New or used fridge?

[fan-of-fans]

I'm hopefully getting my place soon and I was wondering what kind of fridge to get? I've always liked Side by sides with dispensers, so am looking at those mainly, but may go for a top freezer model. I looked at Sears and liked their Kenmore made by Whirlpool side by side with ice and water for under $1000. However, the warranty is only one year.

I also looked at some appliance stores and saw Frigidaires for even cheaper, but from what I read they aren't the most reliable. Also looked at a Crosley and some GEs and Amanas and Whirlpools. One thing I noticed is freezer space is quite small unless you get a better model with in door ice maker.

I also considered going with an older used model. I've always liked the fridges with white handles and chrome trim on the handles. My favorite are Amana ones from the early 90s with the chrome door handles and side door trim and automatic nite lite. But I am guessing these use a lot more electricity than newer ones and could "die" at any time? My neighbors had one until about 2006 when they remodeled and got a Kenmore. I forget if it ever had any problems.

Also what is considered a good price for a used fridge and what should I look for as far as issues?

 

[davey7]

I have a three year old Frigidaire and am happy enough with it. I mean, it's nothing special, but it does keep the food cold and the ice cream frozen (I don't have any trouble-making things like ice or water stuff though). I was also limited in door clearance into my kitchen, as well as by available fridge space and this one was one of the few that worked for me.

 

[DigAPony]

New fridges are only slightly more energy efficient than those made in past 20 years or so.

GE side by sides up to around 1999 are good and have the look you're after. Nice ones for around $200 pop up on Craigslist regularly.

Like this:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/app/4681148940.html

 

[fan-of-fans]

That GE looked pretty nice. The Frigidaires didn't look bad. They didn't seem to be bad for the price, I think it was $850.

This version of Amana is my favorite though, don't know why. Mainly the chrome trim and the silver logo between the doors.

 

[fan-of-fans]

And this cool looking (IMO) dispenser panel with that automatic nite lite that I think only they offered? And an actual dispenser grate that you don't see much on new ones.

Maybe the yellowing could be removed with cleaning.

 

[frigilux]

I have three Frigidaire refrigerators. One is six years old, one is twelve, and one is eighteen (it lives in the break room at work). None of them have ever needed service. Don't worry about the reliability of Frigidaire's refrigerators.

 

[e2l-arry]

I just bought

A Sears Kenmore Elite, 22 CF Bottom freezer w/ ice maker. So far I really like it. It was on sale in July for $1,100.00, about $400 off regular price. It replaced a 22 CF top freezer Whirlpool from 1997. At 17, the Whirlpool was still running but with a kitchen remodel, it was time for an upgrade. The new one is even more quiet them my old one and the LED lighting looks very cool. I really like having the freezer on the bottom. This one has a digital thermostat. It comes set with the freezer at 0 and the fridge at 37. You can change them but they claim those temperatures are optimal and I've seen no need to mess with them. I notice when I'm defrosting something now it takes about a day longer than before. That can only mean this one is a set bit colder than my old one.