I have owned this blender for a year. The top is cheap rigid plastic that is difficult to get on and off. Replacement gaskets are expensive and they wear out (so the blender leaks) regularly. The jar is not totally stable on the base. And the top reason I hate it is the blade continually loosens and as it does not only does performance suffer (it doesn't blend smoothly) it becomes louder and louder to the point that it is unusable. And rusting. Honestly I can't believe that Cook's Illustrated recommended this unless I just got a total and complete lemon.