Previously owned [money] Osterizer blender for 10 years which worked just as well as this Cuisinart blender. Shortly after the warranty expired but only after 15 uses, the clutch -- which is plastic -- broke. Without the clutch, the machine is inoperable. When I called Cuisinart to inquire into repairing this product, they told me I would have to mail the blender base (motor is heavy!) and then, only after receipt they would estimate the cost of fixing the machine. When I asked for the average cost of repair, the answer was at least [money]. In other words, for the cost of buying a new Osterizer, I could pay for another plastic clutch to be installed. No thank you. A friend of mine who owned a Cuisinart blender had the same thing happen. She now owns a KitchenAid blender and is very happy with it.