I'm certainly no expert.

I know Whirlpool makes Roper, but Ropers seem to have different
mechanical timers that can turn in only one direction and make a
ratcheting sound when turned manually. This concerns me because the
very old Whirlpool timers were like this and several failed on me
(metal fingers wore, often causing washer to stop mid-cycle), but the
replacements made by Singer, which didn't ratchet, never did.

How good is Whirlpool's direct drive for their top loaders?

How does GE stack up?

I believe this is a no answer question, in as much there can be good
and bad in the best of brands. Personally I had a MayTag which ran for
29 years before having to change motor due to lightning strike. Now I
see that a lot are finding fault with MayTag. Apparently time changed
the quality of the product and I think that holds true with all.
I tend to think thay mfgs will put out a product of good quality until
it gains a good reputation, then they start cutting quality by putting
cheap parts a piece at a time until finally it becomes a piece of junk
and sales plummit . This is what I think has happened to MayTag. Today
I think Whirlpool is the leader with Kenmore close behind. But isn't
Kenmore built by Whirlpool?
Jack

wrote:
I tend to think thay mfgs will put out a product of good quality until
it gains a good reputation, then they start cutting quality by putting
cheap parts a piece at a time until finally it becomes a piece of junk
and sales plummit .

Not quite. Business exist to make money, so they will put out the
cheapest product they can and still make money. Now, some companies
make quality products because they want to charge more or they have a
reputation.

Quality is mostly a competition driven. We didn't have reliable
American cars until the Japanese forced us to.

Mike

wrote:

Quality is mostly a competition driven. We didn't have reliable
American cars until the Japanese forced us to.

Except for some between - and including - the Model T and the Jeep.

HeyBub wrote:
Except for some between - and including - the Model T and the Jeep.

The Model T is hardly a good example since it was the first car
produced on an assembly line. Which, by the way, was done to cut
costs. All other cars were "hand-crafted". And, it was one of the
very first cars. And it was hugely mass produced. And...How many
miles where they being driven and how fast?

As for the Jeep are you talking about the WWII, government contract
Jeep?

I'm not saying all American cars were junk until the Japanese came
alone, but quite nearly so. And we're much better off for it.

Mike

wrote:
I believe this is a no answer question, in as much there can be good
and bad in the best of brands. Personally I had a MayTag which ran for
29 years before having to change motor due to lightning strike. Today
I think Whirlpool is the leader with Kenmore close behind. But isn't
Kenmore built by Whirlpool?
Jack


Yes... and that's why I've invested in 2 Kenmores, with no regrets. My
first one lasted 27 yrs., with 2 minor repairs. Present one, I've had for 3
yrs., no problems to date. Got my fingers crossed for continued good luck.

I guess I should add though, I don't buy their cheapest models, I buy the
mid-range priced models in hopes of better durability.
bj

I know that Kenmore furnaces are made by Heil / Tempstar. so, washers by
whirlpool sounds right.

The problem with Kenmore stuff, they require a lot of parts to be "off spec"
so that you have to use Sears parts. A Tecumseh flywheel won't work on a
Sears mower. That kind of thing.

How's Ginger doing?

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

wrote in message
ups.com...
I believe this is a no answer question, in as much there can be good
and bad in the best of brands. Personally I had a MayTag which ran for
29 years before having to change motor due to lightning strike. Now I
see that a lot are finding fault with MayTag. Apparently time changed
the quality of the product and I think that holds true with all.
I tend to think thay mfgs will put out a product of good quality until
it gains a good reputation, then they start cutting quality by putting
cheap parts a piece at a time until finally it becomes a piece of junk
and sales plummit . This is what I think has happened to MayTag. Today
I think Whirlpool is the leader with Kenmore close behind. But isn't
Kenmore built by Whirlpool?
Jack

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
I know that Kenmore furnaces are made by Heil / Tempstar. so, washers by
whirlpool sounds right.

It may be made by Whirlpool, but it could be Frigidaire and lesser quality

On 22 Dec 2005 07:02:53 -0800, wrote:

I believe this is a no answer question, in as much there can be good
and bad in the best of brands. Personally I had a MayTag which ran for

I think it is pretty clear from those Public Service Announcements
that Maytag repairman have very little work to do. The just sit
around the office most of the time. The machines must be reliable.


29 years before having to change motor due to lightning strike. Now I
see that a lot are finding fault with MayTag. Apparently time changed
the quality of the product and I think that holds true with all.
I tend to think thay mfgs will put out a product of good quality until
it gains a good reputation, then they start cutting quality by putting
cheap parts a piece at a time until finally it becomes a piece of junk
and sales plummit . This is what I think has happened to MayTag. Today
I think Whirlpool is the leader with Kenmore close behind. But isn't
Kenmore built by Whirlpool?
Jack


Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

"mm" wrote in message
...
On 22 Dec 2005 07:02:53 -0800, wrote:

I believe this is a no answer question, in as much there can be good
and bad in the best of brands. Personally I had a MayTag which ran for

I think it is pretty clear from those Public Service Announcements
that Maytag repairman have very little work to do. The just sit
around the office most of the time. The machines must be reliable.
===
No. They're sitting around the office because they don't know how to fix
them.
===

Dick Cheney wrote:
I'm looking for low-mid priced models, nothing fancy, i.e., no
electronic controls or front loaders. I'm familiar only with
Whirlpool belt drive models, although I'm certainly no expert.

I know Whirlpool makes Roper, but Ropers seem to have different
mechanical timers that can turn in only one direction and make a
ratcheting sound when turned manually. This concerns me because the
very old Whirlpool timers were like this and several failed on me
(metal fingers wore, often causing washer to stop mid-cycle), but the
replacements made by Singer, which didn't ratchet, never did.

Roper is the most reliable brand, most likely because their washers are
mechanically simple.

That would be my recommendation, the timers notwithstanding.

I'd urge you to go to your local public library and take a look at
February '05 Consumer Reports. Perhaps the library has an account at
consumerreports.org where you can look up even more recent ratings.

In Feb 05 they rated Roper most reliable top loader (based on 10K+
reader survey) but didn't evaluate Roper washing machines at all.

Dick Cheney wrote:
I have to buy some washers - one in the next few days, and would like
opinions about what brands are best, not only for reliabilitly but also
for ease and cost of do-it-yourself repairs.

I'm looking for low-mid priced models, nothing fancy, i.e., no
electronic controls or front loaders. I'm familiar only with Whirlpool
belt drive models, although I'm certainly no expert.

I know Whirlpool makes Roper, but Ropers seem to have different
mechanical timers that can turn in only one direction and make a
ratcheting sound when turned manually. This concerns me because the
very old Whirlpool timers were like this and several failed on me
(metal fingers wore, often causing washer to stop mid-cycle), but the
replacements made by Singer, which didn't ratchet, never did.

How good is Whirlpool's direct drive for their top loaders?

How does GE stack up?

"I'd urge you to go to your local public library and take a look at February
'05 Consumer Reports. "

(Sears/Whirlpool Washers)

There are different levels of Sears/Whirlpool Washers. Ask a Service Tech
for advice on which one is most reliable. We have used the heck out of them,
still using the third one in 40 years thru 4 children, last ones twins.

As for Consumer Reports, I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in their
recommendations, from years of experience, everything I owned was junk
according to them but we had very good service such as TVs, cars, washers,
dryers, Lawn Mowers, on and on.

Walt Conner

Hotpoint or Hoover are good.

I've owned one washer and it's a Sears. It's worked so far, a bit over a
year since I bought it used, but if I were to get another washer there's
no way in the world I'd buy a top loader. If I were going to buy one now
I'd find a front loader somewhere, discounted, maybe with a cosmetic
scratch and/or last year's model.

Dan