FWIW, Whirlpool bought Maytag...so if you don't like Whirlpool, you won't like Maytag.
I've had a front-loader for a while and like it. I find that the clothes come out cleaner than with the old top-loader that I had.
I wasn't aware of the mildew odor problem with front-loading washers before we bought one.
The manuals for the washer warn about cleaning the washer out on a regular basis. They make tablets that you pop in the washer and run through a cycle once a month to take care of the issue.
As far as gas or electric, I've found in the past that gas gets hotter. That might make for faster drying, or it might make for ruined clothes. I find that my newer dryer gets a full load done really fast (usually 35-40 minutes), so that helps the electric bill a lot. I think a big part of it depends on the costs for gas or electricity in your area...and whether you're set up currently for gas or electric. Keep in mind that with an electric dryer, a 220 circuit is required (out of most folks' capabilities) and with a gas dryer, a gas line needs to be plumbed in (again, out of most folks' capabilities and possibly a legal violation if you aren't licensed). Both operations would cost in the hundreds of dollars. You can add that to the up-front costs and the projected operating costs.