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frocco

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Joined
Sep 15, 2013
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Location
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Hello,

I am looking at the Maytag 7000 series, but am having second thoughts and am looking at Speed Queen Front Loader or Top Loader.

I cannot find any info on how the SQ FL cleans vs SQ TL.

I like the bells and whistles of the Maytag, but am afraid of their quality.
 
Here's why I think the Maytag is a good choice:  It has an internal water heater so you can have truly hot water when you want it (via Allergen, Sanitize, and Steam cycles).  It is currently the top-rated machine in Consumer Reports' tests.  Reliability has been good.  You'll have far more cycle flexibility with the Maytag. It also has a much larger drum, so you'll be able to wash large comforters, etc.  

 

Is the Maytag built like a Speed Queen?  No. But there are many factors to consider besides a machine being built like a tank. Both brands are built in the USA.

 

 
 
SQ FLer or SQ TLer or a MT-WP FL Washer?

As Eugene suggests the MT-WP might be a great choice, it depends on many different factors, how much you use the machine, how long do you want it to last, whether you would like more bells and whistles or just a rugged work horse.

 

The SQ FL washer is diffidently the most durable choice if you want this to be the last washer you buy for 30+ years. The SQ TL will probably last 15-30 but will be unrepairable when something happens to the transmission or main bearings and cost you another $1,500+ in utility costs or more over the next 15 years, so the SQ TLer will be the most expensive washer to buy over a reasonable life span. And the WP-MT FL washer could last anywhere from 10-20+ years unless something happens to the electronics or the main bearings in which case you buy another washer.
 
BUY ONCE, BUY RIGHT.....................

SPEED QUEEN WASHERS WHETHER T/L OR F/L ARE GONING TO LAST A LONG TIME!
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS STARTING TO CATCH ON ABOUT THE QUALITY OF SPEED QUEEN WASHERS!!
DON'T BE FOOLED BY PRETTY BELLS AND WHISTLES!!
MIKE
Sorry about caps, my keyboard is messed up!
 
I only can sugest to get a FL. I once washed with a TL, made by SQ, a commercial one, and they washed/rinsed horrible. Against any FL of course.
Whether the SQ or Maytag, you have to decide. On the SQ you can adjust the waterlevel, on a Maytag I don't know. Maytag gives you more options, SQ is just set'n'go. On the Maytag you probably will have dumped down temperatures, more then on the SQ. The Maytag has a heater, the SQ not.
But any way, a FL usese way less water by giving you good results compared to TL. And if you always select the extra rinse/ fabric softener option, may using perm press when ever possible, not overfilling the tub, it will work good.
 
When I bought my Maytag 5000 Series four years ago, I too considered SQ. I was attracted to the pretty lights on the Maytag.

My informed decision was that Maytag/Whirlpool has a heater (Steam). It was slightly larger, and was about 1/2 the price.

The SQ I was originally informed (incorrectly) that it did not adjust water levels to loads.

I would say chose the one you are most comfortable with. I would go FL myself, but again that would be your preference. SQ used to have, as was noted, a very poor rating for water extraction, sand disposal, and even washing performance. This was many years ago, and now Speed Queen's longevity has placed them at the top of the list for top loaders.
 
Thanks everyone, I am leaning towards the Maytag 7000 series. My niece has an LG FL and she hates it, says the cloths never come out clean and she has to wash it twice.

If I get the Maytag, I can get an extended warranty for an additional 4 years for around 200.00
 
Speed Queen Canada

The story I heard was that after the demise of the solid tub Queens, Whirlpool Canada bought the Speed Queen name here. I remember seeing a few DD Whirlpool washers with the Speed Queen name on them (much to my horror). Whirlpool won't allow the name to be used thus SQ needed to market their machines under a different name in Canada.
If anyone can add more information or correct this, please do.
 
This is all opinion but that is what you are seeking right?

I'd rather have a mechanically solid basic machine compared to a machine that is less robust with lots of gimmick features you won't use. In the end the cost will likely be the same, perhaps more for the Maytag if you buy the extended warranty.

As for the FL vs the TL, I'd only consider the frontloader. Its a mechanically simpler machine that has a higher capacity then the TL machine. You will need to learn how to use a FL machine as they are different but you will get great results if you are willing to adapt. You will save water and energy and create less wear and tear on your clothing to boot.
 
Thanks for your reply.
So SQ is better even through it does not have any of the newer features of Maytag like sanitize, Fresh Hold for 12 hours, steam, water heat?

I am looking at about a $200.00 US increase for extended warranty.
 
With the exception of the boost heater I'd call all the Maytag "features" you listed gimmicks. I do wish the SQ had a heater, but I think the majority of people will get by without a heater just fine.

As for the extended warranty I'd NEVER buy one on anything I ever buy. If the item was so unreliable that I "need" the added warranty I won't buy the product period! If you were likely to get your money's worth out of the warranty, then the company selling it couldn't stay in business, its either a good deal for you or them, not both. Aside from peace-of-mind extended warranties are like the lottery, an added tax for people who are bad at math.
 
That makes sense.

My emotions are playing tricks on me, but I think your right about the features that probably will never get used. I do like the 3 year warranty on the SQ and this is going to be the deciding issue.

On the SQ TL, I was worrying about using 30+ gallons of water, so I may do the FL.
 
Speed Queen FL

I have the Speed Queen FL and initially I was concerned about the lack of a heater. But honestly, I don't find the lack of a heater to impact the final results at all. I will say that the Speed Queen FL is built to handle abuse and it does that exceptionally well.

Malcolm
 
FL vs TL Washer

I to would get the SQ FL machine, in the long run it will not only last longer but will be easier to repair if you want to really see if it will last 25,000 loads as SQs engineers say it can [ that works out 48 years at 10 loads per week ].

 

 I have said many times that I would never buy a service contract and any appliance and even if they were FREE all they really guarantee you is crappy inferior service. About the only good thing about a SC is after they waste enough of your time and energy trying to actually get something fixed under contract, they will [ sometimes replace the appliance ] usually after a lot of fighting. A decent servicer would have just fixed the problem properly on the first call and you could have saved making several appointments and the cost of taking the time from work or other things would have rather been doing.

 

My brother Jeff and I got our SQ FL washers about eight years ago and love them, recently two other brothers got SQ FL washers, so 4 out of five of us now have SQ FL washers, I guess I will have to work on my older brother, LOL.
 
I thought it was the reverse, that FL washed better?
I have made up my mind on the SQ, just trying to decide on the TL or FL model.
TL would be the 542.
 
It depends from person to person...you may find lots of people that switch as soon as they can from a front loader because they says it does not wash as good as a toploader., the same way you may find people that are satisfied with them.
"I thought they washed better"..... I don't know who told you this..but often this thought  is because of a tricky suggestion given by the tricky name (High efficiency) and advertisements for such machines:
You must keep in mind that despite the High efficiency name (in the USA) was given also because of this...to "trick" and make people think at something better performing along with baloney told in advertisements, this does not mean it necessarily must be   and so is in the reality though,  efficiency  want only means efficiency in consumption, that  very often equals in poor wash since there is a race to use less water possible, thus not getting good results because of this also...
Front loaders and top loaders...well  it changes also from model to model, for example I could say that maybe a front loader may wash better than a newer GE top loader, but it will not  wash better compared to a Speed Queen or older Ge filter-flo or Whirlpool belt drive..for example..
It also much changes from models and brands of the same kind...you can only go with a general speech...
On the Speed Queen facebook page they also recently brought up a kind of "survey" asking if people had front loader or top loaders, speaking in results the  most people commented that they won't own a front loader as they won't wash as good as top loaders, and so do many other people elsewhere...
The same way you can also find people that are happy with front loaders in other surveys , as you could find many in this community also...
For us, as washer appasionate the TL vs FL matter has always brought heated discussion on here  from people of the two school of thoughts... so is never nice to discuss...
You must take my suggestion as a singular one as you have to do with each one of the others you'll receive...
As I was saying you may recive very different suggestion from different people...
Then it will be anyway up to you...

I say, and again, this want to be shared now as a  my opinion,  generally,  and  that's because of their  tumbling washing  action,  I don't think that front loader washing will ever be as good as a wash of a top loader agitator, and that's what I could personally  find out and experience...then as I was saying it depend from type to type....
So I suggest you to seek for someone that already owns one and if possible look at the washing ability if it satisfy your canons in person...
This will better than any opinion and suggestion by a stranger...including me of course...unfortunately when it comes in such an argument like front loader vs Top loader you'll always find many conflicting opinions, experiences and thoughts...

[this post was last edited: 9/24/2013-14:41]
 
My niece has an LG FL and hates it, says cloths do not come out clean.
My other niece has a Maytag HE TL and loves it.

I started looking at the Maytag 7000 series and can get Washer/Dryer pair for around
2100.00 US dollars + 200.00 US dollars for extended warranty.

I was looking at these because of the steam and fresh hold feature.
But a SQ TL & dryer would be around 1500.00.

The SQ FL & dryer would be around 2200.00 also.

So it would cost me around 700.00 to go FL over TL

Your right, I can google opinions on TL and FL and get good/bad reviews on both.
 
Well, again, you have to adapt to your FL if you get one. Like, throwing in clothes wont work. You will have to unfold them, and place them seperatly in the drum. And you will probably need a extra rinse.
BUT math it up again: Your front load will use roud about 18 gallons with a extra rinse. Your TL uses 32 gallons of water without a extra rinse. These 14 gsllons are enough to wash a smaller load with the FL again. So your water coasts will be, lets say, 1 and 3 quarts more on the TL. So even if you have to re wash 1 of 3 loads again, you would just pay the same on water. And as you see water bills have built the fastest elevator them selves, the FL will just be more safe in the future.
And FL are only as bad as the users are, the same on TL. But then againt, TL use more, way more water.
 
First off I'd suggest you move along past the top loading HE machines, I think they are likely a poor choice especially if you are washing a full load.

Secondly remember you don't need to have a matched pair, unless its something that you (or your wife/significant other) desires. There are many new or vintage dryers out there that cost a lot less then the matching unit and are every bit as good or better.

As you found the SQ top load pair is the least expensive at the initial purchase. If you factor in the cost of water and energy coupled with the added mechanical complexity leading to higher repair costs, you may find that in 10 years the TL will cost well more then the FL.

There have been many religious-like arguments of the FL vs TL over the years. Both have proponents and opponents. I am likely to agree that a conventional TL machine may provide more vigorous washing action then a FL machine. But a downside of that action is that they do tend to be harder on clothing, that could change cost calculations too. Personally I think many (not all) of the the people that say they hate front loaders just never really learned how to use them correctly.

You did state that you are concerned with water usage, and I personally applaud you for that. I try to make my decisions based on whatever allows me to use the least resources I can whenever possible. I don't want inadequate cleaning or rinsing anymore then anyone else does, but I do want to do the best I can with the least waste. In the current laundry world the front loaders are unmatched in that regard.
 

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