I would try flipping the washer before buying a new one. The part about the tranny pulling in neutral sounds more like something could amiss in the tranny. If it shifts OK and isn't making any undo noises it's probably OK. Are you sure it wasn't doing it all along & you just weren't as sensitive to it because you weren't looking for anything wrong?

Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.