Product review (3 stars): They Just Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To
I would give this washer 5 stars for getting clothes clean, efficiency, and the high rate of spin cycle that makes the clothes dry very quickly.  But after 3.5 years it started making a horrible noise when spinning and the repairman told me the main bearings were shot and it wasn't worth fixing, which makes it a 1 star - so I averaged it out to 3 stars.  I really like the washer and found it easy to use and loved being able to wash bulky things like mattress pads and blankets, but the lifespan is just too short.  If you are handy enough to fix this kind of thing yourself then I wouldn't hesitate to get one, but otherwise you need to consider the price vs the expected lifespan and decide if it's worth it.

This is something like the 4th washer I've had in the last 20 years and they all break after a few years.  Washers used to last a minimum of 15 years but the quality is just no longer there unless (maybe) if you pay a fortune for it.  I guess it's the same "buy it cheap and if it breaks throw it away and get a new one" mentality that applies to so many of the things we buy these days.

Oh well.  Off to shop for a cheap washer so I won't be so upset when it breaks in a few years........