Whirlpool washer review

[deanmerc]

Greetings everyone! I'm brand new here and I would appreciate everyone's help. I hope I posted this correctly.

I'm looking for a vintage washer for my mom. We don't like the HE stuff out today, and I would love an "old-school" washing machine that fills all the way up with water, and actually cleans clothes well. Nothing high-tech.

Although I love the pastel colored washers with lights, etc, they don't seem to come up for sale locally. However, this older Whirlpool is for sale. The seller says he thinks it's from 1987, and it works perfectly. He even posted a vid on youtube of it working. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU GUYS THINK OF THIS ONE. I don't know about the belt or direct drive stuff, or if this is worth the money.

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/app/5679244677.html

I live near Ft Lauderdale, so Boca is not too far. I would love an old pastel colored Maytag, or one with the filter-flo thingy. Is there someone who sells refurbished washers and ships also? I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to own a washer mom can use soon.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Gabe in South Florida

 

[mrb627]

Looks Good.

Looks to be in pretty good condition for a S FLA machine.
I typically see them rusted out by this age.

I would grab it, quick.

Malcolm

 

[brucelucenta]

My personal opinion, you can get a lot newer machine for a lot cheaper price than that one. It might be a decent machine. If you want a new machine, get a Speed Queen. They are the only one left that operates like a traditional top loader.

 

[deanmerc]

Thanks for replying. The seller says his house was built in 1987, and the washer came with the house, so he thinks is an '87. It was used seasonally while the original owners were in Florida. Do these Whirlpools have good reputations of cleaning clothes and lasting?

I have a Speed Queen AWN542 which I bought new last year and LOVE it, and it looks like Maytag's have similar agitation to the SQ.

Check this one out: miami.craigslist.org/pbc/app/5683...

Which would you go with, or should I just wait? I love those old pastel Maytags with lights or those units with the water filter that waterfalls while agitating.

 

[brucelucenta]

If it is a low mileage model, then it is a good deal. They were pretty good machines all in all. They wash pretty well too. So I say get it if you want one.

 

[akronman]

87 Whirlpool

Buy it! Long lasting, well built, looks like it has plenty of features. And Sears and Whirlpool in that era sold TONS of machines, plenty of repair parts are easily available.

 

[DADoES]

 
It is a direct-drive machine.  Full-featured (variable water level, five temp choices, 2nd rinse option on Regular cycle).

The serial number will tell the manufacture date if you can get it from the seller.

 

[deanmerc]

What is direct drive vs. what other kind of drive? Belt drive? Which is better? I wanna learn this stuff!

I feel a little weird confessing this, but I actually watch TONS of vids on youtube of washing machines washing clothes. I actually watch my SQ as it does it's thing; making sure all my laundry is "properly" washed.

I look for roll-over and love the wash-in vids of all the vintage machines. I'm addicted!

Cheers,
Gabe

 

[washdaddy]

the Whirlpool machine you looked at is a direct drive machine commonly referred to as a DD machine. When agitating it has a shorter faster stroke. the motor is connected directly to the pump and transmission with a coupler between them. These machines are referred to alot as "shredmores" (nickname given to the DD Kenmore line). But these machines clean well. You just have to be sure not to overload them. These machines have been made for 30 years and there are some still running today. Parts for these machines when needed are readily available.

The older machines which are belt drive (a BD machine) has a belt (like the older type fan belts you see on a car) which runs between the motor, the pump, and the transmission of the machine. These machines have the longer slower strokes. These machines are over 30 years old and are cherished by those who still have them.

 

[panthera]

Good machines

These were very good machines. Like anything, wear and tear do add up, though. You should expect to replace the direct-drive coupler. This can be done for very little money by anyone at home. Given the water quality in sone parts of Florida, the inlet valves might have their screens clogged.
Unless there's a clear rust problem, if it runs well when tested, it's probably going to work very well for a long time.

 

[vacerator]

Unless

you would prefer an even older belt drive Whirlpool or Kenmore. 1985 was their final year, except in Canada. Longer, slower agitation stroke, quieter, and easier on clothing. The direct drives did achieve 50 more rpm on final spin.