The Neptune washers really are crap.  I own one, and it's been repaired multiple times.  Maytag lost a class-action suit over the Neptune, and even then the negotiated settlement wasn't that great for those of us who bought one.  Mine has burned out components on its main control board 3 times now, and that's a $200 part if you're paying for it out of pocket.

We'll definitely have to consider the Duet when the extended warranty on the Neptune runs out.  The reasoning for our purchase of the extended warranty, which covers 100% of parts & labor for 3 years, was that it was much cheaper than replacing the washer outright.  Otherwise that piece of crap would have been on the curb the next day.

More on topic, the economic trade-offs for energy efficiency just kill me.  Until the $500 washing machine is as energy and water efficient as the $1200 washer, average efficiency will continue to be dragged down by the low end of the market.  Same thing with cars.  Seems like affordable refrigerators have gotten much better, though.

-AG