For 40 yrs I used an upright washer with the agitator, and had so much trouble with dirty marks left on clothes, so bought a front loading tumble washer 12 yrs ago. I am on my own now so not a lot to clean, but very bit gets washed & I Love it. No more grubby clothes and will never go back to an upright. I would think your fading problem was because of either bleach of some kind in the powder or the fabric needed more pre-washing. Some fabric I was given bled for four washes, ended up throwing it out.

It's supposed to be so that a child can't get in and drown in an unattended tub of water. Within about a minute of leaving the lid open, mine just drains...fast! I can fill mine right to the top, which I love, but as I said, you can't stop and soak unless you're crafty and unplug it. All washers will have this feature..it's something we're all going to have to deal with.
A bit OT...but when my sister and I were kids, well over 60 years ago..one of us would get in the old wringer washer and the other one would turn it on and we'd give each other rides! No water..but we agitated and spun!

I am in the same boat! I hate that Maytag front loader. Not able to soak and not able to open and grow in the sock I dropped on the way to the laundry room! My DIL bought the Maytag top loader and loves it.

If my washer dies, I will look at a Speed Queen. When I lived in NJ I had a laundry room that was large and wonderful. (3 sinks, 2 washers and dryers, ironing board, sewing machine and built in drying racks} The house was historical and an absolute joy ..just way to large after Joe passed.

When we moved into our townhome a couple of years, all appliances had been replaced with Maytag appliances. My washer is a top load with no agitator. At first I thought how is that gonna work. It calls for HE detergent and I firmly believe if that is what the washer uses, then use HE. Mine senses how much water to use by the size of the load. My hubby can have some really dirty jeans and the only extra thing I do is set an extra rinse. Seems to work for me. I have washed quilts and not having an agitator should be better for washing and have never had a problem. Not having an agitator is replaced by a drum that moves around.
Works for me. I also think fading fabric is not the fault of the washing machine but the fabric. When I wash quilts, I use the bulky cycle, warm water, little detergent, and an extra rinse. Good luck!

DH and I rarely get dirty so any washer does a good job cleaning for us. I wanted a quiet washer with no lid lock. DH had to disconnect the electrical lid lock as they all come with that now. I also wanted hand wash cycle because it washes fabric and quilts perfectly. No strings on the fabric at all. I got a GE High Profile top loader. The features change so fast on washers having one you had before is almost impossible. I always buy the the model right under the highest price one of the same brand. I got that tip from an appliance dealer and always buy appliances on sale with free delivery and carry off of old one. Even if you have to pay a little extra for carry off, it's still a bargain not to have to do it, if you know where to take it.

Just be aware that the pre-2019 Speed Queen washers are vastly better than the 2019 and newer, even with a firmware upgrade. The newer models don't clean anywhere near as well Consumer Reports article on newer Speed Queen washers

Speed Queen has low ratings in most of the best of reports when I was researching new washing machines. I honestly don't thing it makes any difference now days. Buy one that has the features you want. I was told Samsung is the worst when it comes to repairs. It can takes many weeks to get a part for any Samsung appliance and even longer when under warranty.

The detergent may be a bigger factor than the washer.

Same stupid washer design here. Low water, looooong wash cycle, very little actual washing going on. Smells sometimes. Waiting for it to die.

I made sure my washer had the quick wash cycle. I use it for all loads. I use pods and the quick wash cycle and the grandkids play clothes wash clean and they play in the creek, get muddy, and drip Popsicles all over the their clothes. May not be good for greasy work clothes but I do have the heavy duty cycle if needed.