It's a crap shoot. But get an FL. Among the FL's, get the Whirlpool Duet. Get one with a built-in heater.

Pay attention to service availability in your particular area. LG and Bosch, for example, are winning a lot of fans for their machines. However, their service areas are pretty spotty compared with some others and their parts supply/distribution systems have caused many complaints. May be important for you in your location to consider such things.

Thanks! What's the best way to check on the parts supply situation. If I call a dealer, of course he's going to tell me there's no problem. I appreciate your insights.

Best situation would be knowing somebody in the biz locally. Short of that, I don't know what to suggest.

I've had Duet 9400 for 27 trouble-free months so that's where my bias comes from. Second-tier choices were LG and Bosch but where I live Whirlpools are very common and Whirlpool techs are ubiquitous so that was part of my consderation. The idea, of course, is to get a properly-installed machine that doesn't break. In fact, the vast majority of them are like that. Even those that seem to get the most complaints still have a vast majority of owners that are satisfied with theirs so the "odds" are in your favor regardless. Would be best to get feel for service situation in your area if you are able. I know that's somewhat difficult and somewhat nebulous.

Also make sure you consider where the machine will be. If on concrete (such as a slab foundation or basement) a FLer may be a great choice. If on the second floor or first floor above a basement, a TLer may be a better choice. You can try to figure out how stiff your floor is, but I don't know how. I had a friend who is in construction check my floor before buying a FLer. He said my floor was great and it should be fine since it would be next to a load bearing wall and over the main beam of the house. NOT! My floor was too flexible and I had to exchange for a TLer.

Also consider how much time you are willing to spend learning to use the new machine, some are more complicated than others. FLers seem a bit more difficult because they seem to be very touchy about the amount of detergent used. HE TLers seem less touchy.

That said, I have to agree that it really is a crap shoot. I have a Cabrio with no agitator and I love it. I got it in March and have had no problems so far. It was very easy to learn to use, uses less detergent than my old machine, and the cycles are not much longer than my old machine. It cleans really well, my towels have never been so fluffy (not even in the FLer I briefly owned). But some people have had problems with them. Other people have had problems with other machines too. So I would say get whatever you think will work best for you, but get it someplace that will stand behind the sale. And get that in writing if possible. Lowes exchanged my machine twice, 2 FLers then the Cabrio I have now. They lost about $500.00 in the exchange but never gave me any hassle at all. And if you get a HE machine, go for the extended warranty at a store you can trust. The HE machines are touchier, they have a lot of parts that can break, are all computerised, and can not doubt be expensive to repair. I got the extended warranty for $89.00 for 5 years which seemed fair for a $1,000.00 machine. But, I got the machine for $800.00 with 10% off at Lowes, you can check their website for the new homeowners discount coupon. They don't seem to mind you using it if you have never used it before, especially if it swings the purchase in their favor over another store. You could probably talk most stores down by that 10% if you try.

Good luck with the washer.

By the way, you said you need a new car. We have bought 2 new Honda CR-Vs in the past 2 Years. My husband handed the 2005 down to our son after he got his licence and got himself a 2007. The ride is not as smooth as something like a Lexus or Mercedes, but it costs a lot less and drives really well. I believe it is built on an Accord base. They get about 20 MPG city. We rarely drive highway, but the one time we did we got over 35 MPG. I think that is pretty good for a small SUV. And you do not have to change the oil as often as most cars. My husband just takes it in every 6 months since he never hits the mileage he is suppose to before the 6 months are up.

FWIW.....this Duet is the first HE/FL I've ever had. The controls were different from the old-style TL's with which I was familiar so there was a learning/familiarity curve. I read the manual and did what it said even when it seemed a little strange to me. For it's part, the machine has held up its end of the bargain, too. It is by far the best performing washer I've ever had experience with....and that would be more than four decades worth of my own machines and those of others.

Too early for me to talk about reliability.....that's the "crap shoot" part. All I can say is so far its been more-or-less flawless.

Thanks to all. I think I'm leaning heavily toward a Duet set with extended warrany. I've had a FL Maytag Neptune, so I'm familiar with using HE detergent and all that. I would assmue that the vibration issues wouldn't be any different for a new machine than for my old one. I could be wrong....
About car, I did drive a Honda CRV, an Odyssey, a Toyota Sienna and Rav4. Now even thinking about a Prius. More confused than ever. The vans are a good vehicle if you don't have access to a truck...I've had vans for 23 years....love them! But do I NEED one? Kids are grown with their own cars now. Oops...sorry this is a laudry forum. I'll check Lowe's website for a coupon...we have a Lowe's here in town..as well as a Best Buy and Sears(I have a bias against them) and some smaller locally owned appliance stores.

Regardless of what you buy or where you buy it (bought mine from Best Buy) strongly encourage you to discuss qualilty of delivery/set-up as part of the deal. Careless delivery/installation is one of the most frequent complaints on every forum and has been for years. Some installers are really fine -- mine were. Many others are incredibly careless and anxious to move along. Your expectation should be demonstrated trouble-free operation at your location. That means, installed, levelled, balanced, and tested. I would be very clear about it.

Good points! I'll make sure the installers are thorough.
I didn't find a coupon on the Lowe's site. BUT I did find a $100 rebate for Whirlpool Duets that looks to be a Whirlpool rebate...not a Lowe's one. I don't see a similar rebate on the Best Buy site but if Best Buy is an authorized Whirlpool dealer, I should be able to get the rebate, and the Best Buy gift card. Why not?

kathylquiltz, the 100 dollar rebate is from Whirlpool and your sales receipt must be dated for June 2 or before. I too am planning to purchase the Duet set and don't want to miss the 100 dollar rebate. Go to whirlpool.com and print the rebate form(more green in your jeans event). I am going to be a new FL uses myself and this website has been so much help in my decison. THANKS EVERYONE (I posted earlier asking questions,and everyone was great.)

You can find the coupon for Lowes if you click on the link below. I think you'd get a great deal on the Duet if you use this coupon plus the $100 rebate.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: 10% off at Lowes

Thanks for the link! I didn't find it when I looked at the Lowe's site the first time. I think that may have just sealed the deal. After reading and reading and reading....I think I'll save some $$ so I'll have a head start on the next washer. How's that for being optimistic??

Whatever you do stay away from LG. It's a service nightmare. I would go with Whirlpool or Frigidaire front loaders.
Peter

Whew! With the help of several of you...I've ordered my new Whirlpool Duets! The 10% coupon from Lowe's was great! When added to the rebate Whirlpool is offering, I saved a good chunk of change. Thanks to everyone. Now...I'll have my fingers crossed I don't have to use the service contract too soon!