That's the Kenmore version of the Frigidaire 2140, and GE has its own version of the same machine. The Kenmore appears to have omitted the dark smoke color lens of the 2140 door, so it's easier to view the drum interior (there is a way to remove the lens in the 2140). I don't know of anyone here posting 2140 horror stories, most have reported that the machine gives good service as long as you can live with its design limitations (understandable given its moderate price).
I bought a 2140 in March 2006 and so far am delighted with the washer and its matching gas dryer. The machine does not have a heater, so you cannot wash above your hot water line temperature, but my water heater sits next to the washer, so supply is not really an issue. If I needed to wash in really hot water, I would have the option of raising the thermostat on the water heater temporarily for a single load. Also, traditional TL machines lacked heaters, so one could not wash above hot water line temperature with those machines, either.
In retrospect, I should have bought the 2940, which is one notch up their ladder from the 2140, because it has two useful features vs. the 2140:
1. Delay timing. 2140 has an eight hour delay timer. The 2940 has a 4-12 hour variable delay timer. I use the delay feature more than I first anticipated, mainly to set up a load to wash before bedtime, so that it's finished just when I wake up and is ready to load into the dryer. Since clothes are so much dryer after final spin (vs. a TL), drying times are cut by 1/3-1/2, so it's possible to dry a load while showering and having breakfast, before leaving for work. A variable delay feature is more flexible and useful than my fixed eight hour delay, and I wish I had it. Some electric utilities charge less for off peak consumption, though not in my area, and washing overnight with delay start could save on power bills in such areas.
2. 2940 has Automatic Temperature Control, whereas 2140 does not. The main issue here is seasonal variation in the temperature of my cold water line. In winter, it's icy cold and cannot be used to wash clothing on "cold" setting, whereas in summer it's suitable for cold water wash. ATC will mix the cold and hot inputs to ensure a constant "cold" and "warm" wash temperature. In winter, with icy cold water lines, that means it will mix in some warm water to keep the wash temperature at whatever the factory sets (I assume 65-70 F or thereabouts). Because of the very cold water line here in winter, I use only Warm or Hot settings in winter....with ATC on the 2940, I would be able to use Cold setting in winter. For someone whose heater is situated far from the washer, ATC could also help assure that "Warm" receives enough hot water to maintain a stable wash temperature.
The above two issues are relatively minor. 2140 does a great job of cleaning, within its limitations (can't operate above hot water line temp, so don't expect it to sterilize a load of soiled baby clothes), and is large enough for king sized comforters. In addition, it stays on the standard 27 x 27 footprint, so it fits in tight spaces that larger machines (e.g. Duet) do not, because they are deeper and taller.
The gentle and handwash cycles work great, so you can wash nearly everything that is marked "hand wash" in the 2140. Nice and gentle.
Finally, if you need to stack the machines, as I did, the top of the stack is a reasonable six feet high. If you stack Duets or LGs, the top of the stack (and the dryer controls) are 6'8" off the ground....ok if you are tall, not good if you are average or shorter height.
My sister recently bought a 2940 to replace a Maytag TL that broke down and was not repairable (but gave 20+ years good service). She has a laundry closet with accordion panel doors, and the closet was designed 20 years ago to accomodate standard washer and dryers of that era....meaning the doors would not be able to close with a Duet in place, but she was able to accomodate a 2940 and close the closet doors when not using the laundry.
Excellent value for money. The 2940 is one of the three machines rated Best Buy by CR, partly because it cleans as well as machines costing $1000-1200. The 2140 is even more moderatly priced
