Does anyone have one? I'm considering buying one to make soups, etc.

My sister-in-law has a Vitamix blender and loves it! She loved her daughter's and lusted over it so she received one as a gift for some occasion.

I have an old cheap-o blender and am thinking about replacing it. But I can't go the several hundred dollar route...I'm looking at a Kitchenaid for me.

My BFF has the blender hawked on the infomercial by Montel Williams, but I've heard of people having problems with it & poor customer service. It's similar to the Vitamix, but cheaper. I expect to get heavy-duty usage out of it, so the price doesn't scare me. I have a KitchenAid stand mixer and it has survived an international and three domestic moves -- love thier products.

Vitamix is one of the best blenders you can buy. You get what you pay for. I've had a 2-speed professional Oster for about 14 years now, when it dies that's what I'm getting.

Check Popular Mechanics blender comparison test:

http://www.popularmechanics.co...0272001?click=vid_sr

I'll be getting a Kitchenaid.

Wow that was surprising! I'll guess I'll be getting the KitchenAid blender to go with my mixer! LOL!

Not gonna spend $400.00 if I don't have too.

I almost ordered a KA then thought that I'd wait and put it on my Christmas wish list. I'm hard to buy for. I'll put up with my ancient cheap-o for a few months. OH MY! Only SEVEN months until Christmas!!!! ay-yi-yi!!!

For what it's worth - the newest (July 2012) issue of Consumer Reports mentions that with a Ninja blender "You get almost the same performance for about $400 less, and its a bit quieter" relative to a Vita-Mix.

I don't have personal experience with either. Just passing something what I read.

Thread comparing VM with Ninja blender

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/800465

Another review from GoodHouskeeping

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/800465

Several people did not like their KA blenders (in the link army posted). Hmmmm...I will have to do a bit more research.

Another comparison:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/arti...rs-for-your-kitchen/

I have a vita mix and it is a dust collector... it is LOUD...awkward to use, I hate the way it works period...I used it mainly for making my sons baby food...for the past 5 years it may have been used 2-3 times...it was a gift so I keep it, would I buy it... NEVER!!! My kitchen aid mixer and 3 in one food processor-blender-juicer are used almost on adaily basis.