For something like a washing machine, I think I personally see older, second hand goods as worthy competitors for new ones, in terms of their likely remaining life expectancy. The fact they tend to be cheaper seems almost perverse.
I lived in several.different places recently with their own washing machines. All.economical.machines not only.failed to clean the clothes in one attempt (in total wasting MORE water instead) but some also made clothes dirtier unless you disassembled the filters and cleaned them very carefully after each attempt, resulting that sometimes it was faster to hand wash instead.
I currently live in a rented apartment, and I don't bought a washing machine, the ones available are too flimsy, waste time, waste water and power, and thus are a complete waste of money.
Edit: May be of interest: http://www.reddit.com/r/buyitforlife