I can relate to that washer-dryer story. A few years back, I went all-in on a high-end dishwasher that had touch controls and Wi-Fi connectivity (because apparently dishes need internet?). Sure enough, it looked sleek and futuristic, but it kept glitching out and randomly disconnecting. Eventually, I replaced it with a basic, no-frills model—no Wi-Fi, no fancy lights—and it's been rock solid ever since. Sometimes simpler really is better... fewer headaches and more reliability.
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I've had pretty good luck buying high-end appliances new. Yeah, the Wi-Fi thing can seem pointless at first, but my smart fridge has actually saved me a few grocery trips by letting me check what's inside remotely. Maybe the trick is to do more research into brands and models before diving in... not all fancy tech is created equal. Sometimes paying a bit extra upfront can pay off, if you know exactly what you're getting into.
Have you thought about how long you're planning to stay in your current home? If you're settling in for a good while, going new can make sense—warranties, latest tech, peace of mind. But if you're likely moving in a couple years, used appliances in good condition might be smarter financially. Also, are you handy at all? Buying used can be great if you're comfortable doing minor repairs yourself... otherwise, maintenance costs might sneak up on you.
Honestly, even if you're planning to stay long-term, new isn't always worth it. I bought a used fridge five years ago—still running strong. Warranties sound great, but they're often limited... and newer tech can mean pricier repairs down the road.
Bought a brand-new washer-dryer set a few years back, thinking it'd last forever. Two months past warranty, the fancy digital panel went kaput... cost me half the price of the machine to fix. Lesson learned—sometimes simpler (and older) is better.