I've had the same Blendtec for many years now. The motor is powerful and that blade still pulverizes ice and kale for my green shakes. I have replaced the jar because eventually the rubber gasket gets old, but Blendtec's new design fixed that! It's really, really easy to clean, too, so it looks good sitting out on my counter. My husband makes a shake every single day and has been for years with Blendtec's fourside jar.