<p>Love my whirlpool frontloader. Less water use, clothes are drier after final spin, leading to shorter dryer time. Ours is also on pedestal drawer, so no bending and I use drawer for storing unmatched socks until they find their mate. Also leaves top free for folding.</p>
<p>Our Maytag Neptune frontloader may have died, and I’ll know tomorrow when I pull it out, see if it’s just the belt, or if a bearing has seized, as this once quiet machine has sounded like a herd of elephants the last year or so.</p>
<p>I don’t want another front loader. Too many horror stories, especially with Maytags. We were lucky, got ten years, but I honestly expected more from a $1000 machine. We got 17 from the Kenmore top loader predecessor. I can’t jusitfy another grand on a machine that I might not get a decade from.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on an extra large capacity top loader, maybe Whirlpool? When we replaced the Kenmore dryer 2 years ago, we read the reviews, and ended up with a mid range Whirlpool, and we’ve been very happy.</p>
<p>I’ll put in my usual plug for Fisher Paykel. I believe this one is extra large capacity - more expensive than mine so it is likely bigger and has more bells and whistles. I think there are more competitive prices out there. Mine is not advertised as extra large capacity but I can easily wash my comforter in it. </p>
<p>[Fisher</a> & Paykel WL26CW2 AquaSmart washer Review: Powered by ConsumerGuide and HowStuffWorks](<a href=“http://products.howstuffworks.com/fisher-paykel-aquasmart-wl26cw2-washer-review.htm]Fisher”>http://products.howstuffworks.com/fisher-paykel-aquasmart-wl26cw2-washer-review.htm)</p>
<p>Get with the program ViolaDad, Frontloader + energy tax credit. Less detergent, less hotwater, better mechanical action on clothes, less water, less wastewater, less drying energy.</p>
<p>I love my front loader , low water Whirlpool washer and dryer. I can do a quick wash in 25 minutes…the newer models can steam clean. Less detergent ( a lot less really ), less water and soap in the septic system.</p>
<p>There are top loaders that have those features too. My Fisher Paykel spins things so dry that the drying time has been cut dramatically. I can adjust the spin speed however on any load so as not to damage finer fabrics. The design of the agitator is much easier on clothes than traditional top loaders. The water saver feature is adjustable but it is designed to save water like a front loader or you can customize it if you want more water.</p>
<p>I never heard of that brand, cartera…where did you purchase it ?</p>
<p>Just replaced W/D with Electrolux front loaders. Absolutely thrilled!</p>
<p>Fisher/Paykel --I researched extensively and then called the local appliance store and ordered one. They carried them so I don’t think they are hard to find. There is a store locater on the website and it indicates that the local Lowe’s carries them. They are made in New Zealand. They have a great reliability rating and all the energy savings bells and whistles. I love mine - only tiny drawback is that the spin cycle on fast sounds a little like a jet engine.</p>
<p>mominva, that brand is very popular in Europe. My European friends all have Electrolux or Miele appliances. Enjoy your new laundry helpers!
Fisher and Paykel appliances are sold at many appliance stores. I think I saw them at Lowes, too.
violadad, you probably own the grandpa of all American front loaders. I heard that the earlier ones had reliability problems, so if yours survived 10 years, that’s great. Hopefully, you will be able to fix the problem.</p>
<p>LongPrime, I’ve been with the frontloader program for the last ten years. This Maytag is a front loader, and was supposedly the best when we bought. EnergyStar rated, we got the electric company’s and government rebates when we bought it. It was fine for five years. The motor was replaced at the 59th month on a five year motor warranty. Two years later, it went from the most quiet machine I ever heard to sounding like a herd of elephants in heat. Yes, we saved a bit on water consumption and electricity. The labor for the motor warranty replacement ate that up.</p>
<p>Bad drum shaft bearing, I can buy 2 low end top loaders for the egregious price of what they want for the parts alone. We did all the research on this machine when we bought, but there were many Maytag horror stories with these and subsequent model years. All in all we were lucky.</p>
<p>I can fix just about anything, but with this type of machine you need to have the equipment and diagnostic reference points. What were before simple mechanical or electro-mechanical parts and sub-assemblies have been replaced by chips and integrated circuit boards, so cost of replacement parts (even at the trade discount level) are ridiculous. </p>
<p>We got 17 years out of our Kenmore toploader, all I ever replaced were belts, a timer and water pump, for the cost of the parts. I had a 40 plus year old Maytag in the basement that we’d use once a week for some really nasty stuff and that only required a belt change. Drum rust out killed both of those.</p>
<p>Naw, I can’t justify a grand for a machine that’s gonna last only ten years. For $500 more, I could get a medium sized commercial duty unit, and it would outlive me. Give me a top loader or (front loader for that matter) that is reliable, and easy/cost effective to repair. That’s all I’m looking for.</p>
<p>cartera, FP’s are supposedly fantastic machines, and I’ve heard nothing bad from those that own them. Again, their price tag takes a bit (at least in my mind) to justify. As do the price tags of the other front loaders.</p>
<p>I’m not being cheap, just realistic.</p>
<p>My FP was about $600 - I have the standard model.</p>
<p>cartera, thanks for that bit of info. Haven’t got to the point of specific make, model number or price research yet, but that is alot more palatable.</p>
<p>Friend with Maytag Neptune top loader had it for two years…and it DIED…just died. Of course it was just off warranty. They got something else but NOT another Maytag. I have a 15 year old Maytag washer and dryer…just the basic one with extra large capacity. It’s fine (knock on wood) but I don’t think Maytag is the brand it used to be. If I were buying new, I’d go with the FP. We have relatives who have them and they are terrific.</p>
<p>Even with my FP, I got the extended warranty.</p>
<p>Buy two top loaders now. Keep one unit unused until the old one dies. Top loaders is a dying breed. </p>
<p>I understand your thinking.</p>
<p>^I amaze people with what I have “in-stock”. But pulling a second washing machine from “inventory” may even be borderline for me. ;)</p>
<p>I can suggest a Whirlpool model, because we think our washer, dryer, stove and DW are great- all by Whirlpool. In addition, I suggest Whirlpool because they are American owned and American made. Some feel this is a good time to help American jobs. And, for the last few years, Whirlpool has been the actual maker for Kenmore(Sears).
Just presenting one angle to consider.</p>
<p>P.S. I don’t own their stock or know any people that work for Whirlpool.</p>
<p>i had one of the original maytage neptunes. it had serious issues and maytag did stand behind their product. it was always an inconvenience to to have it repaired and out of commission. they finally replaced the entire “insides” and it served me well for a few more years. </p>
<p>i now have the BEST washer and dryer that i have ever owned! i have a top loading high efficiency fisher-paykel and i tell everyone about it. the best part–the dryer is a top loader also! no more bending over to put clothes in or take clothes out! it is the best set up i’ve ever had! i highly, highly recommend this to anyone!</p>
<p>I was looking at front-loaders but the water line in our laundry room is on the right side. The store I was looking at suggested criss-crossing the lines. Has anyone tried that? Did it work ok?</p>