1. Looking for a new super automatic espresso machine.
2. I don't need anything related to milk,
3. a machine with tall enough spouts that I didn't have to hold my cup at an angle under the spout during the brewing process
4. I'd love to stay under $1000.

These four things are not really possible in the real world.

You do understand the concept of a "superautomat" don't you ???

They are designed for for milk frothing - you don;t have to use it, but they all come with the feature.

An espresso / cappuccino is by nature a "short drink" These machines are not designed for an extra super grande big gulp frappuccino like folks get at Starbucks. I don't know of any that will fit a travel mug underneath them.

Don't know any that are under a grand either - except for used. Then, you'll be looking at those pesky maintenance issues and parts costs that will start to erode the initial savings.

Think you'll have to adjust your criteria a bit , or prepare to be disappointed.

Perhaps you already know about Coffee Geek. If you haven't consulted their reviews it might be worthwhile. Their Prosumer/Pro Espresso machines are reviewed alphabetically and price is very prominent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee Geek Reviews

Starbucks has a drivethrough window.

Super-automatic? You should head on over to the kitchen forum and read the recent thread about Nespresso (and save about $800 bucks in the process).

I have had a Jura IMPRESSA C5 for about 3 years. It is used everyday. No issues to date, just flow the instructions.

Gosh, didn't think this was such an unreasonable question.

Xedos-- Superautomatic refers to machines that grind, tamp and extract the coffee automatically. For a long time they came only with steam wands, all the milk frothing gizmos are a recent innovation. I recognize that all machines will come with something that froths milk, I'm just saying I won't use it and don't care about it (and don't want to pay a whole lot extra for it if I don't have to). My Jura X90 fits the mug fine (~4.5 in tall, some machines only go up ~3 in). Three shots totaling 6-9 oz barely makes it up to a "short" in starbucks parlance, much less a big gulp, methinks. The Saeco pumped them out by the thousands over two decades. While I'd love to get what I want for under a kilobuck it doesn't mean I will. I agree that what I want may not be possible in the real world, at least not for under $3-5K for a commercial machine. It's just frustrating the way fewer gizmos and more basic function costs so much more.

Thank you for the link rococogurl.

Hollysprings-- I'm afraid the convenience of drive through might be offset by the 12 mile roundtrip drive to the nearest Starbucks. But thanks for the thought.

Super automatics are about convenience more than good coffee. They make mediocre espresso at best, and generally don't last very long. Btw, a double shot is two ounces, any more than that and it's going to be way over extracted. You can get a ccl and vario grinder combo for about a thousand, which is often recommended over at coffee geek. I second the recommendation to check out coffee geek, and also home barista.com.

I don't think your question is unrealistic at all. Yes, a superautomatic may not provide the same level of espresso as a totally manual device, but it's pretty good. You are going to get a milk steaming wand whether you want it or not, but that's not a big deal. I have had a Gaggia superautomatic for 6 y. In fact, they don't even make my model anymore. The closest is the Platinum Vogue. Mine was way less than $1,000, but of course that was many years ago. I got mine from Whole Latte Love. YOu can Google the site -- by the way I don't work for them at all.

We've had Capresso machines for 11 years with very little problem. I think we had to ship the first one in for a recall once, but that's it. They even gave us a trade in credit when we got the current machine, which is only the second machine in that time frame. I know the first one was just under 1k, I don't recall retail for the current one. Both were super automatics. Used daily with locally roasted whole beans.

Just my two cents - I have had a Saeco Vienna Plus for about 3 years and no major issues. Just the routine clearing out for the grinder burr..which my husband does for me. there are videos on how to open up the housing and clean it. The clearance for a regular 8 OZ mugs is sufficient. it was under a $1000, although they may now have a newer model. I did my research on barista.com as well.

I believe Breville has just introduced a model that fits your needs. I don't know the price point but Breville small appiances are built like tanks and have a relatively high price point. Check out the video at their site:
http://www.brevilleusa.com/the-oracle.html

Sounds like the Breville 800ESXL is suitable for you. Check out the link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Breville 800ESXL

It's not completely obvious but it doesn't appear that the Breville includes a grinder which I suspect is important to the OP.

The Breville Oracle does have a built in grinder and automatic tamp. Go the link I posted.

Yes, the Oracle does have the built-in grinder but it lists for $2k.

I got my Breville smart Grinder by watching Bed, Bath, and Beyond ads and using a 20% off coupon that they mailed to our house. Haven't gotten one in some time but they are probably going to send one soon. Probably don't carry the expensive espresso machines but you could check their online site to check.

Thanks for the link to the Breville, that was a machine I hadn't run across before. I will try to find one to check out. Also now homing in on the Jura C9 or S9. Some reasonable deals on refurbished machines, it seems. Thanks for your responses.

I ended up buying a refurbished Jura C9 for $699. The machine looked to be new, all the protective films and such were still in place. The coffee quality so far is well superior to either of my previous machines, so, so far, so good. The smaller water, bean,and waste reservoirs may prove to be an irritation over time, but if the quality of the brew persists I'll be happy to put up with it.

Congrats - quality coffee is a good thing!

I have been through two of the saeco and gaggia models, both lasted around 2-3 years making 10-20 cups per day on average. Main issue with the under $500 units is that no one will work on them, or the repairs exceed the cost of replacement( I've had both happen). Most of that class have the removable brew group for cleaning.

On the last go around I got a Jura j5, picked up a refurb model for $900. It has about two years on it and still works great. Additionally it can be readily sent off for service. Basically $150 will fix anything on it. The j5 is all enclosed, it runs a rinse on start up and shut down, and a clean every few hundred cups that takes about twenty minutes.

I am sure there are baristas who can make a better espresso out there, but for something that heats in 30 seconds in the morning with no mess I'll take it. I also don't claim to have a good enough palate that I could readily identify the better espresso. This puts a nice crema on the espressos, and the flavor is just right, not too bitter. I use home roasted coffee, normally Costa Rican.

Just about everything on it is adjustable: water temp, coffee strength and grind, volume of water for each programmed drink, etc.

You can't fit a travel mug under it, or at least none of the 16-20 oz ones that I have. I brew into a mug and dump it in if I'm travelling, or tilt it under the spouts.

Sorry, meant to also add that the j5 has a bypass doser as well.

Maybe give the Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine a shot. My friend bought it last month from Daily Cuppa Coffee for $649 so I'd say that's a pretty great deal. It comes with a bypass doser and can make your 10 cups pretty easily, I'm sure. You should check it out. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: gaggia brera super automatic espresso machine