I've had VitaMixes for probably more than 35 years. I don't remember what year I got the first one for Christmas, but it's been my only "blender" since then. This one is my third. I've recently changed to the Paleo diet, and use my VitaMix multiple times every day. Unfortunately it doesn't fit under my counter, as advertised, so I have to take it out of the cabinet and put it back, but that's the only "bad" thing about it. I love the return to the pulse option, and my variable speed on my old one was getting "twitchy", so it's nice to have that fully functioning again. I'm very happy with my new VitaMix!