We started out buying Sears, as your grandparents Seiver had. First one was ok, but died when we moved in 1983. Bought a Maytag then, still using it! For top-loading machines, it was innovative, in that to work on the motor you pop off the front panel. Other machines, you had to walk the heavy muthah out from the wall! Ironically, we haven't had to work on it. 'Nuff said.

Oh, and the Sears drier we bought in 1985? Replaced in about 3 years with a Maytag - still using it. Just sayin'.