Last New Year's Day my washer and dryer broke at the same time. I got a new set and decided against the front loaders. Everyone that I know that has the front loaders, the washer stinks to high heaven after a year. The salesman said I'd have to do special things to keep the door seal from leaking, mildew from building up etc. I will not pamper an appliance. I want to turn it on and be done with it. If it breaks after a few years I don't want to wail about how much I paid for it but think well I got my money's worth. I use the soak cycle too much to not have a top loader. I soak my fabric and drain without agitation, great for small cuts of fabric.