OK we're from the UK and front-loaders are standard there. The GW612 does not wash quite as well as a decent front-loader. However, we bought it second hand at 10 years old and it's been used heavily for a further 5 years. It was getting noisy on the spin, so I just changed the bearings and seal myself for $30 without too much trouble. I'm impressed with the direct drive motor - brilliant technology. The button panel is starting to crack now. F&P supply replacement decal panels fairly cheaply.

Machine never skipped a beat. Have been using it for a family of five for 10 years now and never had a problem with it.
Just purchased a house with room only for a front loader, so bought a Fisher & Payke again, hopefully it is as good as the last one.

My Fisher & Paykel top loader washing machine is just the best. Hot and cold fill, so no heating element is used to heat up the water = lower bills
Top loaders are good because they work WITH gravity rather than against it - resulting in minimum chances of bearings going,
Top loaders also have better spin results.
But overall this is a damn good make of washing machine and I dread the day anything goes wrong with it.
Its the only appliance I could never be without.

Thanks to Product Review I'm just about to go and buy a new front loader and it won't be a F&P!  I like the sound of the Bosch so will review that when I've had it a few months.
GW612: Nothing at all. I bought this because I used to have a F&P "Gentle Annie" which lasted beautifully for about 15 years.
After only a few months every load of washing came out with lint all over it. It's a disaster for large items like sheets and anything dark. Only 2 years later (how have I put up with it for so long??) the water regulator or something has stuffed up and it now won't fill with cold water at all. I'm not even going to bother having it repaired. Hate it hate it hate it!!

Seems like the electronics let this machine down, I am buying the next one up the IW712 to get the extra strength /Load capabilities enoughs enough
GW612: Wife likes it she washes every day Very easy to use
Blew up two main computer boards a year apart maybe due to overloading who knows??

We bought this machine a few years ago and have loved it since! It's fantastic! Just throw clothes in, push power, auto and then start! Perfect!
GW612: Everything! Washes brilliantly and is oh so quiet!
Nothing, a bit expensive but you have to pay the price for a good reliable brand!

This machine started playing after two years and started sucking my pocket. Breaking down is a hobby of this machine. Dont even think of buying this crap machine. I bought this machine of 700 bucks and i have spent 600 bucks on its repair in two months after the warranty expired.
GW612: Nice controls and looks quite fancy. You are lucky as long as this machine is under warranty.
It blew up two mainboards(Computer) in two months. This mainboard costs nearly 300 bucks.

Them good ole days are certainly gone when you could buy a washing machine,fridge,etc & it would give you 20 yrs of trouble free motoring...
GW612: Light!(You see my last F&P still had the concrete block in the bottom:)
In 5 yrs i've had the bowl replaced,the springs that hold the bowl in place & the control module replaced twice.Fortunately i took out a 5 yr waranty & sold it a mth before it expired.

Hate this machine and will never ever buy another Fisher & Paykel. Very rough on clothes which reduces their life, doesn't wash properly.
GW612: Nothing
Leaves residue on clothes, and rough on clothes.

it washed well when it felt like it wouldnt touch another f&p product ever again rubbish it was very rough and damageing to alot of our clothes never again
GW612: easy to use
lasted 2 years with breakdowns repaired under warrenity pump blocked up all the time electronic control board died 3 replacements in 2 years

In principle a great product, but in reality does not live up to expections. This is further made worse by the profit hungry sales people who promote them. This machine was replaced by a cheep and nasty Asian one half its price. Lets see if it outlasts the Fisher & Paykel!!
GW612: Good washing results
Control panel failed 1 month after 2yr guarrantee. Cost to repair more than half the original cost of the washer. Sales persons totally uninterested in their responsibility in terms of the Consumer Guarrantees Act. Invited me to have my concerns addressed at a tribunal.

maybe it does the job fairly good but it's panel design is so old fashioned. that's why a lot of really old people buy this thing. I totally hate the panel design! That's why Fisher & Paykel call it CLASSIC RANGE. Energy rating is 2.0 Star! it will use 554kwh per year! so i use this thing for a year or so, then the power bills will save me a lot of money i suppose...haha anyway, i'm not worried since i own a power company!
GW612: cheap, only $600 AUD. the shops couldn't wait to get rid of them. so i got a "bargain"!
Lots! where to start? it uses a lot of water to do washing and wastes a hell lot of power too! It will cost you a lot to run this thing over the years...

A decent washing machine overall. My gf and I needed to buy one after our old hoover carked it. we've had this one now for 18 months and is great! Fisher and paykel seem to have the most modern and reliable appliances and this machine is no exception!
GW612: the panel design looks pretty technical and fancy, ease of use, washes a large amount of clothes
I like the washing machines with the flip lid style lids