Hi Geoff,
In December, my 2005 Whirlpool direct drive top loader began leaking oil. I had purchased it from a used appliance store a couple years before that, so I decided to retire it and get a new washer.
My first choice was an LG front loader with turbo wash, likely the 4000 model. However, given that I am blind, I had concerns about the inaccessibility of the control panel on this machine. It has menus that change and no tactile feedback on the panel so it's impossible to keep track of where one is non-visually when making selections. So, I ended up buying a cheap Whirlpool top loader with all knobs except for the push-to-start button, because this machine is very easy to use without sight. However...
I gave a lot of consideration to purchasing a Samsung FL, the reason being that they allege to now incorporate accessibility for visually impaired users out of the box. Apparently, there is braille beside the power and start/pause buttons as well as dots underneath the touch screen buttons for spin speed, soil level, and number of rinses, so a blind person would know where to find these key buttons on the panel. In addition, there are tones to help the user keep track of where they are on the menu; for example, a lower tone for the slowest speed, lightest soil, and least number of rinses, and the tones go higher as the user goes up through the menus. The reliance on visual touch screen controls is the main issue that's kept me away from FL's for so long, and Samsun appears to have solved that problem. I don't think your model would have these modifications as I believe they were introduced in 2021 or so.
All of the hate circulating the web about Samsung appliances is what stopped me from pulling the trigger. So many people seem to have issues with their Samsung washers, especially in regards to the aluminum alloy arm that holds the drum on FL's deteriorating in an alarmingly short amount of time. A lot of people here, many of whom are washer experts, appear to share this view. But then I read your post and feel like I judged prematurely and would have been perfectly happy with a Samsung FL. I really like my Whirlpool top loader, but sometimes I feel like I should have given the Samsung a try, rather than listening to all the noise.
I'm glad you are enjoying your washer.
Ryne