I'm a die-hard TL user...
And I will say this again: Modern top-loaders DON'T shred! Bob, perhaps there's some sort of defect in your '86 Lady K that you've overlooked, like a jagged portion in the tub/agitator? I've never had any problem or complaints with the '98 Kenmore or '03 Maytag Dependable Care, and there has been many a huge load stuffed into both machines. I want to see this question answered: If modern front-loaders have to have long cycle times for clean clothes, then how do the Westinghouse two-vane design and commercial double-loaders do it in a cycle comparable to that of a top-loader?
While I would love to forget about pre-treating stains, I'd just assume spray it, scrub it, throw it into the Frigidaire and get it done quickly!! Not really something I'd sacrifice an extra 1 1/2 hours for; I've pre-treated plenty of stains and it takes hardly any effort at all, so I don't really see any reason to bitch & whine about that. And while I know FL owners will get used to doing a load or two every day, the idea doesn't strike me as particularly convenient and to me, laundry would start to become more of a chore and less fun; saving up for a week and getting it all done in just a few hours is better, thank you very much! Considering that the modern front-loaders use hardly any water to begin with, I would much rather watch the rhythmic back-and-forth twisting of an agitator or the sloshing of a commercial or vintage FL.
--Austin