Product review (2 stars): This Neptune mutation isn't so hot
I bought this Maytag 2000 series washer to replace our 1st generation Maytag Neptune after its control panel went out in a cloud of electrical smoke; it was a good, simple machine with mechanical, not electronic, controls. Bought it when it was first introduced, ran it on our solar-electric system and it always functioned properly. As for the 2000 series washer, it does not stack-up to the performance of the original Neptune.  FIRST, this 2000 series machine only has one useful setting: the Rapid Wash cycle (the others take way too long). With it,your wash is finished in 28 to 34 minutes (depending upon the soil level setting you choose) ASSUMING THAT THE MACHINE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY DURING THE SPIN CYCLE.  SECOND, this machine often has trouble balancing the load during the spin cycle.  This either greatly extends the running time of the machine, or it finally just gives-up and shuts down, leaving you with a load of wash that's much too soggy to put into the dryer.  THIRD, related to the proceeding problem, it's not possible to stop the machine, open it, manually redistribute the load to balance it, then continue with the spin cycle. Once this washer is shut-down, because it is an electronic rather than a mechanically controlled device, it can only be restarted from the beginning of the wash cycle, i.e., you have to wash everything again and hope that it spins properly, this time; a waste of your time, a waste of electrical energy and water to boot.  FORTH, we can't run this electronic machine on our older, solar-power system due to technical reasons that I won't go into.  The gist: This machine was likely designed and tested by engineers who don't actually do the laundry at home.  If I can find a refurbished, earlier model Neptune or equal, I'll gladly trade-in this 2000 series Maytag for the older one and cut my laundry day losses.