Consumer reports recommends Panasonic, and GE

Consumer Reports - recommended washing machines

LG WT1001CW US$650
Whirlpool WTW4850BW US$520
GE GTWN5650FWS US$600

Consumer Reports reliability ratings for brands

(top-loaders with fewest repairs and serious problems)
Speed Queen
Maytag
Whirlpool
Kenmore
GE

Consumer reports recommended TVs we might want to buy.

32 inch Samsung UN32EH5000
32 inch Samsung UN32F6300
29 inch Samsung UN29F4000
29 inch Vizio E291i-A1
29 inch Toshiba 23L1350U
29 inch Toshiba 29L1350U

EDIT 2014-02-17 We purchased a 32-inch Philips 32PFL4508/F7. It uses LED back-lighting, so will hopefully last a long time.

The 32" non-HD Philips CRT TV we bought about 15yrs ago, is finally starting to die.

The screen is showing banding/random flickering, and loss of 'white' level (the screen will get dim, and the colors will seem strong, but as if the white-level had been severely reduced).

From my measure that 'something should last at least 10yrs', this TV ( Read more... )

Recommended toilets.

Aquasource AT1203-00 (Lowe's) - US$100
American Standard Clean 2514.101 (Lowe's)
Gerber Avalanche 21-818
Toto Drake CST744S
Kohler Highline Classic K-3493
American Standard Clean 2514.101 (Lowe's)
Toto Eco Drake CST744E

Friedrich CP06F10

Summary: This 6,000-btu Friedrich model features a digital display, built-in timer, energy saver mode, a remote control, and up/down louver control. A slide-out chassis helps installation. Through-the-wall installation instructions are also provided.

6,000btu 560watts

Consumer reports - TVs

Samsung UN26EH4000

Summary: A 26-inch LCD HDTV with LED backlighting from Samsung with 720p resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, 2 HDMI inputs, and 1 component-video input.

2011 Honda Pilot - the original tires on the car are size 245 65 17.

Factory lug nuts on our car are 22mm.

EDIT 2012-07-28

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/tires.htm

My picks a subset based on brands I 'know' and have used, or others I know used.

All season truck tire CR recommendations ( Read more... )