I'm not in the market for one at the moment (from my lips to God's ears, please) but I'd vote for a top loading machine. I agree with hopetoquilt...everything I've heard thus far implies that the front loaders are much more labor intensive. And if less water in my clothes washer is anything like what we've endured with our (relatively - @ 5yr) dishwasher, please save me! It's bad enough that the detergents have been changed so that they don't work as well anymore, but add to that less water; longer run times (can someone please explain how a longer run cycle uses LESS water?); etc., I'll go with the old standby...top load. With as many cycles/water heat combos as I can get.