New Maytag MVWC200XW: Any good?

[dnastrau]

Greetings:

Background: My in-laws' roughly 10-year-old Whirlpool "Ultimate Care II" washing machine has broken down for the second time in less than a year and they are bent on getting a new washer. The last repair was just a coupler, but this time the machine trips the breaker everytime they turn it on - and a burnt electrical smell can be detected. I tried to convince my mother-in-law to get it repaired as I doubt that she will be as happy with a new machine (lower water levels, ATC, etc.), but she wants a new one at this point. If we lived closer, I would run over there and tackle it, but my work schedule will not allow it right now. So...

Would this MayPool machine be a decent choice? They can spend about $400 right now, and this machine can be had on sale for $399 at the moment. I believe that this is one of the new "belt drive" machines to replace the venerable Whirlpool DD design. Thanks for any experiences with this new design, etc.

Andrew S.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_68451-46-MVWC200XW_4294857976+4294965144_118_?productId=3257016&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Maytag_4294857976%2B4294965144_118_%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0&facetInfo=Maytag

 

[jbinflorida]

Hi, I have the Sears Kenmore version of this washer and I have been very happy with it so far. I have owned it since last July. I like that I can control the water levels as it has 4 settings and I can set it to do a regular rinse or a spray rinse. Also when I set the water level on large setting, it fills all the way up to the rim of the tub. Only 2 things I don't really like is the lid locks during the whole cycle and it takes quite a bit longer to complete a wash cycle compared to the older DD style washers with a mechanical timer.

I think these are the best machines on the market today!

Good luck!

 

[dnastrau]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback! Ideally, I'd like them to get a Speed Queen, but that probably isn't in the cards financially at the moment.

 

[dnastrau]

Saw the Maytag today... and a Roper direct drive

I looked at the Maytag today and I wouldn't have realized that it isn't a typical DD machine if it hadn't been for the lid lock and "Start" button. It looked like a pretty nice machine for the $399 sale price (regularly $499).

They had a Roper for $379 (regular price) that didn't have a lid lock, so I assume that it is still the old DD design. It is fairly plain, but it was the typical DD 3.1 cubic foot tub size (bleach dispenser but no fabric softener dispenser.

I told them about the Speed Queens but I don't think they will be able to swing that. If they get the "belt drive" Maytag I will post back with some impressions.

 

[macboy91si]

OR...

You could repair and save your money AND have a better machine in the long run probably.

I would put money on something got in the pump and the motor can't start. I worked on one just last month that did this. They had washed a pillow and the stuffing got into the pump and wound around the impeller. The motor would hum and sometimes just stop but most of the time kick the 15 amp breaker it was connected to. easy fix, $35 for a VERY easy to change pump.

Even if they had to pay a repairman to come over, the repair would probably be reasonable.

With this machine though at least you can have to a decent rinse. I'd still take WP over this.

-Tim

 

[300c]

DO NOT Purchase the DD Roper!!!

The DD Roper during rinse will, REGARDLESS OF THE SELECTD WATER LEVEL, only fill to the base of the agitator shaft!!! The Maytag, however, being more sophisticated, will do spray rinses and OPTIONALLY a deep second rinse, which actually works. There's a RINSE RASH thread on this site that talks about this.

The same is true for the new, BOL GE washers. The owners HATE them. On GE's own web site they show nothing but one-star (out of five) reviews for thse BOL machines. The owners were told this is due to the 2012 water regs. The higher-end GE agitator washers get much better reviews because of the better rinsing they offer, just like the Maytag.

I would purchase either the Maytag you're looking at or the comparable Kenmore or Whirlpool. Do not purcahse the next model up with auto water level. You cannot over-ride it. The machine you're asking about DOES offer three or four water level choices.

 

[macboy91si]

@ 300C

You can easily change the rinse level to full setting in a matter of minutes on the Roper and as far as new GE's go, who in their right wig buys one of those anyway, they were one of the 1st in the hydrowave/washplate boat.

 

[dnastrau]

Belt drive Whirlpool

Well, they wasted no time today and already bought a new belt drive Whirlpool. It is basically the same machine as the Maytag. It is supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning but I don't know how soon I will be able to get over to check it out. I'll report back as soon as I can. It isn't a Speed Queen but should be interesting nevertheless.

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I didn't realize that about the Roper and the rinse level so I am glad that they didn't buy it.

 

[dnastrau]

They bought a Whirlpool WTW4850XQ HE toploader (!!??)

Well, I found out today that they bought a higher end Whirlpool than I originally thought, a WTW4850XQ for $549.00. So much for the $400.00 budget! This is an "Energy Star" rated top loader (with a detergent dispenser and an agitator - not an impeller) and I fear that it is one of those machines that severely dumbs down the water temperature and the water level. Apparently it recommends that you use HE detergent. What frustrates me the most is that they were getting into entry-level Speed Queen top loader territory at that price.

I will have to post impressions in a new thread once I have a chance to get over there. I hope they will not regret this purchase...

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=348896-46-WTW4850XQ&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3370024&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[combo52]

NEW WP BELT DRIVE WASHER

I think they will probably be very satisfied with this washer, even though I would have gone with a SQ FLer or a SQ TL if money is tight. The good thing about the new WP compared to the SQ TL is that even if the WP only lasts a half dozen years the energy savings will more than pay for the washer over this time compared to using the SQ TLer.

 

[macboy91si]

WP

There is one of the WP models I would not mind having, it may the one your parents bought and that you linked to. It's a lower end model with a full agitator and the rinse fill selection. Maybe in a couple of years I can find one on the cheap used and then make my own assessment. I think Jamie has one and put a different agitator in it. It's really the low water levels and wash-plates that I have issue with. I don't care for the machine's lack of brake, but the machine that Jamie posted still whipped a Frigidaire so I guess it's not terrible.

 

 

-Tim

 

[mrb627]

Automatic Water Level

That is the model with automatic water level control only. Not sure I like that feature.

Malcolm

 

[dnastrau]

I will see it tomorrow

We will be heading over to my in-laws tomorrow and I will post my impressions of the new washer. So far, my mother-in-law likes it, so Combo52 may be right about them liking it As long as she likes it and it provides good performance/reliability, that is all that really counts.