I'll preface this with "knock on wood," so all my stuff doesn't die tomorrow :o), but I'm like you - here almost 16 yrs, fridge and range still fine. DW now on its last legs, but we also have incredibly hard water and looking into a softener. Had my microwave probably about 20yrs! We don't have high end anything - Amana, Whirlpool, Kenmore & GE. Never one service call for any of it.

The performance of appliances purchased 15 years ago is not relevant to the reliability of appliances you can purchase today. It's important to research carefully, and don't fall for glitzy marketing or fancy brands without first checking into reviews of specific models. Don't panic, just be cautious.

I think you can sum this topic up as ''they don't build them like they used to.'' The longevity of newer appliances isn't like older ones, partly due to build quality and partly due to the fact that they're loaded with electronics and all sorts of options that can fail.

High-end appliances aren't immume either. I bought a Miele DW that was a lemon, the repair techs couldn't fix it, and it had to be returned. My E'lux range has required 4 service visits in the first 3 months and still doesn't work right.

Some things can help, like the water softener you mentioned. Depending on your location, a whole-house surge protector might be prudent. And when I received an extended warranty application in the mail for that range on the same day as my 4th service visit, you can be darn sure I filled it out.

It's also a case of people being more prone to complain when something goes wrong, I think, vs raving when the appliances are working. After all, we expect them to work! So when they don't, that's when the web comes alive with posts complaining/reaching out for some help. People do sometimes post about loving their appliances, it's just more common to see the other side. (Although I fully agree that things aren't made like they used to be!)

Our top-of-the-line Thermador gas range had electronic control problems (broiler is gone, pilots light erratically). Needs a new circuit board, which would be a $600 part except that it no longer exists. Worse, the damn thing is a downdraft. Dishwasher (I have forgotten brand, but was also top) failed after 12 years. And the fancy GE fridge went after about 9 years.

But I wouldn't have replaced any of them before they failed, so why worry? I did use my local utility's protection program (saved at least $1,000 in furnace and a/c problems), but when the range part came up not available, that was that. However, I still find this a great program, and have my fridge, furnace, and central a/c covered.

Every problem I've had with an appliance, has been a circuit board. I had it replaced twice on my KitchenAid refrigerator and just had one replaced on my 4 month old Ikea oven. I honestly believe the last one was due to a power surge. We had other problems with electricity the day it went out. I'm definitely looking into the whole house surge protector as mentioned by the above poster. My mom's GE Profile DW board went out for the same reason. They think their transformer was hit by lightning.

We're keeping the fridge because I don't have the money to replace it. The last board replacement was about 2 years ago. It's been fine since then knock on wood. Incedently, it's been fine since the 3 year extended warranty ended.

For this reno, I opted to go with a vintage Chambers range. It's my "showpiece" appliance. It has all the bells and whistles I'll ever need. We're getting a new dishwasher too, the one we have still works, but it wasn't the greatest at cleaning, leaving food deposits and requiring 2nd washings. It's a Whirlpool Quiet Partner II. It's on the lower end with a plastic interior, it came with our house and is about 6 years old. It's also black and we're going with white cabinets. It's going to have a new home at my parents 2nd house where it will be used lightly. I haven't totally decided what I'm going to replace it with yet...

The biggest difference now is the electronics in appliances now. Those circuit boards make the newer appliances function better by maintaining an even oven or fridge temperature and sensing which cycle for the dishes.

The downside is there are more things to go wrong and they are expensive to replace. Some of the new ovens can be sensitive to heat and the circuits breakdown if you use high heat a lot. My new oven needed several boards replaced, but they were all under warranty and it's been nearly a year and a half--so far so good.

I've often been suspicious of the electric work done on our home when renovated 10 years ago. During that time, we've replaced a fridge, a range, 2 microwaves, 3 irons, a couple TVs, and a couple computers. Just makes me wonder since we never had any problems in previous homes. Our appliances were all mid-range, nothing high end, and not the bottom either. I also believe companies design their products with planned obsolesence. A friend told us they have a neighbor who worked for Insinkerator, and they built their products to last a certain number of years. I'm sure none of our appliances will ever be cherished as "vintage".

After reading about so many appliance breakdowns caused by circuit board failures, I had a whole house surge protector installed during some pre-kitchen electrical work. It may or may not help, but the cost only added a few hundred dollars to the total. I figured it was a cheap insurance policy.