New TL WP/KM/MYTG OPINIONS?

[spinmon]

Does anyone have experience with new Whirpool made top loaders that have the stainless tub ,but still have a regular agitator? I don't think I'm ready for a FL and my '97 Kenmore DD 90 series works fine,so when she DOES go (or I just gotta get the faster spin speed of the new model), do ya's think I'm retawded considering this machine?

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: If it were me:

I tend to believe in "Trial and Error" about most of the Brands and Models through the years, so I would personally look into the new WPKenmoreMaytag Washer with the Stainless Steel Tub and the Matching Dryer as well.

Good Luck with your decision, let us know what you end up doing whenever.

Good Laundrying, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[panthera]

William

I think SS is always a step forward.
But as for the rest; if you really want to stick with TLs, then you would be much better off getting your 1997 machine repaired and keep her running than to buy any of the new junk on the market right now.
I think enough folks have posted enough info on the newer US made (or marketed) TLs over that last years that it is not arrogant or rude for me to point out that the quality just isn't there anymore. Your 1997 was one of the last of the decent machines...ten years on, well, the managers running the firms have a "screw the customer, screw the shareholders" mentality going which is scary. Just compare any new US built TL with even a Merloni or Bauknecht product on the sales floor.
The only real development and decent build quality in the US these days is going into FLs. The firms have already written the TLs off, there will be no more effort to bring back good quality.
Is there a reason you especially want to stick with TLs? I'm curious, I admit. The extra washing time in FLs drove me crazy when I first came to Europe, but, gosh - the results really blew me away.

 

[liamwa]

Whirlpool DDs

I don't think the Whirly DD has suffered much in terms of quality since 1997. The most common repairs on them are couplers and pumps. Also after a while the neutral drain doesn't work all the time. Whether you buy a cheepo Roper or the TOL Whirltag, it's still the same old reliable DD tranny underneath. These machines have always spun at 640-rpm by the way, and I think they still do. The Whirlpool with the stainless tub and faster spin you may be referring to is the smaller Cabrio with the agitator. That machine is an F&P clone, and spins at over 1000-rpm. I think it's a pretty reliable washer, but maybe there's an owner of one here who could tell you a bit more about it.

Hope this helps.
Liam

 

[panthera]

Liam,

I looked long and hard at US TLs in 2000 and again in 2005. I know my opinions are very strong compared to folks who only live in North America, but believe me - when you don't see the stuff day in, day out you notice the drop in quality.
It shows up in things like the little spring loaded clamp they used to use on the knops - it held them tightly to the shaft and also kept them from splintering. Gone.
Or the Shout! resistant top coat on the control panels.
Gone. Sometimes there, sometimes not.
Or the pretty tight quality control. Now they just build in what is delivered (the Japanese trust system, without the quality). One batch may be outstanding, one terrible. Proof I am not just talking through my ass? Look at the Bauknecht (Whirpool) recalls of the last years. That dratted heating element problem keeps coming up...
The sheet metal processing - despite the claims that Whirlpool invented all this thousands of years ago - is very poor compared to what you saw in the last century.
Nope, sorry. I know the modern Whirlpool fans are absolutely certain their "brand" is the best on earth and European detractors are traitors, but the best than can be said is: At least they aren't Amananananatags.
Yet.

 

[spinmon]

seein' 'pooh' too

I noticed the selector switiches just 'click' on the new washers. My '97s have a smooth detent feel not felt in the new stuff.To take away something SO customer interactive makes me BELIEVE the 'F' thy customer statements.Crap! I wanted to think the new machines are 'worthy' TL or FL. I just don't think I'll have as much FUN with a FL-3 agitation speeds,adding my own additional spray rinses,full control of cycles.And I'm pretty sure the new TL spin is 1000rpm or so. The '97 DOES still look new,& only 1 repair (New Trans in 1st year for no nuetral drain-warranty).HMMmmm

 

[jons1077]

My additional two cents...

The quality is lacking across the board as far the the "American-made" appliances. I had it in my mind when I replaced all of my appliance that the higher end/higher cost Kenmore models would be of higher quality and would have better service. WRONG!!! The $1,500 washer is made out of the same plastic crap and poor engineering as the $200 machine.

Recently I have acquired two vintage machines; a Westinghouse TL and an early 80's Lady Kenmore. Those two machines HANDS DOWN knock the socks off of anything new out there now. In the future I am only using vintage appliances and will maintain them as best I can because they WERE built to last. I won't bother with anything new again.

Just my experience if it's worth anything. Thanks for listening.

Jon

 

[peterh770]

Go Speed Queen

 

[lulundave]

I do have some experience with both Cabrio's. I owned the Cabrio HE without the agitator for 6 months. In that time I found it was a terrible machine. It did not clean clothing properly. It twisted and wrinkled clothes so badly that the dryer couldn't get them out. On one occasion I had to vacuum out the drum of the washer as it left sand residue in the bottom. It used about 5 inches of water to clean a load of 7 mens jeans. It required alot of pre-sorting, zipping up, tying of strings etc. It also required a person to load it a specific way (drop piles in around the impeller)After many compliants and 3 service calls Whirlpool agreed to replace it with the Cabrio with agitator.

The Cabrio with agitator is GREAT. It washes and rinses beautifully. It spins like crazy. It is quiet. It does a nice hot wash (not dumbed down). And it holds a HUGE amount of laundry.

I don't really know about the reliability of the machine. They are too new to say.

But so far - I am much more happy with this one than the $1000.00 piece of junk Cabrio HE I suffered with.

 

[launderess]

Gotta Love Dat Vintage

Will agree that washers evenfrom the 1980's for the most part punch the clocks off most of the new things out there. Proof of this is the fact one finds many of such units either at the curb,or dumpster but in very good condition. Even when the condition is poor the units themselves still work and or would work with some minor work. More often than not, someone decided to junk the older appliance for new, thinking they would get a better machine. Ha!

Often also some small thing causes a machine not to work correctly, and owners assume the thing is junk. Things such as a sock or some small object caught in the pump.

One good thing about vintage machines is that they were built and designed to be repaired. Unlike today's garbarge offerings where the unit has a lifespan of about 6 years, so why bother putting in parts/systems that can be replaced if needed.

L.

 

[exploder3211]

I have new GE (non hydrowave) T/L... Not thrilled with the plastic tub, as it already has started to show some kinda funky looking dirty water marks, but for the $350 i paid for it, so long as it lasts 5-6 years i'm happy... Besides at that point i will hoepfully have some place to have a few other units and this one won't be the daily driver... I wouldn't mind swapping it for a Fisher and Paykel but not sure how reliable this would be.. The only person i know of who owns one is daddeos (glen) on here... His has been ok, but still leaves me watning more info

 

[spinmon]

I Knew Someone Knew !

Thanks lulundave. I just thought this machine,tub size & agitator looked right to me.About $750.00 (list) I think for the glass lid model,which I'd HAVE to have.I don't think I'd get the matching dryer right away.The '97 matching dryer has worked perfectly & I don't think there's much GOOD difference on the match to the the new washer I like.By the way,the new '97 dried ONE load & quit running.Called Sears,they said they'd send out a repairman-sounded like bad motor.I said NOOOoo!Send me out another NEW one,you ain't doin' major work on a brand new machine!(prolly a DUD!)They did,no problem.

 

[bobbyd32l]

Cabrio HE

I own the Cabrio HE and its the best washing machine we have owned since our Lady Kenmore of the early 80's...

I have never had one instance of tangling, it uses the most water on sheets/towels cycle, and I haven't had any issues with sand removal.

The Cabrio/Oasis line isn't like a normal washing machine that everyone is used to. You CAN'T just dump the clothes into the machine, it needs to be loaded like it has an agitator, separated properly, and evenly. I have washed over 7 pairs of mens jeans on the sheets cycle, it filled just up to 3/4 full and it turned them over with ease!

I don't understand why all these people are having so many problems with this line... I work at Sears, and people just aren't used to the new HE machines, are afraid of them, and don't know how to use them...