For me, top load only. I am very dedicated to Maytags. My mom had a Maytag wringer washer we grew up with until I was in the 8th grade in 1972. Then she got a set of electric Maytags. She worshipped those things. We were a family of 9 and they lasted until 2003 with very few repairs. My first Maytags lasted 16 years, and I am in the 18th year with my current Maytags. We have replaced the belt and heating element on the dryer, and the buzzer stopped working about 6 months ago. Not one repair on the washer yet. Clean, dry clothes every wash.
You are right. Nothing wrong with a wringer. Just don't let my younger sister get her arm near it...

Appliances are not made to last any more. My brother and BIL both can pretty much fix anything. They said that not only are they not made to last they are making them so you can hardly work on them yourself any more. They recommend buying the extended warranty. When we bought our TV Costco had the best, least expensive warranty. Also American Express added an extra year for free if you used it to buy the product. I'm not sure if they still do that or not.

We had to buy a new washer and I REFUSED to buy an energy efficient one because they do not use enough water. My husband gets his clothing really dirty and sometimes greasy (restores old cars) and I knew they would not get clean in the new washers. Finally found one that wasn't an energy efficient one and it does a fine job and uses regular detergent. Could not find a dishwasher that was not energy efficient and it does NOT do the job the old one did. I hate it when you have to wash dishes before you wash dishes!

I just bought a new dishwasher and they make them so they run for 2 hours!!! (lots of soak time) to be more energy efficient. I don't think they are as clean also. I'm ready to go back to doing them by hand. I have also come to the conclusion to not buy the top of the line appliances since they are all junk that you have to replace prematurely.

6-8 yrs as a lifespan for the front loaders seems right. The newest Frigidaire front loader we have lasted just about 6 til the bearing went recently. Our local appliance store sells all Frigidaire. I'm trying to decide whether or not to go with another washer from that store or shop farther. For now I'm going to the laundromat where there are nice, big, New front loaders and better water than we have here.

We bought a Crosley washing machine and dryer about 8 yrs . ago, and have not had a minutes worth of problem. I had never heard of the brand, but the clothes are always clean, it has every cycle possible on it, and uses enough water to get everything nice and clean.
The dryer does a super job also.
Good luck with your search! A local harware store had them, so suppose go online to find the name Croslley.
Mariah

Ours is a top loader. It's like beating clothes on a rock...the clothes are wet, but just tossed on the paddles. I washed a small baby quilt in it, and it couldn't handle even that much weight on the spin cycle. Had to take them down to my mother's and spin them out in her 35+ year old washer. My nephew bought a commercial Speed Queen for a duplex he rents out. They are still made in America. It's a top loader. Personally, I think all these "improvements"....aren't!!!

When I got married the first time, I got my grandmothers wringer washer and the double tub. No one wanted it. I had that washer for almost 2 years. It was probably 20-25 yrs or older when we got it. I cried really hard when it started smoking. The motor in it was done and no parts. My clothes were so clean. In the winter I used the dryer on loads that didn't go on the line. I could start my laundry in the morning when I got up and have it all done by 9:00 and put away. in the past 20 years we've been through 4 washers and on our 2nd dryer and the dryer's end is near. washer is rusted and will need to be replaced soon. I wipe it when I'm done but it sits out in the utility shed on the carport out of the weather but humidity is still there. :(

I went back to doing dishes by hand. Our water bill has gone down significantly. I put the dishes into the sink with nothing but the hottest water and let them soak while I do other things. Running a dishwasher for 2 hours never made sense to me. When I can have them actually done with in 1/2 hour and put away. I hated having to load my dishwasher a certain way and no matter how hard trying not to let the utensils nest they would anyway. I would just have to rewash so what's the point of the dw?

Oh, my.

We started out with a gray square tubbed wringer washer, and two galvanized squarish rinse tubs. Wash DAY was a production. We carried the water to the machines and tubs and carried the water away.

When I got a new White maytag wringer washer and had cement rinse tubs where I used a hose to fill the machine and just drained the water into a floor drain - WOW - what an improvement. Still dried the clothes on lines or drying racks, but life was much better.

I do have a washer and dryer now. The washer is a Maytag suds saver - circa 1990. It has been repaired a few times, but I still use it.