Highly recommend!

I've had the 3 speed blender since 1998. This is the old style with the screw-on lid. Aside from the inherent problems with the lid, I'd rate this blender as one of the best. I'm not at all crazy about the screw-on lid, but I've gotten used to it after fours years of fairly heavy use.

I've heard that cleaning is a problem, but KitchenAid does recommend filling the glass jar no more than half full of warm/hot water and a few drops of dishwashing soap and pulsing at high speed for about 30 seconds. This definitely cleans the blender out, although I have noticed that the gasket that sits between the lid and the jar needs to be cleaned by itself every time you use the blender.

KitchenAid does have a promotion available for those of us who are now looking for replacement parts for older (screw-on lid style) blenders. You can call 1-800-541-6390, option 4 for details. You can upgrade to either refurbished/new and either 3- or 5-speed models.