my motto is : if it still works do not replace it. only reason to replace is if the repair is costlier than a new machine
I HIGHLY recommend that you buy a GOOD front load washer. I own one myself and you will be AMAZED at how much LESS water and electricity those things use. They are very quiet and save you MONEY in the long run. Another plus is that they can move mountains of laundry if you have it.
If its still working well, keep it for now. I had a repairman come and do maintainence check on my 14 year old Whirlpool W/D and told him I planned to get a front loader when I build my new house in 2 more years. He told me to just get a large capacity top loader because the parts in a front loader are easily damaged by loose things that may fall out of clothes pockets or if stuffing comes out of a bedspread. My mom's front loader had to be repaired 3 times in 2 years because when my sisters and I would all go home to visit and be doing laundry, in variably one of our husbands or the kids will have left coins in a pocket and they got in the spin mechanism under the tub. Fortunately, my dad knows how to fix them. THe repairman said that the problem is compounded by the fact that front loader parts are more expensive and also since more people own top loaders than front loaders, the parts aren't kept in stock by the shop, so when he has to replace them, he has to order them and it can be a week or more before he gets the part to bring back and install. My washer will need a new transmission before too long, but will hopefully hold up until I get my house built and buy new appliances. I'm going to go ahead and get a front loader then because I have a large family and I need to knock out more laundry per load run than a top loader will fit. I'm hoping that if I get one that is high quality and I keep on top of my family's pockets, I won't have to replace any parts for a long time.
