What do you think of Maytag washers?

[unfun75]

The reviews are all over the place. The salesman at Lowe's recommended the Maytag over similar and higher priced GE's and Whirlpool's. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Added: Top-loader with agitator, not HE. I don't plan to do more than 1-2 loads every 10 days.

[tomteriffic]

Maytag is under new ownership. The new owner is a respected tech company but I forget who it is at the moment. Word is that they are putting a lot of money and effort into bringing the brand back. I bought a Whirlpool last week anyway.

[JohnnyB]

The reviews are all over the place. The salesman at Lowe's recommended the Maytag over similar and higher priced GE's and Whirlpool's. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Added: Top-loader with agitator, not HE. I don't plan to do more than 1-2 loads every 10 days.

I've had a single Maytag set for about 18 years and like them a lot. I can't comment too much on the current product lineup since Whirlpool acquired them, but when I was in the market in 1993 I tried Whirlpool, Kenmore, and Kitchen Aid (all based on the same Whirlpool design). On those models the tub was narrow and deep with a rather intrusive agitator. This design produced good Consumer Reports test results because they beat more dirt out of the clothes, but very quickly I noticed that this more aggressive agitation was putting little holes (about 2 mm in dia.) in my clothes. I took advantage of Sears generous return policy and returned each one in succession as they put holes in my clothes and towels. Then I went to a local independent Maytag dealer. The Maytags have a shallow, wide tub with less intrusive agitator. I've never had a problem with them cleaning the clothes enough, and I don't get holes in my clothes anymore.

Previously I had bought a Whirlpool direct drive washer in 1985, and 8 years later the drive system was kaput. Fixing it would have cost as much as a new washer, which was why I tried the Whirlpool, Kenmore, and Kitchen Aid washers in rapid succession. I have had the Maytag for 18 years and counting. It and its matching dryer have each had one service call in those 18 years, and that was attributable to heavy use by a blended family of 6. The washer was in use almost every day, and sometimes it was run by kids who overloaded it.

I also have a Maytag dishwasher that I've had for around 4-1/2 years (which is after Whirlpool acquired the company). It runs perfectly and offered plenty of automation and a stainless steel tub for under $500. My previous dishwasher, a Frigidaire bought new in 1999, lasted 7 years and had a $150 service call about halfway through that time span.

[cynic]

... was putting little holes (about 2 mm in dia.) in my clothes.

Damn seeds

I lost a Maytag set in a divorce, which was replaced with a Kenmore set. As far as performance the Kenmore's have seemed as good, but the cycle times with all the "auto-sensing" bs are a little unpredictable.

During the spin cycle, the Kenmore washer vibrates maybe 5x as much as the Maytag ever did, which is probably why I've had to repair the Kenmore 3 times after owning it half as long as I had the Maytag which never had the first problem.

I also have a Maytag dishwasher which has never given me a bit of problems and works as well now (very well) as it did when I purchased it a dozen years ago.

[MCChris]

I don't plan to do more than 1-2 loads every 10 days.

Double it. I hear it's good for the prostate.

[LostArt]

bought maytag washer and dryer in 92 still using it.

just had the timer replaced in the dryer a month ago.

I know I replaced the belt about 10 years ago

nothing has been done to the washer.

rock solid.

growing up my best friend's grand father owned an appliance store and sold maytag they were the best. the rolls royce now that whirlpool owns them I have heard they are not as good but I really don't know

[specialk]

Are you looking at HE machines or standard washers? We went with a top loading He Fisher & Paykel a few years ago and it's been a great washer, uses an impeller plate instead of an agitator.

For a standard washer, I'd look at Speed Queen.

[triodecr]

Several years ago my sister's Maytag washer crapped out right after the warranty was up. It needed a new controller PCB and cost several hundred dollars to fix. The Sears repair man said Maytag isn't what it used to be they are all about the same reliability now. I can't comment on the most recent models but when it came time to replace our set we chose a Speed Queen set:

http://www.speedqueen.com/home/en-us/products.aspx

I did some poking around and found a schematic inside the control panel of each unit. They have a 3 year warranty and we are approaching the end of the warranty period with no problems.

[serial]

I avoid anything Maytag after several bad experiences with them. I think generally that since the 90s, their whole line has been shit. We had a Maytag washer and dryer from 88 or so that we replaced two years ago with LG front-loaders. The wash is much better, but the old Maytags had a good run.

I've had several friends who bought them and hated them-(in the 90s and in the early 00s). I had a Maytag fridge that died the week the warranty ran out. Bought a replacement because the price was right and had our first repair a year and a month later (a month past the one-year warranty).

No thanks. If they're under new management, great, but I'll never buy one. Same with Canon cameras, but I don't want to get started on that!

[Mitch]

I can't comment too much on the current product lineup since Whirlpool acquired them, but when I was in the market in 1993...

[alantig]

Maytag appliances make Mr. Carlson sad.

Alan

[veatch]

I don't plan to do more than 1-2 loads every 10 days.

Double it. I hear it's good for the prostate.

Well played, sir.

[unfun75]

I avoid anything Maytag after several bad experiences with them. I think generally that since the 90s, their whole line has been shit. We had a Maytag washer and dryer from 88 or so that we replaced two years ago with LG front-loaders. The wash is much better, but the old Maytags had a good run.

I've had several friends who bought them and hated them-(in the 90s and in the early 00s). I had a Maytag fridge that died the week the warranty ran out. Bought a replacement because the price was right and had our first repair a year and a month later (a month past the one-year warranty).

No thanks. If they're under new management, great, but I'll never buy one. Same with Canon cameras, but I don't want to get started on that!

Ok, now I'm scared.

[GusS]

Current Maytag appliances are rebadged Whirlpools.

[ZR]

When we bought ours a few years back we went w/ Whirlpool Duet Sport models. Been very happy with them since. I still cannot believe just how clothes it will clean at one time! We got the front loaders.

The guy told us at the time that the Whirlpool model we bought was actually made in Germany and the Bosch model was made in the US! He said everyone owns each other and it's a wacky world in appliance land. Almost like guitar strings - really only so many manufacturers for so many brands available.

[Toadroller]

Bought my wife the fancy... hang on, got to run downstairs and find out... Whirlpool Duet king and queen set last summer as part of a laundry room redo.

Honestly, I'm thinking a $75 craigslist top loader will hold as much and clean as much. That's what we sold away to a young couple with their first kid. They are pretty (some kind of red) and they sing all kinds of chimey songs as they go about their work, but two grand? They better last a decade plus.

I think the glowing reviews are from people who are compensating for the money they spent. They're fooling themselves. I spent it; wife is happy.

[veatch]

Our old plain-Jane Whirlpool is running on 16 years now. I've repaired the washer 3 or 4 times now - never more than $20 in parts. They're easy to work on, so you can do it yourself (especially in the day of the YoooTooobs showing you exactly what to do...)

$75 Craigslist special is definitely a better investment.

[m chops]

Same with Canon cameras, but I don't want to get started on that!

pm sent