Hey Tim. I tried sending an e-mail to your Yahoo account and it bounced. I didn't receive your e-mail so you must have spelt my e-mail address incorrectly. Try using "qualin (at) nospam.shaw.ca" and eliminate the nospam part.
Don't let the prices on the Speed Queen's scare you. They really are built to last and you will get your money's worth out of them.
Their top loaders are as close to a conventional top loader as you can get. Actually, I think the design behind them dates back to 1982, so they are a fairly tried, tested and true design that just works. Not to mention, they're one of the last manufacturers that still make them with a mechanical timer, so they're immune to things like power surges, etc.
I actually own a Huebsch ZFN50R, which is equivalent to a Speed Queen AFN50R I believe. I'm quite happy with it, it does a great job. (It has an electronic timer BTW)
A few things I noticed about my Huebsch as compared to other front loaders:
- The tub lifters are made from steel and integrated into the tub, as opposed to other manufacturers which use plastic screwed in lifters.
- The controls feel like they're rock solid. No wobbly cheap knobs or buttons.
- Has a really fast 40 minute cycle. (45 with extra rinse) Other front loaders wash the clothes in double or even triple the time.
- It is VERY effective. It gets our clothes much cleaner than our GE TL machine.
If there's a few things I dislike about it so far:
- We've noticed it can get quite noisy on the spin cycle.
- No ability to set the water level from the console, so washing things like comforters require another wash.
- You need a special tool if you want to remove the detergent drawer.
My Huebsch FL set me back $1900, which is in the range of Asko, Miele and very TOL machines. But let me put it to you this way..
Miele is considered to to make some of the most reliable machines ever made, their QA Team tests their machines for 10,000 cycles. This is not the norm in the industry. From what I've heard, most other domestic machines only last around 3,500 cycles.
Miele sells the "IntelliQ 200" up here which equates to the W4842 in the states, it was nearly $600 more than the Huebsch here.
Alliance Laundry Systems, (Who makes Speed Queen and Huebsch) tests their machines to 25,000 cycles! In other words, what they sell is designed to be used in a light commercial environment, so they're designed differently from a domestic machine.
Alternatively, you may also want to consider the Miele W4842 if you want more cycle flexibility. The disadvantage to Miele though is that they only have one service channel and worst case scenario is that if it does break down, you could be waiting on parts to be shipped from Europe.
Just thought I'd mention, Speed Queen Top loaders and Front Loaders have a 3.3 cu.ft tub, The Miele W4842 has a 4.0 cu.ft tub. I don't think you'd notice the difference, in all honesty.
Is your machine going to be sitting on a second floor or a wooden floor?
