1998 Maytag DC with sud saver or New Speed Queen Front Loader?

[jbellafesta]

I currently have a 1998 Maytag TL with suds saver. I typically do about 4 loads weekly and do use the suds saver regularly. It was used gently by a household of 1-2 people for its 19.5 years and is in very good working condition. I had thought that I would buy a Speed Queen front loader upon its demise but now I have learned that those will be discontinued this year.

In a perfect world I'd want a FL with a heater, but I've been reluctant to commit to a Miele because a high cost of ownership and because they discontinued the 220V smaller machines in the US. I have an $1100 Miele vacuum and it works well but has needed service for minor things that quite frankly shouldn't have ever needed service, and the cost of both parts and service is high. As a result I am not eager to repeat the experience with a Miele washer, even though this machine would perform better than a SQ. I also am unwilling to pay 4k prices for the Little Giant model to get a 95C wash.

I'm not overly concerned with water usage on my current TL machine because I have the suds saver; plus a have an instantaneous gas water heater (1911 Ruud) so I don't worry about having insufficient water for doing back to back hot washes. I'm more concerned with performance and would like the ability to wash my queen comforter and mattress pad at home. Do those of you with experience using the SQ FL and later era Maytag DC TL feel that there is an improvement in washing performance with the SQ FL that would justify replacement? I'm having a hard time convincing myself to buy the SQ to stockpile till my older washer dies (or maybe I should just be repaired when the time comes). What bothers me is a lack of confidence if a new reliable FL that will take the place of the SQ for home use.
Many thanks,
Jesse

 

[lorainfurniture]

If you want to effectively clean a queen comforter I’d look at the lg front loader.

Sq is a good choice, but I don’t know if I’d want to hoard one for potentially years. They are reliable washers, but not the best performers in my opinion.

 

[combo52]

Get The Speed Queen FL Washer While You Have The Chance

Its the closest thing you will ever get to the MTs dependably and long life, The performance of the SQ is excellent and it does a much larger load than the Miele.

 

There is really no point in buying a plastic Chinese LG washer unless you are content to replace it in 5-10 years. Last weekend we pulled out an LG FL washer from one of our customers that was only 4 years old and replaced it with a SQ FL machine.

 

The LG had hardly been used as it was in our customers 2nd home but the owner could not stand the finicky controls and the cheapness of the whole thing, she said it was the worst appliance she had ever had in 30+ years of marriage.

 

Since she already had a 9 year old SQ FLer in her primary house she wanted to get one for the 2nd house, originally she thought the cheaper LG would be good enough for the weekend house but immediately found out she made a mistake.

 

If you want a good deal on a lightly used LG call me.

 

John L.

 

[super32]

SQ is doing away with their front load? That seems strange since efficiency is where everything is going.