Should I pick up this Kenmore set? (advice for newbie)

[amyofescobar]

Hi there, I am very much a noob, and a youngin to boot (25yrs old). I got our lovely and pristine coppertone dishwasher through this site, you guys are the bomb!

Anyways, I'm in the Portland, OR area and I saw these guys. I really want to stop using the laundromat. They seem well taken care of. $175 for both.

I'm pretty tight on budget, of course. There is a 10 year old wash/dryer set right next store that is for sale for only $100. Good condition. But I'm wondering if I should go for vintage because of quality. Questions:
-Does anyone know anything about these models?
-Do vintage washers need more TLC than ones made 10 years ago?
-I doubt I'll be able to test these guys before I buy, what should I look for when I go to see them?
-What capacity are these? Hope it's not too small.

Anyways, I just thought they looked taken care of and pretty darn cute. I wonder how long they would last...

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/app/5055871012.html

 

[goatfarmer]

That's a direct drive Kenmore washer. pretty much bulletproof mechanically. The dryer is the style they used mechanically for a lot of years. They should last a long time.

 

[yogitunes]

for better washing and capacity, not to mention roll over, I would switch out that straight vane agitator for a dual action....

either one can add a softener dispenser if you would like....

 

[fan-of-fans]

Those are BOL Sears machines by Whirlpool. These appear to be Kenmore maybe early 90s, later they had brown consoles and were Galaxy. That was in the late 90s/early 00s. These are good machines. My parents have basically the same dryer but with a fancier console, no problems in 10 years.

 

[mayken4now]

get it

 

[amyofescobar]

Yogitunes, how difficult would that switch out be for the agitator?

 

[DADoES]

 
This is a low-end model that likely is one-speed if that is of any concern to your usage.  The delicate cycle, if it has one (possibly it doesn't), would run at high-speed with intermittent agitation for a gentler action.

 

[yogitunes]

easier than you would think.......remove the cap, remove bolt, lift old one out....

slide new one in, replace bolt, some may have a shield to be placed on top of the dogs, and pop either a cap or dispenser on top....

their so plentiful, you can find used ones almost anywhere....you just may have to put a set of dogs in there, as they will wear out over time and the top part wont function as it should....but again, easier than you think......check out youtube for simple videos....

something like this is what you will be looking for......I prefer the spirals that tilt downward, this is called a 'Plus' version.....there is also a 'standard', and a 'Triple' in that the spiral will bounce up and down to help push the load down as well.......and a dispenser would fit on top if you prefer....

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[yogitunes]

and this is the dispenser that would fit on top.....

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[yogitunes]

this style with built in dispenser will fit too!

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[yogitunes]

and this video will give you an idea of how to remove your old one, and install the new one, as well as replace the dogs......this guy is using a whole kit, but not always necessary, usually all you need to replace is the dogs...

cleaning and lubrication is at your option....

 

[coldspot66]

If this is a large capacity washer, these agitators shown are for super capacity washers. Clothing may get caught under the base if you use a super agitator in a narrow tub machine. There is a large capacity dual action agitator with a raised bottom skirt made for the large capacity machine.

 

[twintubber]

Direct Drives SUCK!!!

Avoid this machine at all costs.

 

[amyofescobar]

Ouch... Really? Is DD that bad? Hey, what about these two, $60 for both.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/app/5059909823.html

 

[twintubber]

Yep! They ceratainly are!!!

Whirlpool Direct Drive machines are bar far one of the WORST washing machines ever made.
A terrible agitator design and very violent agitation for the clothing.
Absolutely pathetic filtration ability.
Extremely poor rinsing, beyond unbelievable how poor it truly is.
Very, very noisy transmission.
These are very cheap and poorly made machines designed to fail within 7 years of "average" use.
This new post is a much better deal! A genuine Maytag will NEVER let you down.
And many on here would agree that the Maytag is by far the better machine of your two choices.
The dryer is essentially the same as the Kenmore one, but a much better model with more features that you may find come in handy.
I suggest you grab them while you can and let the amazing and wonderful experts on here guide you through anything you need to help you settle in with your "new" machines.
And best of luck to you!!!

 

[amyofescobar]

I'm confused. Some folks said they were good, but now you're saying they're horrible.

Sniffles, looks like the nice maytag has been taken welll... How's bout these? (Im trying to pick some up during the weekend while I'm borrowing a friends truck)

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/app/5055774442.html

 

[yogitunes]

one man's opinion.....

direct drive machines have been proven to be sturdy machines......most errors are mostly from the user, not the machine...

 

[amyofescobar]

Yogi tunes, do they not drain as well/not clean as well?

 

[wayupnorth]

Too bad Amy you misssd out on that Maytag but grab that set if you can. My 32 year old washer is the exact same model as that, that dryer is newer but the same model, neither having a penny spent on repairs in all this time. Too bad Speed Queen is the only one left making laundry that lasts and washes the way you want, not how it wants to like these Maytags will.