Need new Front Load Washer, Your Opinion ?

[HTSS_TR]

My 12 years old Frigidaire Gallery front load washer is dying, it makes very loud noise during spin cycle and according to my search "the shaft support spider arms had broken away from the stainless steel inner tub". The stainless steel inner tub and the support spider arms as an unit cost more than $200 + shipping about $50 because it is heavy and bulky. It cost too much to fix an old washer, so that I'm looking to buy a new one.

I'm interest in a not too expensive front load washer with capacity of 3.5-4.0 Cu. Ft.

What I find so far:

Whirlpool 4.0 Cu. Ft. model# WFW9150WW at Lowe's for $628
Whirlpool 3.7 Cu. Ft. model# WFW8400TW at Howards Appliances (A So Cal store) for $539

Any experiences with either model above, or with Whirlpool front load washers in general ? Or if you have good experiences with other brands that do not cost too much I would like to hear from you too.

TIA

 

[wickerham]

That one from Lowe's is either SOS or your Lowe's stock different items than mine. I drive the delivery truck for Lowe's and install these things everyday. They're HEAVY! Anyway, the duet is an awesome washer. Rarely do we have to go and pick these back up. I'm not familiar with that one by the WFW9500 is sick!
Best thing about Lowe's is we will come get it (if we deliver it-other wise you bring it back) and replace it for up to 30 days. But, complain enough and even a year later we'll come replace it. I've taken back 2.5 year old appliances from customers and replaced them with brand new for free.

 

[JustinC25]

Stay away from Whirlpool for front loaders (They're top loaders are the best though). The Duet Sport have a history of control boards going bad. Check Eopinions.com.
I went with the Samsung WF337 washer, and matching dryer from LOWES. Had them for a year and a half, and I can't be happier.
They are the ONLY brand of washer on the market that is self-balancing (Samsung calls it VRT). The have two rings of stainless steel ball bearings, 1 in the front and the other in the rear of the drum.
As the drum spins the bearings self balance the drum. It is WHISPER QUIET, and has ZERO vibration @ 1300 RPM. Can't say the same for my friends Kenmore (Made by Whirlpool)
Clothes come out almost dry. I also LOVE the SILVERCARE feature.
It sanitizes the clothes in cold water. So you don't have to use bleach, and you can sanitize colored fabrics without using hot water that can damage your clothes. Silvercare is also only in Samsung machines. Check them out on Lowes.com
Also if you go to the post office and pickup a address change kit, it will have a 10% off coupon for Lowes up to $2,000.
They usually keep them on the counter with all the forms.

Let us know what you decide,
Justin

 

[AcuraTech]

Just read in the paper yesterday that Electrolux Corp (owns a number of brands including Maytag, Frigidaire, etc) is closing another washing machine plant in Iowa and moving it to Mexico. Sad state of affairs when our country is on the road to manufacturing absolutely NOTHING!

Sorry for the threadjack. Washers and dryers are one of the last remaining products to be "Made in USA", but even those are almost gone. Please consider something made in the US when purchasing.

 

[wickerham]

No. Whirlpool owns Maytag not Electrolux. Samsungs are fine machines as well. But I'm telling you from 3.5 years expierence with washers and dryers, you're not getting a better machine than a Whirlpool. Check number of repairs on any consumer website to see they have been in the top 3 for YEARS.

Back to Acura: Whirlpool is Maytag, Amana, Kenmore, Roper, etc...
Fridiaire and Electrolux are same.

.......and has ZERO vibration @ 1300 RPM......lol, you oughtta watch knock stuff off the walls as they reach that speed BEFORE the VRT kicks in! I've brought back 3 from one guy who swore they were broke ( he had them set onsolid concrete floor BTW...no chance of shaking due to weak floor) and our repair company checked them out and okayed them for resell. "They just shake like that" quote from Lowe's RTM and After Hours Repair Company.

.......Silvercare is also only in Samsung machines
many other washers have this "sanitize" feature, dont be fooled by a fancy name.

 

[JustinC25]

Originally Posted By: wickerham
No. Whirlpool owns Maytag not Electrolux. Samsungs are fine machines as well. But I'm telling you from 3.5 years expierence with washers and dryers, you're not getting a better machine than a Whirlpool. Check number of repairs on any consumer website to see they have been in the top 3 for YEARS.

Back to Acura: Whirlpool is Maytag, Amana, Kenmore, Roper, etc...
Fridiaire and Electrolux are same.

.......and has ZERO vibration @ 1300 RPM......lol, you oughtta watch knock stuff off the walls as they reach that speed BEFORE the VRT kicks in! I've brought back 3 from one guy who swore they were broke ( he had them set onsolid concrete floor BTW...no chance of shaking due to weak floor) and our repair company checked them out and okayed them for resell. "They just shake like that" quote from Lowe's RTM and After Hours Repair Company.

.......Silvercare is also only in Samsung machines
many other washers have this "sanitize" feature, dont be fooled by a fancy name.



I never said that they were the only ones that sanitize. I said they were the only ones with silvercare. Silvercare uses silver ions to sanitize. Other machines use an internal water heater. Completely different technologies. Yes my machine also has the internal heater. But it has it's own deticated setting. My machine doesn't shake, I've had it for a year and a half. It isn't new to me. I've watched it spin up many times, and it just doesn't shake.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Lowe's in So Cal stock different items than other locations, when I tried to look at Appliances online it asks for my zip codes.

My local Lowe's does not carry Samsung WF337, but it stocks WF209ANW, WF218ANB, WF328AAW and WF448AAP. The lowest price is WF209ANW at $698 and highest price WF448AAP at $1268.

I will go to post office tomorrow to pick up address change kit and hopefully it has a 10% off Lowe's coupon in the package.

The other brand is LG, Home Depot has model WM2010CW with capacity of 3.5 cu. ft. at $539 after 10% discount until Nov 01.

I would buy "Made in USA" appliances if I can find it at reasonable price, 10-20% more than same appliance made somewhere else with similar features is reasonable to me, but if I have to pay more than 50% or more then I may not be able to.

Which should I buy, foreign names such as Samsung or LG but made in America or American names such as Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire ... but made somewhere else ?

 

[JustinC25]

The WF328 is the newer model, as they don't make the WF337 anymore (last years model). I would avoid Home Depot. Every time I try to order an appliance from them, the wait is atleast 2 weeks.
When I was looking for a washer, they said 6 weeks for the LG I wanted. I went to Lowes at 9 pm at night bought my Samsung, and was Washing clothes by lunch time the next day. I believe they keep a lot of inventory in the store, where as Home Depot keeps it in a warehouse somewhere. I would go for the Samsung, but that's me. Do some research, I haven't seen a bad review yet for my machine. Check Eopinions.com, as well as Lowes.com, and Sears.com
Read the reviews for the Whirlpools, Samsung, and LG. Then decide.
I spent 2 months researching mine. It seemed to be the best value, and quality.

 

[Trav]

My tenants were driving me crazy breaking the washers and dryers.
I broke down and bought Speed Queen,all steel gears,SS drum,direct drive.
No vibration at all,only thing is they are top loaders.
My wife liked them so much we bought one for our home also.
$600 well spent.
Extra $100 for the coin box,the ones in the buildings have already paid for themselves.

 

[Greggy_D]

Personally I'd stay away from the front loaders. We had a 7 year old GE front loader that died because the main basin cracked. Over $500 to fix....so we went with a new top load Cabrio.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=300177-46-WTW6200VW&lpage=none

Got it for $500 out the door from Lowes. Bought it at 2pm on a Friday and it was installed the next day at 4pm. Awesome service. The delivery guys rocked and were extremely friendly.

My wife also likes the larger capacity (4.5 cu ft) compared to the front loaders.

 

[JustinC25]

Some frontloaders are problematic. I have a stainless steel drum in mine so it is less likely to crack. GE's have a somewhat colored history on the review sites.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JustinC25

I went with the Samsung WF337 washer, and matching dryer from LOWES. Had them for a year and a half, and I can't be happier.

We've had our WF448 washer/dryer (gas) combo since March. So far, they've been great, too. Got them from Sears. Sears wasn't the cheapest, but they price-matched Fry's which had them for about $1050 a piece at that time.

 

[JustinC25]

That's 2 votes for Samsung.

 

[opus1]

No definite opinion on the washers other than to repeat that Whirlpool owns Maytag now (I owned stock in Maytag that now says "Whirlpool" so I'm positive on this).

As much as it pains me (because my loyalties lie with another big-box store) but I have to give kudos to Lowe's for its delivery service. When the time comes to replace my appliances (the dishwasher is already in need of replacement) I will, begrudgingly, probably go to Lowe's.

 

[Greggy_D]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

We've had our WF448 washer/dryer (gas) combo since March. So far, they've been great, too. Got them from Sears. Sears wasn't the cheapest, but they price-matched Fry's which had them for about $1050 a piece at that time.


$1050 for a freaking dryer? Holy cow that is expensive.

Personally I think the entire "matching combo set" concept is a scam.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Greggy_D
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

We've had our WF448 washer/dryer (gas) combo since March. So far, they've been great, too. Got them from Sears. Sears wasn't the cheapest, but they price-matched Fry's which had them for about $1050 a piece at that time.


$1050 for a freaking dryer? Holy cow that is expensive.

Personally I think the entire "matching combo set" concept is a scam.
I couldn't imagine drying my clothes is a non matched dryer!!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Went to Post Office to pick up address change kit and it has a 10% off Lowe's coupon in the package. Then went to Home Depot to get the 10% off all appliances over $399 flyer valid until Nov 01, came in to talk to sale person at appliance dept and showed him the 10% discount coupon from Lowe's, they don't accept it. If they do I would buy LG 3.5 cu. ft. for about $480-490.

Since Lowe's have better customer services, I would buy my washer from them. I'll go there tonight and show them the Home Depot 10% off all appliances over $399 flyer, it will be great if they accept it.

I found that Lowe's had Samsung WF209ANW on sale 2 weeks ago for $558, 20% off from regular price of $698. I missed that sale !!!

 

[JD Green]

Do your homework, you may end up with a pair os LGs. Direct drive, rubber coated circuit boards, stainless steel drums and 7-10 year warranties. 8 months and so far they are both excellent.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR


I found that Lowe's had Samsung WF209ANW on sale 2 weeks ago for $558, 20% off from regular price of $698. I missed that sale !!!


I have a Samsung front loader. Be careful there. Parts availability is an issue. They are pricey and they ALWAYS have to be ordered.

 

[D.K.]

We have a whirlpool wfw9600 duet steam. My wife loves the machine, it is quiet, the clothes come out almost dry, and you can absolutely cram it full of clothes.

oh yea are water bill went down as an added bonus. These machines use very little water compared to the old style top loader