I have a 14 year old Kenmore. Top load, only one repair, when a bobby pin put a hole in the pump.
When I had it repaired about 8 years ago, the repair man told me he could keep it running for years. He hated being called out for front loader machines as he had to wait for parts, sometimes weeks.
Since that one repair I have not had another.
My brother and his wife bought a top of the line Samsung pair. Top load, no agitator, lid locks, automatic water levels etc. I have used it and do not like it at all.