I bought a new washer and dryer last year. All I wanted was an old fashion spin the dial to set washer and dryer. I know that's exactly what I picked but when the washer came it had all those push button sets it's own level of water washers. The dryer was what I picked but the washer wasn't. I was so sure of myself because I actually walked out of one place because the newer model push button one's were the only one's she wanted to keep pushing off onto me saying I'd have to wait weeks for the one I wanted. I went back to the store to take a look and the one I got was the one sitting in the place of the one I choose. I just know they moved them around because you don't walk out of one place so you don't end up being forced to pick what you don't want than go somewhere else and pick out what you walked out on at the last place. The reason I didn't want it is exactly as you stated, the whistles added the more chances increase of something breaking down. I don't need a washer to do my thinking for me, I am fully capable of setting the water level myself.