Amanatags and others...

[westytoploader]

After reading Gary's thread in the Super forum, this prompted me to start a new thread. I personally would like to know more about all of the "fake Maytag" flops, errr, designs and the history of them.

So far, I've gathered that the SAV-series are the infamous, horrible Amanatags and are recognizeable by a D-shaped tub ring. Were any changes incorporated to these that made them different from the Amana-branded machines at the time? It also appears that the Performa/Norgetag design has been around for a while and is bring produced under several names. What would be the model series of these?

Were these all of the non-Maytag Maytags, or did I overlook any? Which would have been the most reliable, or were none of these anything to rave about? Of course we all know the competing Dependable Care models out at the time were definitely a better bet than the Amanatags!!!

Lastly, when were all of these machines produced, or for the Norgetag design, when was it officially introduced?

--Austin

 

[jbinflorida]

Hi, as far as I could tell about the SAV maytags, is that the Amana branded machines were identical during the few years these were being produced. I remember the Amanas has a grey bottom front panel. I saw a new Amana at an appliance store the other day and they now are the Norgetag design.

I would have to say that the first Norgetag washer I saw was back around 1986 or 1987 and it had the Magic Chef name on it. They still had Porcelain coated steel tubs then but Maytag retooled the brake mechanism that elimanated the famous "clank" Norge washers were famous for.

IMHO either one of these style washers doesn't hold a candle to the Dependable Care models. I remember looking under a Norgetag back then and seeing the plastic tranny pully. I couldn't believe it!

Also in the mid to late 90s Maytag started a "budget line" Performa By Maytag which was the plastic tub Norgetags. And about the same time the Neptunes arrived, The Atlantis line came out which was basiclly a fancy Norgetag with bells and whistles and porcelain top. I think the Atlantis line was or is being phased out.

I think the MAV models are the only current Maytag top load washers.

 

[toggleswitch]

Why can't I becme a very highly overpaid executive that

I am still in shock that MT dropped the Dependable Care engineering.

I am further ditressed that WP appears not to be resuscitating it.

 

[super32]

AMANA

When maytag bought amana in 01' they waisted no time making changes. Amana was already on shaky grounds with their washers, they had belt, motor and tub seal problems working against them. The belt and motor problems improved with maytag, but the tub seal problem took a turn for the worse. Maytag began using the dual drive x-mission from the herrin built laundry and changed the tub seal. The last of the amanas were actually "SAV" on the inside but still looked like an amana on the outside. Finally in 04' all the models numbers changed and so did the look. At a near 100% failure rate for the tub seal maytag haulted production of the SAV in 05'. Also in 05' maytag stopped making herrin dryers (AKA performa) Now they only make washers in herrin, dryers in searcy and newton is commercial laundry, neptune and the last of the dependable care stack.

 

[foraloysius]

I assume the LAV 3600 is also made in Newton?

http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/product.jsp?model=LAV3600AWW&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[westytoploader]

Very interesting information, thanks!! What's sad is that not only Whirlpool doesn't seem to be doing anything about this (who knows, they will probably just run Maytag into the ground), but even if they phased out the Norgetags, Maytag will never get its reputation back for reliability and longevity. I wonder how many complaints they received from unhappy Amanatag owners.

Now my question is this: Does Maytag still produce the LAV Dependable Care models (like the one Louis posted) for private "mom-and-pop" appliance stores?

 

[super32]

as of late 05' no more LAV. so they claim.

 

[bajaespuma]

I though Amana's were resuscitated Speed Queens. The ones I've seen had the SQ agitator and stainless tubs.

 

[westytoploader]

The older Amanas were rebadged perforated-tub Speed Queens. You can tell the difference between those and the SAV-Amanas by opening the lid.

If it has a completely round lid opening and tub ring, then you'll be in good shape. But if it has a D-shaped lid opening and tub ring, then BEWARE!!

 

[repair-man]

Super32 has the story of the SAV's exactly correct. I remember well when I was told that the main line would be mostly SAV machines. The Maytag rep assured me not to worry because the tub seal was "improved" with the addition of the dual-drive transmission. So early on I sold quite a few of them. The price, feature & capacity were right. Atlantis was just such a big price step. Dependable care was getting harder to sell. I know it's not a popular thing to say around here but in my opinion it wasn't Maytag that killed the Dependable Care machines, it was the customer. I always kept all models on my floor and always pushed the Dep Care. As long as it was higher priced than a bigger capacity, fancier featured machine it was very hard to sell. For awhile (near the end) Maytag had a nice line at a very competitive price but there was very little profit left in it. Especially for Maytag. So all but the LAT3600 went away with the introduction of the SAV line and the price shot back up. I am told that the LAT will dissapear this year. As far as I know every SAV I sold had tub seal failures.

All machines sold now (with the exception of the LAT) are "NorgeTags" These are not bad machines. Actually I have had fewer repairs on the early Atlantis and Performa machines sold than the Dep Care sold at the same time. The later 90's to early 2000's Dep Care machines had a very high failure rate on the tub seal. Which usually also took out the tub bearing. A $250+ repair.

I don't remember the actual time-line on the development of the Norge-Tag but I can tell you for certain that except for the basic layout of the major components that nothing remains the same as the original Norge machine. I think it was either 97 or 98 when the new dual drive transmission was introduced. These machines had too many model codes to remember. PAV, MAV, HAV, CAV are just a few.

ED

 

[geoff]

Not always what it seems

The LAV "Dependable Care" series is still available, it's just not sold in stores. A few weeks ago Mom's Kenmore Elite completely died. after I replaced nearly everything except the motor, I finally said I've had it, I'm buying mom a new dryer. I was just about to head to Sears to get another Kenmore Elite when I decided I was going to check the Maytag site first. I checked to see if they still had the matching dryer to the LAV. They still listed it on the site so I called my local Bernie's to see if they carried it. The salesman told me they were discontinued in '04 but could be special ordered from Maytag. He asked if he could call me back cause he had to call Maytag to make sure. He called me back within 10 minutes to tell me that he called Maytag and that there were only 30 left in their factory and that was all that was left in the country. I told him order it. It was shipped directly from the Maytag factory to Bernie's and was delivered yesterday. It is 100% GENUINE Maytag inside and out. The ENTIRE dryer is made of metal. When you close the door there is a solid thud. My mother absolutely LOVES it. Even the control panel is metal. It's heavy as hell. I am SOOO glad that I took the time to go through the steps and get something worth my money. (The dryer itself wasn't too bad but the special order and shipping and tax made it really expensive, that was the only downside) So in turn, they are still available but need to be special ordered. This includes the LAV Genuine Maytag washer. So if you want one, find a store that can special order it but be prepared to pay a premium...

Geoff

 

[runematic]

I stock the LAV3600 & MDE2600 pair. It's my most popular model.

Quote "He called me back within 10 minutes to tell me that he called Maytag and that there were only 30 left in their factory and that was all that was left in the country. " That's not exactly true. My local RDC has over 50 and has another 50 on the way. The Factory has close to 400 listed as avaiable. They still produce this washer!!! They shouldn't sell at a premium either. $549 washer & $499 dryer. good deal.

I'm glad the lousy SAV washers went away. As previous floks have stated, just about every one I sold had a main seal & bearing problem.

 

[mixfinder]

Norgetags

In 19977, I bought a new top of the line Maytag set. They had lighted consoles and tan/gold accent on the control panel. 24 years, four kids, a tranny overhaul, dryer motor and heating element later, we moved to a house with gas. I gave the set to a daughter's friend (still running) and bought the new Atlantis top of the line, in 2001. It was apparent to me it was a Norge knock off by the tub and agitator design. I fully expecting to hear the slamming gear agitation of the Norge and was very surprised at the breathy, but quiet sound of the washer. No mind numbling clack, clack, clack of the Kenmore/Whirlpool racheting agitators. It is cavernous and washes very well. The best performance improvement was in the dryer, faster and less wrinkling, more like the Kenmore. So far, besides weighing about 14 ounces and not having lighted consoles, I love the set.
Kelly

 

[geoff]

Well ain't that a B!t(h LOL

They probably just wanted the sale. I wonder where he got the figure of 30 from??? Either way, I'm ecstatic that I was able to get one. Hmmm, Oh well LOL I'm glad to know that they are FAR more readily available than I was led to believe..

Geoff