If clothes washers have migrated the way dishwashers have in the last years, all I can say is Good Luck! Seems that everything is low water consumption now and, as you say, doesn't clean anything. Add to the mix the fact that all the phosphates have been taken out of the detergents/soaps - we are doomed.
I have a 15 year old Maytag that I'm praying doesn't give up the ghost any time soon. Friends purchased Bosch machines a few years ago and I know had issues initially with them as well.
I'd vote for a top load machine vs a front load. I think you might get higher water levels in those than the front loaders but couldn't really say for sure. Just a guess.