Maytags all the way
My mom has always had Maytags, first a 1964 model, then a 1977 A-608 set, and now a 1996 set. She loves them, and with the way she futzes with them they stand up to her abuse(it finally occured to me just recently, my mom knew only wringer washers until she was 41 and got her first automatic. She did laundry in that first Maytag Automatic like it was a wringer, and even still today does the same things.)
My faves were the 1977 set, they were around for 19 years, and were replaced mainly because they were harvest gold and not because of a breakdown. How I wish those were still around!
Growing up I knew people who had Maytags, Kenmores, Hotpoint, and Frigidaires. Our one neighbor always had Hotpoint, and went thru 2 washers to mom's one 1964 maytag.
I agree with Toggle, if we could turn back time...
Of course I'd buy a 1-18 with a window lid!!!