Should I............?

[jaxsunst]

Right now, I have a 1992 MOL Kenmore DD. For my family of 4 (7 including cats), I do between 12-15 loads a week. The machine is extremely reliable, but a water hog, and our water bills averages between 50-60 a month.

A used appliance store near my home has a freshly repaired Calypso for $100. It has a bigger capacity (fewer loads) and uses less water. Would it be a good investment as a daily driver?

I would have just grabbed it, but given the questionable reliability and reviews I have read here, I thought I would ask.

Thanks.

 

[jaxsunst]

Also........

I have a home warrenty that covers my washer and dryer repairs.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Jackson for $100 that is a good deal, do you have room to hook up both washers (keeping the DD) and having the Calypso to play with? The Calypso is worth it for the drama alone.

 

[rapunzel]

Hi jax,

May I ask what percentage of that 50 or 60 dollars per month is for laundry? When you state that you wash 12 to 15 loads per week, do mean full or partial loads?

Cheers

'R'

 

[jaxsunst]

It's full loads. I have two very active kids who are involved in sports, scouting, you name it. Laundry is my job, I sort it usually on Friday after work, and by the time I go to bed on Sunday night, it is all done.

I'm not sure about the percentage. We run our dishwasher (less than 6 month old), once a day, and showers. I wash both cars once a week, other than that our water usage is laundry.

Robert, I do not have a place to hook them both up at once, but I do have a place I can store the DD as a back up.

 

[maytagbear]

Jackson--

for what it's worth, I say go grab that Calypso--before someone else does. But, yes, keep the DD for backup.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[accapp]

Under no circumsatnces should you ever buy a Calypso, new or used, freshly repaired or not. Better to throw the money right down the drain. Whatever money you may save on water will be spent on the next reapir it needs. If you want a reliable machine to save water, get a Staber, F/L Frigidaire or a WP Duet (not the Duet Sport). Are you running the DD on the Permanent Press cycle? They use way more water than they should on PP.

 

[appnut]

Less than six month old dishasher? Hadn't heard about this. What did ya get to replace the old Kenmore UltraWash?

 

[DADoES]

The Calypso I have was bought used, $125 or $120, IIRC. No repairs or refurbishing had been done, but mechanically it's OK. The motor controller board's fuse blew the 2nd time I ran it, but I got a used board and no further trouble. It's rusted under the hood, around the frame and the clamps on the water distribution hoses .. but that isn't unusual in the local environment.

For $100 I'd go for it. As Robert says, and IMO, it's worth that price just for the fun and drama. I'd confirm with the seller what all was involved in the "repair" and request to look under the top and under the skirt to perhaps find some leverage for negotiation if there's a lot of rusting and/or smutz. One would assume it should been cleaned up if repairs/refurbishing has been done. Is there any sort of return/guarantee on the sale?

 

[jaxsunst]

The Kenmore's motor went out and American Home Shield replaced it with a GE Nautilus Electronic Control. I couldn't be happier with it. Plus, it only cost me a $55 deductible.

Home Shield also covers my washer and dryer. That is why I am considering the Calypso. On a washer, they will repair it three times, then replace it with a matching new unit. The new version of the Calypso is the Oasis, so if the Calypso doesn't work out, I am out three deductibles ($165) and I get a new machine. Who knows, there are people out there that love their Calypso's, and there are more than a few that hate them. I wouldn't even consider it if I didn't have that coverage. Also, I plan to keep the DD as addtional insurance.

I went by the shop today, the Calypso is still there, but the shop was closed. I am going to by there tomorrow and offer them $75 for it. I will probably buy it at $100 if they don't take it.

 

[andrewinorlando]

I say go for it. I've had a Calypso for 6 years, and used it to wash 12- 15 loads a week for the first 5 or so years of its life. A few months ago, I replaced the leveler and u-joint and accompanying seals (actually a very easy repair) because the rubber boot around the u-joint had started to leak. Other than that, the machine has been the model of reliability and function, does a fabulous job cleaning, and even better, will spin your clothes much drier than your DD Kenmore can, making for shortened drying times. The machine is also pretty quiet, which is nice because it's right off the kitchen. According to Whirlpool, the machine was designed around a 13 year lifespan. Of course, everyone's experiences will be different, and you really have to get used to how it works and how it needs to be loaded. But I love it, and won't trade it for anything else until it's dead. It's great with water, doesn't dumb down hot water temps, and has good wash action.