Purchase dilemma: MVWP575GW or bust

[theredeemed1]

My wife and I bought our first house last year. The seller said that the washing machine broke, so he bought us a new GE GTW465ASNASNWW. The dryer is much older - a Kenmore 76902691.

Since then, we've used both the washer and dryer and haven't had any problems. The Kenmore dryer looks pretty ugly, though, and some of its panels are coming loose, so we decided to visit our local appliance store. I'd heard good things about Speed Queen, and they're a dealer.

They had a bunch of Speed Queen customer returns; they said as of several weeks ago, a big batch of them had bad control boards. That was a red flag. I then saw closeout deals on the Maytag 575 washer and dryer, which have gotten pretty good reviews elsewhere. I placed an order for a set since they had a clearance sale plus rebate. My original plan was to sell the GE and haul away the Kenmore.

Now, though, I found the forum and am anxious that I've made a mistake. There seem to be quite a few problems with the 575 series with the transmission, and not having any sort of water level adjustment, manual or otherwise, is making me antsy.

I'm not really sure what the best course of action would be here. If you were in my position, would you...

- Stick with the current appliances and replace them as needed
- Cancel the washer and buy the dryer (I've heard that dryers are sort of like microwaves where the basic functionality is all you really need)
- Stick with the 575 set
- Something else (I.E. suck it up and buy Speed Queen)

Not interested in looking around for vintage machines.

 

[pinkpower4]

Maytag mvwp575gw

I have owned this machine for 4.5 years now without issues. I use the appropriate water temp, don't overload, and the correct amount of a quality detergent. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets.

You can't beat the wash action of this washer.

I'm curious as to what you paid? I paid $800 plus tax in 2018 at an independent and locally owned appliance place.

This washer will probably last around 8 to 10 years for a typical family if you don't do anything but minor repairs.

The SQ TC5 (get the model with the white/silver control panel NOT the white/black or TR series model) will probably last around 12 to 15 years for a typical family if you don't do anything but minor repairs.

Your mileage may vary based on family size, how your treat the washer, etc. Since you are here, you are probably more mindful of the things that can prolong the life of appliances .

Maytag is coming out with a new model that will include a water level switch (I think they are mvwp585?? and mvwp586??. I believe it may already be available at limited places. Lack of a water level switch is the biggest con for me. Now that my kids are older and it's mostly me, I need to do smaller loads. The only smaller load with the 575 model is Normal. When installed per instructions, normal means cold water is added when hot is chosen and even more cold than would be added to the deepwater cycles for a "warm" wash resulting in a luke warm or cool wash. Lack of tap hot, a wash cycle of only 7 minutes, and spray rinse only means it's not the best choice for a small load of whites. The wash action is too rough for delicates, so you'll have to use a full tub of water for that. With that said, I find it works well for those smaller loads and quick washes. Surprisingly, the spray rinse works well. The Maytag is still my main washer. I only use the TC5 for certain loads as needed.

The Maytag deep water wash cycles work as expected. I often use a presoak of 10 minutes with them. I love that presoak is a separate option with this washer. My TC5 only gives me the option to combine a presoak of 30 minutes (by then the water cools off) WITH an extra rinse that I do not want.

To the best of my knowledge this washer has tap hot for the deep water washes. My water heater is set at 120. Above that, it seems to also have tap hot. I would have to do further testing to confirm that.

Price difference is a factor especially now with the Maytag have the water level control. While the Maytag won't last as long, you won't pay as much for it either. For what it's worth, most on here will still recommend the Whirlpool/Maytag dryers. I can't justify the difference for the matching SQ DC series dryer unless you just want a matching set or the option to add a drying rack. Factor in that additional cost if you want a matching set.

For me, I'd pay the difference for the water level control if it's not too much if you end up getting the Maytag.

The one good thing about the Maytag is it seems like a lot easier for me to fix--I have no training. If you have to pay someone to fix your washer including minor repairs, I'd go with the SQ. The minor repairs I am thinking of don't cost much in regard to parts, but labor is expensive. You may have more minor repairs with the Maytag because of the design that is used so the tub and agitator move separate.

The SQ TC5 has a real transmission that is backed by a 15 years part only warranty (so you're only out the labor, but I doubt this part will be an issue for you in that time frame). The suspension is better. The TC5 has a metal outer tub that is secured with heavy springs to the base. The Maytag has hung suspension. The outer tub is plastic and four rods with springs secure it to the frame of the washer (there is more movement), and the overall build quality is better. This should apply to the electronics too but they should have stuck with the mechanical controls for their basic washers!

Regarding Maytag suspension. Just wash like items with like items. If you want to wash something like a small pet bed, then balance it with something of equal weight and size. I do supervise these loads.

Hope that helps. I'd be curious what you decide to go with and why.

 

[combo52]

Stick with your current washer if you’d like it

Replace the dryer if you like best dryers for the money or whirlpool or Maytag with the filters on the top.

The Speed Queen is an excellent dryer a little bit pricey they are not having any problems with boards on their dryers.

If I were buying a Speed Queen however, I’d probably save the money and get the one with the timer. It still has a three-year parts and labor warranty, the models with boards have a seven year parts and labor warranty. I wouldn’t worry about the remark the dealer made

We serve the Baltimore Washington area and I’ve seen no dryer board failures here to speak of.

I would skip the Maytag washer it’s really not any heavier duty than their regular cheap machines. If you want to upgrade from the GE you have now get a decent front loader. Speed Queen would be the best one. You can also get a Maytag or whirlpool or an LG if you have service in your area for LG.

John.

 

[repairguy]

Your old kenmore dryer is a 1979 year model.

 

[theredeemed1]

My, my...

Like I tell my wife, our buying philosophy is: we don't buy things all the time, but when we do, we buy quality. Simple. Unfortunately, quality isn't so simple to find these days, but I'm probably preaching to the choir...

The washer was $799 and the dryer $899 - that plus a $75 rebate for the two of them (not massive, but every bit helps...)

The wife doesn't want a front-loading washer. Getting an updated washer that at least has the ability to change the water level sounds interesting - we have that right now on our GE washer, and I hate to feel like I'm downgrading when I'm upgrading, especially when I consider it basic functionality.

I'm leaning toward riding out the GE washer and just getting a decent dryer. I want something that's made in this country.

There's a floor model DC5 for about $1200, or I could stick with the 575 dryer for around $900. Probably isn't a massive amount of difference between the two, although I conceptually like the idea of a "sanitize" cycle. So... that's what I'm thinking now.

I don't think that's our exact Kenmore model, incidentally - ours looks very old but not *that* old. Maybe they reused the same model designation?

 

[ryner1988]

I don't think I'd spend even the 575 price on a dryer.

Whirlpool/Maytag still makes the classic top-mount lint filter dryers and some of them run as low as $500 or so last I looked. In my opinion, as long as you have a good auto-dry cycle, timed dry, and a separate temperature control, that's all you'd ever need in a dryer.

 

[rp2813]

Dryers tend to run forever.  You could find a nice used Whirlpool or Kenmore with top mounted lint screen from either a dealer, which would likely include a warranty period, or from a private party.  Or you can get a GE that matches your washer.  I agree with John about keeping the washer.  Maytags aren't what they used to be.  As long as both of your machines are working, you have the luxury of time to conduct your search for a more presentable dryer.

 

[pinkpower4]

Maytag mvwp585gw vs TC5

I am not sure what the difference is you'll pay. To me that may make a difference in what I could get. Where I live, the Maytag set updated models with water level control is looking to be around $2200, and the Speed Queen TC5/DC5 dryer almost $2700.

Keep in mind you can save money if you don't want a matching dryer.

The Speed Queen washer is about $250 to $300 more. After having and using both (the older model and considering the newer model has water level control), I think the difference for the SQ TC5 washer is worth it. You're getting a real transmission that is backed by a 15-yr part only warranty. This design eliminates the occasional repairs I think you may have with the Maytag. I am getting older so physically trying to fix the washer is harder, and I don't see as well as I need to is another reason I went with the SQ for the next set. The suspension is better. The outer tub is metal and secured to the base by heavy duty springs. I don't have to worry as much about those loads that can become off balance. It just seems better built. Speed Queen is supposed to have better electronics. If you take into consideration the cost of parts for the Maytag (even though the ones I am thinking of aren't that expensive) and the likelihood the SQ TC5 will last longer, it pays for itself.

I got the TC5 because I needed smaller load options and didn't want to risk not getting it at all. You never know when the restrictions on appliances can get tighter, and they are hard to find. I put my name on a waiting list.

I ended up getting the DC5 dryer simply because I wanted a matching set, and it has the option for a drying rack.

With that said, I got the old dryer (LG) working and am still using it with a Maytag washer and SQ washer LOL.

Someday it will come together.

So my overall first choice is the SQ TC5 is you can swing the extra. If you can't get the SQ set where you live or you just don't have the extra, my second overall choice is the Maytag set. It's still my first choice for the cleaning performance. The dual action agitator is very effective in moving clothes down, in, and through the water. With that said, the SQ wash action on the TC models works well too.

If you are happy with the washer, maybe get a dryer now. It can even be the one to match the washer you plan to get later if that's your ultimate goal. Models do change though, but may not in the time you can comfortably afford to replace the washer.

 

[theredeemed1]

The resolution

I wound up canceling the order for the Maytag 575 set and purchasing a DR5. We'll ride out the GE washer for the time being. Maybe I'll even get the wife to reconsider a frontloader if the DR5 does well.

While I genuinely believe everyone's feedback that a dryer is a dryer for the most part, the price isn't an object, and I don't trust the powers that be not to place dryers under similar "environmental" restrictions as washers in the future.

My use case is also a little unusual in that our units are in the basement, and the staircase down to the basement is very narrow. The DR5 is the narrowest dryer that's available at our local dealer.