I bought a rebuilt model and have been happy with it. I figure it's better than new as it's just had a thorough inspection.

Rather than buying used, why not buy one of the reconditioned ones? They come at various price points with a 5 year warranty. Reconditioned Vitamix

I found one at a rummage sale for $20. Don't know how it compares to a newer one but have no complaints about how it works. I grind popcorn for cornmeal and have made 'ice cream' using ice cubes & whipping cream and it doesn't have any problem handling either of those tasks. Bonus with the stainless steel container is that I don't worry about cosmetic damage from the hard popcorn. I hate the spigot thing on mine and ended up getting a plug for it from Vitamix. That cost almost as much as I paid for the whole machine! And all it does is plug the back side of the spigot (where I would like to get rid of it entirely) but at least it doesn't get packed full of whole popcorn or eggshells (pulverize them in the VM before tossing in the compost.)

On another note, assembled, it is a tall beast so you might want to decide how & where you want to store it and if you have open space enough to use it.

Oh--as far as long-lasting goes--I would think so. For starters, it is very powerful and mine has a motor overload trip thingie on it. I have an idea that it would be pretty hard to tear one up even if that is what you set out to do. I don't use mine a whole lot and I imagine that a lot of the available used ones that have been owned by individuals have also seen pretty light use.

I have Model #479044.

Even the reconditioned (recent model) ones are $$$, like $350-450. I guess I'm cheap.

I was getting real close to being "not cheap" and springing for a Vitamix until I read about flaking Teflon, a problem that's apparently fairly common and been around for a while unaddressed. Buy an older one and it might all be pre-worn off for you. Yes I'm kidding, sort of.

You might want to consider a Bamix stick blender, depending on what you use the blender for. I have my blender in the garage and seldom use it, as it is difficult to clean, and my stick blender does what I would want the regular blender to do. If you are grinding wheat or corn or making nut butter, then that is a different story, but if you are only making smoothies, a powerful stick blender should do the job, be easier to clean, not have a jar to break, and take up less space. My blender has a glass jar, but I use it only when making Margaritas, and I am out of Margarita tequila at the moment. I only have Patron tequila left, and I will not use that for Margaritas.

I have a Bamix and think it's great, but it doesn't compare to the Vitamix. I also had a few blenders before the Vitamix and they did a lot of dust collecting. I actually use the Vitamix.

I am trying to figure out where Teflon flakes on a Vitamix? I have a refurbished one. Mine came to me free but I have to say, that while I am cheap/broke, I think the Vitamix would be worth it. We had gone through a few blenders and I was sick of it. I like the warranties and find it to be a fabulous machine. I just wish mine would have been black (instead of white) but beggars cannot be choosers. I love, love, love how silky it can get a pureed soup.

A blender is a very simple machine. Nothing more than a motor directly connected to blades. A wood worker's router is much more complicated. A high speed high power router can be less then $80.00. A Vitamix is way over priced. It's OK if you can afford it.

There are very few parts that can get worn out in a blender, mostly the carbon brushes. Which are cheap to replace. There are no gears to strip, and no belts to break. So it is safe to get a used blender.

But if you are cheap like me and have a router, spend $40 for a Blendtec jar, which comes with blades and you got yourself a decent high power high speed blender.

dcarch

Vitamix has updated their containers so that they no longer shed the black flakes. Here's more information about the black flakes.

Yes I just found that, too. Seems a very recent fix. Like this month. Now I have to muster up the nerve to spend all that money on a blender.

The house Ninja can no longer use its large container. Only the small container works. This one fails to render smooth smoothies. This morning alone, I have received Numberous Complaints from the local citizenry. Carrot chunks in their breakfast, etc. Tempers are rising and my position grows delicate. I need to produce a satisfactory blender, STAT, or fear for my head.

Which model?

dcarch

#5200, black, $299, no tax no shipping. Son has made a test smoothie and is very happy. The revolt is quelled.

Good one.

About 28000 RPM actual. Don't believe what they say in adv. 32000 RPM.

dcarch