You guys want strong: My Riccar 1700 canister could pull dry paint off a wall!! The suction on this unit is phenomenal. Generally I run it at half power, it's really rare to need the full blast of suction power that this machine produces. Even with power nozzle, many times I run it half or the next level up but rarely on full power. I've had some vacuums in the past where the suction is so strong it slows down agitation, you don't want that. Agitator needs to runs full throttle, so you need a comfortable suction level that allows power nozzle to do its job, while still making a good seal with carpet.
I have many friends in the vacuum repair business. They like Miele but they all swear by the Tacony Riccar and Simplicity lines as well. Regardless what vacuum you get, replace your bags at about 3/4 full, keep filters clean, wipe out bag housing every few bag changes and if you're using HEPA bags, the housing stays clean. Don't slam them down, Don't crash them into furniture or other stupid things and they should be fine. Many people with expensive vacuums also have housekeepers that don't care about the vacs and never change bags.
Mieles are more expensive for parts, belts, bags and overall machine. The Tacony's also use universal fit hose handles to fit attachments from Kirby, Kenmore, Panasonic, most Hoover uprights and many other lines. I don't know about the Miele hose.
Here's a thing on reliability of what many predict in giving sales speech compared to actuality. My family has owned several Hoover PowerMax/ Windtunnel canisters. Most were about $200 brand new, one may have been about $300. Online reviews from some vac experts and customers has said that bag doors crack around the hose, plastic is very cheap, fair suction, and overall machine would last 5-10 years closer to the 7 year mark. Well from personal experience all of these reviews are FULL OF GARBAGE. Here's why and all of our machines have been used and abused by several house keepers that clean for my parents every week in addition to using the units ourselves. My family keeps a record of everything all appliances and other important purchases they buy in a spreadsheet, so I know purchase dates. The first one I remember very well because it was the day before my 15th birthday. Unplanned that way for the timing of a vacuum purchase as our previous vacuum died but it happened.
Hoover PowerMax S3603-040 purch. Sept. 1997- now 15 years old still runs flawlessly. Have replaced cord due to house keepers running it over. Replaced hose--(original material was not good, Hoover upgraded around 1999 to better material.) Replaced rear power nozzle wheels. Cleaning lady dropped this machine down the steps and broke handle and rear wheel, so we replaced the base. Rest of machine is original. Motors are originally. I love this machine, my sister has it though.
Hoover TurboPower 5000 S3577 purch. May 1998-- this one was a lesser model and not as powerful. Cord reel broke around 2004 and we put this unit in attic as a back up. It has since been parted out to fix other machines. Both motors run excellent!! Power nozzle is completely intact.
Hoover PowerMax Runabout S3614 purch. December 2001-- replaced cord reel. All else is original. Machine works fine.
Hoover PowerMax Deluxe S3607 purch. Feb. 2003. as factor refurb. This machine was used semi-commercially cleaning about 3 houses a week for a few years in addition to my own home. Headlight socket replaced was replaced. Sister's XFiance killed this machine cleaning under a dishwasher that had been leaking, prior to arrival of new dishwasher. I guess you can't fix stupid, I think he's lucky to be alive. I found lots of evidence of water pickup. One of the commutator contacts on motor broke off. We took the motor from the Turbo Power above and put into this unit. Power nozzle still runs excellent and I own it.
Hoover PowerMax Deluxe S3608 Purch. May 2004. My parents now most used machine. Replaced motor carbon brushes November 2012. I did the repair myself it cost about $12. Rest of machine is original and works phenomenal.
Hoover Windtunnel Plus S3639 purch. August 2008. This machine was in their vacation house where I lived full time for 3 years. Up until recently when this vacation house was emptied and its now with my parents as they moved and condensed 3 houses together.
So my point of this is that listening to stores you hear one thing, owning is another. Of these 6 "questionable quality" machines from repair shops the oldest is over 15 years old and newest is almost 5. One was killed by a drunk thinking it was a wet/dry vacuum. All of the others have original motors that have never needed service.
I'd be willing to bet you get 20 years from a Tacony vacuum!! If anyone has any questions, please let me know!
