I own a laundromat. I bought it from a guy who had gotten all of the life out of the washers and dryers he could. They were all 35 years old and older. The Maytag front loaders were in a constant state of needing repair. Each repair, which was usually bearings deep in the machine was at least $500.00. Finally I gave up and ordered 8 Wascomat front loaders, (because that is what they had) and 4 of the larger commercial 50 pound washers, some new dryers and even had to buy a new change machine.
When the gumint became involved with how much water a washer could or should use, we all lost. My 4 fifty pound machine do the best job washing. I'm not thrilled with the front loading Wascomats as the rubber seal becomes discolored rather early on. I've had the new machines a little over 4 years now. Nine more payments and they are mine. The mother boards are failing now on the front loaders.
At home I have a horrible Maytag top loader. I've never heard such sounds out of a machine. When you first start it there is a "sensing" function. Bangity bang bang it goes. It seems to take forever and never seems to take the softner. These are all commercial grade coin operated and about the only thing I can do is take the coin mechanism apart and fix it, take a sock out of a pump and then call the repair man.
The 35 year old stuff seemed to work, until it broke and then you could not get parts-- too old. Despite making a living 25 cents at a time, the little laundromat is profitable and this little old lady can clean it every day.