Cross post this to the laundry forum. I found they give great advice over there.

As long as you're here and as long as you're looking for a top loader, I highly recommend the Fisher & Paykel. I don't use a lot of cycles or need fancy electronics, so we got the most basic washer they had that matched the most basic top-loading dryer. We have a family of 10, and also launder comforters, etc. in it. I don't think it's the largest out there in terms of capacity claims, but it does the job for us, and judges how much water to use based on the weight of the laundry, and, I think, how dirty the water is when it's running. Love, love, love it. It's the 2nd F&P set we've had. We had the other for several years in our previous home and didn't move it, because the temporary quarters we lived in while building had a set of its own (Which was a Whirlpool made Kenmore that we hated)...But we loved that previous F&P set also, and that's why we got a new set for our new house. This is the first top-load dryer, though, and I wouldn't want to go back after having it.

Darn thanks Rhome - I appreciate the post but I don't believe I have access to Fisher and Paykel where I live (Ottawa Canada) as I have never heard of it.

I checked fisherpaykel.com for Ottawa dealers and the list is linked below. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Ottawa F&P dealers