Dishwasher - buy new or repair?

[MTAtech]

I have a ten year old Maytag dishwasher. A leak has developed (I think it is a bad hinge). Having a repair person in will cost $87 for the visit plus labor and parts (unknown costs now).

A new unit will cost ~$500-600.

What will you do?

[Imanage]

If you are willing to spend that much on a dishwasher, you're probably getting a quieter and more energy efficient washer. Depending on how often you use it, if you got a 10 year old model, probably the gaskets and other parts are wearing out also. Replacement shouldn't be a big deal for them to take the old one out and slide the new shiny one in.

[Theophylact]

Ten years old? Buy a new one; even if you get this one fixed pretty cheaply (and it's hard to see how it's going to cost much less than $150-200), you'll have a working ten-year-old dishwasher, ready to have its controller, its heating coil, its soft-food disposer or something else go out on you.

I've been living in my house for 18 years, and I've replaced two dishwashers since I moved in.

[J-Excel]

A new one will likely use less power and water too. Just an assumption.

[RedFury]

Not to mention.....cleaner dishes with less fuss than the old one puts you through.

If I could justify the price, I'd buy a brand new dishwasher for this place because ours never seems to get stuff on the top rack clean all the time.

[Knothead]

My sister has one that's 12 years old, and I have replaced just about everything but the front panel (and I'm looking at that, too! )

I find it's a lot cheaper, as the 'fixit fees' are mostly labor, I believe. Plus, dishwashers are easy to repair.

What I hate is fixing washing machines. **sweat**

[MTAtech]

I agree with replacing it. The wife wants to fix it because she thinks this is cheaper. I think it is penny wise but pound foolish.

I think we'll get a new one.

I'm looking at the KitchenAid KUDI01IL[BL] ($550) or the Maytag MDB8600A[W] ($600).