Just to clarify, in my thread about the worst washer in America, I voted for Calypso because of how the u-joint boot would tear and then replacing it required a puller, and also the wash plate seal at the edge would curl up and then things would go underneath. Also, lots of complaints of black marks because the wash plate would wear on the basket over time. There were pump problems too.
As for the VMW machines, let's make sure we are talking about the same thing. When I say VMW, I refer to the machine that replaced the direct drive, the one that has the motor and shifter, not the one with the rotor and stator. My Sears customers would complain that it filled with so little water that the clothing wouldn't get wet.
If I were to choose an HE machine that seemed to hold promise but left too soon, it would be the Neptune TL.