Well, I will agree, that there is no perfect vacuum cleaner panacea " out there " roaming around in that great big, imperfect world. And I'm not saying either: If all you have is a hammer in your tool chest, the whole world begins to look like a nail. What I am saying though: Is if you can get your hands on a Kirby 516 or 519, do so! Shake-outs wash quite nicely. I think vacuums, tools, toasters, the color of the paint you decide to paint your house with is some kind of extension, of one's own personality, no matter how mundane it may seem - it tells much. Call it an existential manifestation of one's self. Here's an example: My pit bull can beat your pit bull...etc., and so forth and so on. This would be reflective of the inner person's character, or total lack thereof as previously demonstrated. What I would consider to be a good choice, may not be considered so by others, and the same is conversely true. But there is a distinct deference between a good one and a bad one, and one would be hard pressed to dispute the fact that there are, indeed plenty of bad ones. I know from experience, and from the experience of many others, that most modern vacs are subject to premature failure, sometimes within just a week of mild use. This all being said, I cannot deny the razzle dazzle of the KIRBY, and its most awesome performance to spare!!!