So......my 1978 GE model is beginning to make a funny sound on the spin cycle. Looking to buy a new machine.

As far as I can see;

Top loader Pro's. Cheaper. Larger capacity and less likely to break. Shorter wash cycle

Front loader Pro's. Use less water. Less messing about putting stain remover on grass or skid stains as they seem to come out anyway without it

I have been reading consumer reports and they say the first generation of front loaders in the USA weren't made well but the ones being sold now are much improved.

What does everyone else think? I am in favor of buying another top loader.

I love this thread.

It has barely got started, HH obviously hasn't spotted it yet.

Yep, you'll need the Miele front-loader ('the model made in Germany', not the 'made for export cr@p').

Seriously though, any of the larger, newer Samsung or LG front-loaders are great.

At least in America, we have the choice. In my flat in England, there was a place for a washing machine in the kitchen about 63 cm wide and kitchen counter height. I'd have to have taken a chainsaw to the kitchen worktop to get access to a top loader. I was forced to buy a top of the line Bosch front loader with all the bells and whistles.

Like the HH - an agitator model

I thought it was a Miele vacuum cleaner HH got his knickers in a twist over? Anyway the lowest I can see a Miele for is 2k and it's really small. I was looking for 1k and under sort of prices.

Second the Samsung suggestion.

We are using these currently. No complaints.

Shop LG 4.3-cu ft High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer (White) ENERGY STAR at Lowes.com


Shop LG 7.4-cu ft Electric Dryer (White) at Lowes.com

This is a wind up, right? I mean, I've overslept and woken up on 4/1/16 or Groundhog day or something?

Go and load your dishwasher!

My vote is for one of the new larger Whirlpool, Samsung, or LG frontloaders. If you look out for the regular monthly "whatever holiday" sale at Lowes or Home Depot you should be able to get $950-$1,000 appliances for about $800, and with a bit of luck you might be able to price-match a sale price at one retailer with a rebate or same-as-cash deal at another. A "moving house pack" from the USPS usually has 10% discounts for Lowes and/or Home Depot.

At the risk of sounding like Tonrob, you should be able to "stack" several discounts - I managed to buy about $1,900 worth of appliances for a net amount of about $1,400 based on a price-match stacked on a rebate, and used a "personal voucher" to get 18 mths same-as-cash.

FIFY

I am presuming that Yorkie's dishwasher has gunwales.

Ah, you see that's the ironic result when HH, our in-house agitator, throws his knickers into an (over the) top loader.

Agitators are equal opportunity discombobulators

They often get clothes, bedding and forum members - in a twist