I have a 15 year old Samsung frontloader dryer (gas). I bought the washer and dryer at the same time, but just replaced the washing machine last year with an LG frontloader.
Hope your friend is wrong on the new LG!
We have a gas dryer (Sears Kenmore model IIRC) that was bought in the 1970’s. It still works great. The repair guy recommends that we never get rid of this one. He says the new machines are junk compared to the older ones. The only thing it ever needs is the occasional belt (around the drum) that wears out.