Your 2¢ gets my vote...
Hello,
+One on your extrapolation of GE/Hotpoint. Now.
I hate to knock so many things...but those GE/Hotpoint things are not that great "here" either.
Last 2 to 4 years on average before all you mention, and then tranny, clutches, motors...
I am not fond of low end, top loads from anyone; if I had to buy one, it would be the Maytag/Whirlpool new.
I would also suggest a Direct Drive used Whirlpool/Maytag iteration Used for a bill or so ($100) while I saved the money to buy a little higher up the ladder.
For What It's Worth,
LaVidaBoem