10 year old SQ w/d or a new set?

[brucelucenta]

top loaders

I am kind of puzzled about this. Are the late model Kenmore or Whirlpool washers that actually have an agitator not a good choice anymore? I have watched on youtube and they seem to wash pretty well. The belt drive does long strokes back and forth and they seem to have a big capacity. What has made Speed Queen the best choice? Is it only because they have a transmission?

 

[appnut]

My sister & brother in law live in Petaluma.  They bought a SQ front loader 2 months ago because they live on a well and are concerned about water consumption.  They bought theirs foom Asien's Appliance in Santa Rosa. 

 

[frigilux]

Water conservation!? We'll not have that kind of hate speech around here, Malcolm.

 

[rp2813]

The only place I found somewhat near you that clearly indicates they do sales and service is Bay Appliance in Oakland.  You may have seen them in your searching.

 

Since SQ machines are rarely if ever sale priced, I don't think it matters much where you buy.  The important thing is that you buy from a dealer who will also service the machine if needed.  That rules out mega-stores like Airport since AFAIK they don't service what they sell, and the machine wouldn't be priced much lower if at all compared to a smaller dealer.

 

Keep us posted, and don't forget to wipe out the tub thoroughly with a rag before you do anything else, then fill the tub with hottest possible water and plenty of detergent and run for a full cycle before doing any laundry in it.

 

Here's the link:

http://www.bay-appliance.com/appliances_home

 

[pulltostart]

Both the washer and the dryer listed on Ebay are Alliance machines, the labels are shown in a photograph.  But as others have said, they are still 10-year machines.  They look as you suggested - taken from military housing; not fancy, but durable (no end-of-cycle signal on the dryer; no dispensers on the washer).

 

You can go to SQ's website and search for dealers and repair locations based on your zip code.

 

lawrence

 

[DigAPony]

recommend a good SQ dealer

Why do you shoot AW member "Redcarpetdrew" (AKA Andrew) an e-mail. He is a service tech and just relocated to Concord, CA from Nevada.

He may have some suggestions and is a good person to know.

[email protected]

 

[SFMomof2Boys]

Thank you! Just sent him an email!

 

[dustin92]

I say go for new... We have owned two Speed Queen washers (both top loaders) and both have been excellent. Absolutely reliable, great washing. The first one was a 1994 model, no bells or whistles, but went through 3 moves and only had a single repair in 11 years of use and abuse- a new belt. It was still working near perfectly when we sold it. The second one came with our house, a 1989 model, slightly more features than the first, but same excellent performance. As far as I know that one never had a repair, but we moved it out because the 60 year old drainage system couldn't handle the volume of water it used any longer. We still have the matching dryer in use, and while it has very few features, the auto dry regular cycle dries well every time. As far as a dryer, if you don't mind a mismatched set, get a Whirlpool/Kenmore/Estate/Roper (All made by Whirlpool) with the top mounted lint filter. You won't find a better performing, quieter, or more reliable dryer. I never use Warm rinse settings because in my opinion all it does is waste extra hot water- All the cleaning is done in the wash cycle.

 

[rp2813]

I don't know if the 2015 SQ models are available yet.  If they are, I suggest the dryer be a 2015 so you'll get a moisture sensor instead of a thermostatic dryness control. 

 

If you're going with standard mechanical controls (knobs) you might be able to swing a close-out deal on a 2014 washer.

 

[DigAPony]

29 inch WP built dryers

Here are a few Whirlpool 29 inch top lint filter dryers. Some have consoles that are similar to Speed Queen, at a quick glance most people probably wouldn't notice the difference.

There are a few door styles and many control options. I prefer the reversible swing out door as the laundry basket can be placed right against the machine to load or unload. Some like downward opening hamper door for folding and such:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ppd/4810794510.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ppd/4813587104.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/app/4822591464.html