Stop being neurotic about this!
Let me break down what you mentioned here in a reasonable, point by point explanation, because obviously you're not getting the answer you are looking for.
> its the question of budget and the question of space
My TOL GE washer set me back about $830 when I bought it back in 2004. The BOL (Bottom of the line) version was somewhere around $350. I don't regret purchasing it at all. Despite the extra money I had spent, I suspect that the $350 model probably would have cleaned my clothing just as well as the more expensive model.
If space is an issue, then perhaps a full sized laundry set isn't what you are looking for. You could look at a european-style washer/dryer instead, but they are pricey.
> if my actual set broke tommorws morning and needed one fast
Well, that's what laundromats are for. Seriously. But let me elaborate below.
> its the question of budget
If you compromise on the price, you will end up buying crap and you'll have to replace them again. Put aside some cash every month until budget is no longer an issue. If you save your pennies and put a bit aside every month, you can get a TOL machine which you won't regret purchasing.
> evaluating my needs and cycle use
Well, seriously... how often do you use cycles other than the normal / cottons cycle? I found that even though my TOL GE has Perm. Press, Handwash, Delicates, etc, I spend most of my time using the Cottons / Normal cycle. So, I didn't really need the extra features. However, being able to use the handwash cycle has come in handy every so often.
> low level fill for a top load washer
I've been seeing more and more top loaders like this. This is one good reason to move away from using a top loader. I don't see how they can clean your clothes.
> rebadge whirlpool and roper brand
Roper is downmarket Whirlpool. It's what contractors buy when they build houses. Inglis is just about the same quality as Roper. It's all made by Whirlpool. Why settle for less and buy a downmarket brand that you're not going to be happy with?
> 16 cycle program model
Do you really need that many cycles? Why? What kind of clothing do you wear? Seriously, how many cycles do you use on a regular basis?
> i am afraid that a fl model would be a danger to my cats compare to a top load
> where they can not jump up.
This is why you check the machine before you put laundry in it. You watch it from the time you put your clothes into it to the time you close the door and start it. I had a friend of mine who accidentally killed his cat because the cat lept into his "Front Load" dryer.
Jeez man, stop being so neurotic about this. If you want to replace your machines because you love to spend money and make Whirlpool that much richer, go right ahead, but you will never be happy with what you buy.
If you save up and spend a decent amount of your hard earned wages on an expensive machine, you'll be happy with it.
Ultimately, when it comes down to it, it's not the amount of cycles which determine what makes a machine good or not. It's just how well it cleans your clothes and how well it dries them. I don't think I can make that any more clear.
Let me put that last sentence into perspective. Before the automatic washer days, wringer washers had one cycle. On. That allowed people to get by just fine.