We've had a Maytag Neptune (HE) front-loader for close to ten years and have never had a leak.
There are certainly more HE detergent choices than there used to be. You really need to keep an eye on prices and stock up when the stuff goes on sale, tho, because the price varies dramatically from week to week. I think you can get away with non-HE, but you have to use less since it foams more than the HE stuff.
As far as the lid locking, it's never been a concern for us.
With re the soap, HE machines operate differently, so the soap is inserted with the water. There's not enough water in the machine for the soap to 'bubble up'; that's what the HE is all about.