I bought this model in September of '97. One down from top of line...the TOL had one more wash/spin option....slow/fast. This model didn't have that, but I found I could "create" the same by choosing the hand wash cycle and selecting normal/fast...wash was still gentle, but the spin was fast. Great machine...the transmission went out in mine last year...no other repairs...and I replaced it with a Speed Queen top loader.