My favorite appliance

After being exposed to the wonder of a fully automatic espresso machine, I knew that I had to have one. Several years later I purchased the Saeco Via Venizia from the US distributor.
The machine has performed well for us for 2 years. If I had a few more dollars to spend I would upgrade to a model with separate boilers for coffee making and steam production. When changing modes with this model, one has to either purge the steam or water. Related to this, the only problem with the machine is that the steam leaks a small drip of water. Without shipping it back to the factory (I will not live without it for that long), we have decided to live with it.
Typically we do not have the time to make cappuccino's or latte's and instead dial in a larger water volume to make a cup of coffee that is a cross between drip and espresso in taste.
On weekends we will take the time to make steamed milk drinks or on a hot day make iced coffee (espresso + sugar + milk, poured over crushed ice).
The entire experience makes us wonder how people will pay $2-$4 for an espresso based drink at a carry-out coffee place.
At any rate, just in terms of economics we are way ahead. Definitely buy a super automatic machine, or you won't use it every day.