Bought a set of them about the same time. They were great. Sadly the wife wanted the newer style with the glass doors. Gave them to friends. Probably still workingI have a set of front load Neptunes I bought back in 2004 and they are still running like champs. Wash great and hold a lot more than top-loaders with the agitator.
I don't have a problem with the water, but then every other load I run usually has some bleach in it. If you never use bleach I could see it smelling if it sat too long since there's always some water in the bottom (at least on the Neptunes).
