When we bought our home in '98 all the appliances were Kenmore - the previous occupants having worked for Sears. They were unspectacular but sturdy appliances, some that atrocious avocado color many boomers have come to loath.
6 years ago something on the dishwasher broke.
We'd already had the experience of failing to find a repairman for other Sears stuff. With no other option (after doing due diligence with Consumer Reports) we bought a new dishwasher for $400. It was a Maytag and came with good recommendations from C.R.
Unfortunately, C.R.s good marks were not borne out in the performance of the machine. It was just as noisy - at times noisier than the Kenmore. It did not make the dishes squeaky clean as the Kenmore did. In fact, they were just this side of slimy to the touch. Then it started needing repairs after two years. The impeller went. The motor got replaced. We bought a new latch set. And a couple weeks ago something else inside broke. One minute purring along, the next growling and groaning wildly and sounding ready to blow up almost.
Yesterday the repairman came by with a new seal/impeller kit. He installed the part and tried the machine. The noise was still there. Turned out that water leaking through the busted seal had rusted the bearings on the motor and we would need a new one for $200 plus a min. of $60 labor.
I thought when we bought the Maytag that would satisfy our dishwasher needs for the remainder of our time in this house.
Apparently not.
I'm not going to tally the amount we've spent on this machine in less than 6 years, but the decision was not hard. We'll be buying a new one.
The Cocoplum repairman was quite informative.
He told me not to expect more than 6 - 8 years from an appliance of any sort now. Maytag is the make that he repairs most. Also that virtually all the dishwashers they sell have the same motor. He's recommending the base model Whirlpool (he says the Kenmore was actually built for Sears by Whirlpool) as most reliable for the money (under $400 plus $125 installation fee).
I'm wondering what dishwasher stories others here might have that could be instructive or helpful?