Whirlpool or Maytag Washer?

[ctinct]

I'm ready to shop for a new energy star washer. I have pretty much ruled out GE due to bad reviews. I just need a basic washer as it is only two of us and it will be just me in another few years. Can't decide if I should go with Maytag or Whirlpool; I have read good and bad reviews about both. Does anyone know who makes Kenmore appliances? The reason I ask is I have a dryer that is only a few years old and it's already acting up, and I had a Kenmore refrigerator that I got rid of after only two years----the repairs and lost food cost me more than the original new cost of the darn thing! I've pretty much decided Kenmore is crap.

Of course, sometimes I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall doing all this research. I am very middle aged and just bought my first new car on my own last year. Did tons of research and bought a....Corolla. Ha! I still like it; it's just that I wonder sometimes if any amount of research is going to help. It's kind of a crap shoot, kwim?

 

[Mic]

I hate Maytag! We went through THREE Maytag Performas in 10 years! Every time I tried to purchase something else, my husband insisted we buy the matching washer to coordinate with the dryer. On the third(and last) Maytag, I agreed to the Maytag, but purchased an extended 5-year service plan. Then, 3 years later, the dryer went out...so I had to purchase a new Maytag Performa dryer. Luckily, we were happy with the dryers. When the 6 years of serice were up on the washer in March, 2009, I started researching my replacements. On Black Friday, I purchased a front-loading set by LG. So far, I love the washer and dryer. My parents had a whirlpool washer for 20+ years, and I had planned to buy that brand of front-loader, but the LG was a better deal and had better reviews. I say go with the whirlpool.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I have a 12 yr old Kenmore heavy duty set. I just had my first repair on the dryer today ever. The rollers were going out....the repair guy said that Kenmore and Whirlpool are great quality, especially the older machines. they were just made better.

I have been very happy with our Kenmore and would buy again in an instant.

 

[bmr12]

Do know that Maytag was bought out by Whirlpool several years ago and is no longer independent. I do not know whether the equipment sold under the Maytag name is, in fact, significantly different than that sold under the Whirlpool name (or any of the other brands Whirlpool sells).

 

[apnep]

I hate Maytag! ...I say go with the whirlpool.

Ha. That is funny cuz Maytag is made by Whirlpool. Remember when Maytag was a good brand?

We just got a Whirlpool dishwasher about 6 months ago. It is super quiet. Our decision was between a Whirlpool and a Kenmore. I think Kenmore is a great brand and value for the price. Why'd we go with the Whirlpool? It was slightly less expensive than the Kenmore and had the features we needed.

But really, nothing is made to last anymore. We have been in our home for 11 years now and everything was original to the house (30 years old). We bought a Jenn-air fridge that is conking out on us and the stupid double oven that is 30 years old that I have been waiting and waiting to break down still works like a charm. Meanwhile, I think I will be shopping for a new fridge in the near future...they just don't make things like they used to.

Ang

 

[E-Stop]

Go with a Roper. We had them in Army basic training. we abused the hell out of them and they always worked. Mud, sand, blood, oil, grease. You name it, they came out clean and ready for inspection.

 

[cvjw]

Don't buy a Maytag!! We have vowed as a family to never own another Maytag appliance as long as we live! They just don't hold up like they used to.

 

[2manypets]

I'm also a Maytag hater. DH fixed ours on a monthly basis. Each time I pray that a part that can't be replace will break and the stupid dryer is only about 4 - 5 years old. Our Maytag fridge is the same way. Just very poorly made across the board.

 

[gigi1313]

one word: SAMSUNG!

 

[lauraljp]

We just bought a Whirlpool last week. Our 10 year old Maytag Nepture was going to be more to fix than we wanted to spend. Fortunately we have not had any problem before this but this model is problem prone for lots of people. I did ask the repairman what was a good brand to get. He recommended Whirlpool. He said a middle of the road top loader would be around $400 and they are relatively easy to fix.

I really couldn't find a lot of good reviews on any washing machine I was looking at. I liked GE too, it looked and sounded great but had the worst reviews. It came down to a Maytag and a Whirlpool (toploaders) and we went with the Whirlpool. It is not as nice as the Maytag was, but it did not cost as much. If something is going to go wrong and fall apart, I would rather have spent $500 than $1000. We did buy the extended warranty.

 

[aaronlisar]

one word: SAMSUNG!

I second this. I bought mine last Oct and LOVE them.

 

[Mono~rail]

We use Consumer Reports ratings when making a large purchase.

Our LG washer was a Consumer Reports "best buy rating" when we bought it back in '05. We have had no problems and are totally happy with it. For us, their information is invaluable.

 

[lisaross]

i also usually go w/consumers reports - i bought a Whirlpool washer and dryer when i moved into my house about 13 years ago - i had to replace my washer 2 years ago and my dryer is stil running strong (knock on wood) i did replace my washing machine w/ a Fisher Paykel as it was highly recommended!

lisa

We use Consumer Reports ratings when making a large purchase.

Our LG washer was a Consumer Reports "best buy rating" when we bought it back in '05. We have had no problems and are totally happy with it. For us, their information is invaluable.

 

[mamaLori05]

Another kenmore hater here. Our last appliances were mostly Kenmore and we had a lot of problems with the washer. I thought I heard Kenmore makes the Whirlpool appliances too, or they are made in the same factory or something like that. I'd check into it since I'm not totally sure. Anyway, we have Maytag almost everything and LOVE them. Maytag microwave, Maytag dishwasher, Maytag front load washer and dryer. We did a lot of research before buying and went with the ones that had the highest reviews.

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm sad to hear that about Maytag. DH and I have a Maytag w&d that we got from his aunt when she passed away. It's got to be at least 20 years old and both still work like a charm. I've sworn for years that if I had to replace them I'd go with Maytag again regardless of the cost. Doesn't sound like I need to, though. Bummer!

 

[pygmymom]

Today they delivered my new Whirlpool washer and dryer. My previous set, also Whirlpool, was over 21 years old, and the washer was still going. Get the Whirlpool.

 

[Kathy C]

I have a Maytag Performa washer and dryer. Both are ten years old and we haven't had a problem with either one.

And, I thought Whirlpool made Kenmore.

 

[shamrock30]

Whirlpool definitely makes some Kenmore appliances, and as other have said, Whirlpool owns Maytag now.

I don't think some of the people who have really old appliances understand that their longevity has nothing to do with what you'll get if you buy the same brand today. Our house is 9 years old, and all of our appliances except the stove have had problems or been replaced already. I did my research ahead of time, but in the end, most of them still turned out to be clunkers. Nothing is built to last anymore.

 

[ctinct]

OP here. Well, I went out shopping today. I am down to a choice between one particular Maytag model and one particular Whirlpool model. I still need to get to the library to check Consumer Reports, but online reviews are mixed for both models. The chief compaint about the Maytag seems to be that it is noisy. My laundry is in the basement, so that's not really a concern. Both models are basic Energy Star appliances. I did not want electronic controls because the basement can get a little cold in the winter and I don't know how the electronic controls would fare, plus I can see it being more expensive to repair than manual controls. I was leaning toward the Maytag because it touts its "commercial grade" innards, which I thought would be sturdier, but most opinions here seem to be against Maytag.

I agree that appliances no longer last like they used to. My current washer is a Whirlpool and it's probably thirty years old---got it when my oldest was in diapers. It's done a LOT of laundry (5 of us at one time) with only two repairs. Still looks like new. The agitator is a little tired though.

I think I will go with whichever one Consumer Reports rates higher. I know Samsung, LG, and Bosch are good, but they are pricier, and for just my teenager and me, I don't think I need to go that high end, especially since stuff doesn't last like it used to. If I thought I could get 20 years out of them, I might be willing to spend the money, but even they seem to have shorter lives now. Anyhow, thanks for the opinions. They helped.

 

[mousecruzer]

I have the first generation Maytag frontloader washer and dryer. No problems so far, my sister-in-law bought the same a few years later and has had nothing but problems. The company is not made in the USA anymore. I have a Maytag french door H20 frig which I relied on Consumer Reports (ironically it was rated the worst 1 year later after purchasing by them!) and have had problems with the icemaker. I bought a dishwasher from Kenmore and 1 year later it crapped out! Cost more to fix than replace. I agree with the previous comment that things just aren't built to last anymore.
Please no slamming, but Consumer Reports hasn't worked for me. I rely on eopinions.com and other websites which a simple google search can generate for you.
I recently purchased a new double oven (convection) and honestly I went by the price and the features that the brand could offer me and some reviews online. I chose the Kenmore Elite brand. First time I have considered a Kenmore in over 10 years. I also saw a clip on the Today Show this past year that give a dollar amount of when to fix and when to repair appliances. It was very informative. I would have never thought about just buying new and not repairing, but things just aren't meant to last like the ones my parents bought when I grew up!

Good luck!