vac ~ The mixer is made in China. I certainly don't want to be the one to tell you "Don't do it!". No, I'll take that back. I will be the one. Don't do it. Hold on to your old KA until you can afford to replace it with something worthy of you hard-earned money. Just because it looks good doesn't mean it is. Why on earth would they sell it for 1/2 price if it was good quality? They wouldn't need to do that because if it was good quality, it would sell itself regardless of the price. You know the old saying..."Beauty is only skin deep".

Yes... I am sure that my KA will outlive me, but the "cheap" one is soooooooooooo pretty!

Surely you know by now that a pretty face ain't all?
Form over substance doesn't make it!!...Stick with the Kitchen Aid....and spend the extra $$ on a lovely Le Cruset Dutch oven!...You will be glad!
But...hey Vacuum Guy....do you have a cuisinart? They are pretty and do the job!
Maybe buy one of them!
Linda C