Best washing machines for reliability & DIY repairs?

 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?

  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.
.

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

 tinacci...@sbcglobal.net wrote:

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

 upand_at_them@yahoo.com wrote:

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