Just replaced a 32 year old maytag that still works. The new Speed Queen is absolutely fantastic. We just love it. Doesn't get any better then this! No complaints, everything we want, nothing we don't need. Keeping the old maytag for a backup machine. I am glad the few minor complaints I read here did not keep me from wanting to buy it.
New awn432sp Speed queen washer
- Thread starter rtg3
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mamapinky
Well-known member
Congrats..I also have the AWN432 going on 4 months old. .LOVE it..Cheryl
If I HAD to replace my 1984 Maytag it would be with that model Speed Queen. Some of the early 80's Maytag models had a bad motor pulley that made a loud rat a tat during agitation and spin. Its a $28 part and it will just hum like new. Thanks to AW, I learned what was wrong and was able to get it fixed easily.
"I can only hope this new Speed Queen last as long."
I don't mean to take the wind out of your sails, but I think the probability for that is rather low. Your Maytag was built like a tank and has a porcelain enameled top to keep it looking as good as it performs. Your plain painted Speed Queen was built to provide an old school washing system, but any comparison to a 34 year old Maytag stops there.
Depending on how much use it gets, you may find yourself faced with belt replacement on your Speed Queen more like once every 34 months. If you find that hard to believe, remove the front panel sometime and behold the black residue.
We had an Amana (a Speed Queen AWN432 clone) for nine years. It was on its third belt when we got rid of it, and for most of the time we had it, there were only two adults in the household so it had a fairly easy life. Alliance has made some improvements to the Speed Queen's mechanical components, but it doesn't take a lot of searching on this site to find complaints about how these machines still have a tendency to chew up belts -- and those belts are nowhere near as easy to remove and replace as on a Maytag like yours. Oh, the irony.
All of that having been said and given today's options, a Speed Queen is as close as you can get to that old Maytag of yours, so in that regard you could not have done any better.
I don't mean to take the wind out of your sails, but I think the probability for that is rather low. Your Maytag was built like a tank and has a porcelain enameled top to keep it looking as good as it performs. Your plain painted Speed Queen was built to provide an old school washing system, but any comparison to a 34 year old Maytag stops there.
Depending on how much use it gets, you may find yourself faced with belt replacement on your Speed Queen more like once every 34 months. If you find that hard to believe, remove the front panel sometime and behold the black residue.
We had an Amana (a Speed Queen AWN432 clone) for nine years. It was on its third belt when we got rid of it, and for most of the time we had it, there were only two adults in the household so it had a fairly easy life. Alliance has made some improvements to the Speed Queen's mechanical components, but it doesn't take a lot of searching on this site to find complaints about how these machines still have a tendency to chew up belts -- and those belts are nowhere near as easy to remove and replace as on a Maytag like yours. Oh, the irony.
All of that having been said and given today's options, a Speed Queen is as close as you can get to that old Maytag of yours, so in that regard you could not have done any better.
Yes, I agree with your statement. That's why I only hope. There's not the simplicity in the Speed Queen and being a direct drive setup compared to the old maytag it will be harder to work on. I knew all this before I brought it. Being an auto mechanic for thirty five years i'm not afraid of it , but it won't bust my bubble because I don't expect it to last that long. They dont make much of anything like they use to but it's is close as i'll get. I still love the washer. I will be Refurbishing the old Maytag in my spare time and plan to get many more years of use out of it.
Congratulations on your new machine. I have the same one, bought it earlier this year in the spring. I read the manual very carefully when they installed it and follow said instructions, also read up what repair technitions advised. I don't use much liquid detergents at all, as I don't want the pump to gum up or wear out. I'm finding that I don't need to use the 2nd rinse like I did on its replacement, use detergent sparingly but the results are still very good. And lastly, I don't overload it, ever, as this is pointed out 2 or 3 times in the manual. As for the finish, I ALWAYS wipe it down with a damp cloth after use and haven't noticed any discoloration or anything.
So far I'm very pleased with it. I like the simplicity of the controls and panel and I LOVE the quick wash times and results.
If you take care of it, it should take care of you.
So far I'm very pleased with it. I like the simplicity of the controls and panel and I LOVE the quick wash times and results.
If you take care of it, it should take care of you.
mrb627
Well-known member
Similarly...
I purchased an Amana set in 1997 which is currently in use at my Aunt's house. At nearly 20 years old, it has never had a belt change. I would expect that if there was a belt consuming issue, the coin-op world wouldn't be what it is for the Speed Queen brand. Instead, I would say that there is a problem with OEM replacement belts not up to the task. So, in the event that a belt is required in your future, be sure you replace it with a genuine part.
Malcolm
I purchased an Amana set in 1997 which is currently in use at my Aunt's house. At nearly 20 years old, it has never had a belt change. I would expect that if there was a belt consuming issue, the coin-op world wouldn't be what it is for the Speed Queen brand. Instead, I would say that there is a problem with OEM replacement belts not up to the task. So, in the event that a belt is required in your future, be sure you replace it with a genuine part.
Malcolm
fordiesel69
Active member
Does anyone know what the newer mechanical models offer that the AWN412 did not? What all was improved?
brucelucenta
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Messages
- 1,924
Amazing...
Still amazing that this machine gets compared to old school Maytag machines. They PALE in comparison and would never stand up to long hard usage like the Maytag's have. On top of that, the top of the machine is a painted surface, not porcelain enamel like the Maytag was. All Alliance did when they bought Speed Queen was to improve a very flawed mechanism design. They seem to have done so reasonably well at least, although there are still some problems with it. Having worked on many of the Speed Queen/Amana washers made in the 80's and 90's, I can say they had many problems with belts, tub seals/bearings and some transmission issues. It soured me on EVER trusting or wanting a Speed Queen product again. There has not been a really heavy duty commercial Speed Queen washer made for home use since the end of the '60s. After that they made junk for home use. They still made the commercial coin op washers with the solenoids up till the Amana made machines. But those were only for commercial use.
Still amazing that this machine gets compared to old school Maytag machines. They PALE in comparison and would never stand up to long hard usage like the Maytag's have. On top of that, the top of the machine is a painted surface, not porcelain enamel like the Maytag was. All Alliance did when they bought Speed Queen was to improve a very flawed mechanism design. They seem to have done so reasonably well at least, although there are still some problems with it. Having worked on many of the Speed Queen/Amana washers made in the 80's and 90's, I can say they had many problems with belts, tub seals/bearings and some transmission issues. It soured me on EVER trusting or wanting a Speed Queen product again. There has not been a really heavy duty commercial Speed Queen washer made for home use since the end of the '60s. After that they made junk for home use. They still made the commercial coin op washers with the solenoids up till the Amana made machines. But those were only for commercial use.
mamapinky
Well-known member
Rtg...nothing wrong with comparing the SQ to the old Maytag..I think I understood you. The SQ is designed to be as close to the old skool washers as you can find. Hope it gives you many years of clean clothes. This is the perfect washer for someone that wants new but old at the same time....Cheryl
maylingsmom
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2015
- Messages
- 45
I think I am one of the people who have also compared it to Maytag. I had a Maytag for 16 years and loved it. I can't speak for anyone else, but I believe I commented that the SQ reminded me of the Maytag that I loved. I think you will find especially on this forum that there are people who love SQ and others who do not. I say use the machine you love 
and I happen to love my SQ.
and I happen to love my SQ.
