Repair or replace?

I bought a one-month subscription to ConsumerReports.org ($4.95/month, no obligation) in order to research new dishwashers. I'm very glad I did because it has helped me narrow my choice down to two or three different models made by two manufacturers. I will feel much more prepared when I set out later today to make my purchase. After completing my dishwasher research, I just cruised CR.org a bit to see what else they had out there and I noticed that they had some very helpful information on appliance repair vs. replacement. There's a nifty/depressing chart they put together that shows when it is recommended an appliance by repaired by age, and when it is recommended that it be replaced should it break down. For dishwashers, anything under two years old should be repaired, three to five years old it is a judgment call, and a broken dishwasher six years old or older should be replaced. Insert comment on how they just don't make things like they used to. I think that we must have lucked out last year when we repaired our 10 year old dryer for $35. I wish I could link to the chart, but it's subscription only. Luckily CR summed it up for us... Our new advice: It makes no economic sense to have professionals repair many products that are out of warranty and more than three years old. On caveat they threw out there for appliances is that if you were very satisfied with the machine's performance before it broke, it may be worth fixing even if it is an older unit.