Here is my story:

In the year 2000, I bought the Kenmore 417 front loader
washer and dryer. Front loaders were just coming out
then and I should have known better I guess.

The dryer was fine... as it is conventional.... but I
had nothing but trouble with the Frigidaire built
Kenmore FL washer!! Vibrated terribly no mater what
I did.

after 7 years it just plain wore out. I took it apart
to find that the main seal and bearing had failed,
slinging grease everywhere inside the unit. It
eventually seized up and just stopped. the seal and
bearing could NOT be replaced by itself. you had to buy
a whole new inner tub assy at abt $350 or so! Pure junk
not made to be repaired. I hauled it of to the steel
scrap yard last summer and have been doing laundry in
laundromat since which is a BIG pain

Anyway.... I've been pretty sour on front loaders since
then and swore Id never buy another one.... would go
back to top loaders as I live alone and only do laundry
once/twice a week.

However...... water rates, electricity, sewer rates
have all gone up locally and I thought maybe I should
"consider" front loaders again. BUT..... I went to you
tube and did a search on "front load washers" only to
find a TON of videos of all diff brands/models FL
washers that people are having serious problems
with.... vibrating, breakdowns, etc. I'm having second
thoughts again abt a FL washer of ANY brand!!

Bottom line.... are all front loaders junk? Wont last
more than 7 years or so? I can't see paying anywhere
from $600-$1200 for a FL washer if its NOT gonna last
minimum 15 years or at least can not be repaired!!

What is your advice and what would YOU do given my
circumstances?