missjenniferd1
Member
So, I've been using a tristar exl vacuum 3-7 days a week for like 20 years. Used to use it exclusively, but in the last 10 years also use a kirby.
I have 7 cats and a dog, all indoor only. My house is 3000 sq ft. All carpeted. Upstairs/downstairs.
Recently my powerhead broke on one of my tristars. it was the wiring fell out of the elbow and i couldnt figure out how to stretch the wire to reattach it to wherever it was supposed to go. I was annoyed but found a replacement used powerhead and threw the old one away. (Probably shouldve learned how to fix the wiring, but i threw it away already so thats that).
Anyway it got me thinking that i should also start looking at backup canisters as well. Looking at mg1, mg2, and the cs, and doing a google search, brought me to these forums. I read that the mg1, mg2, and cs all have crappy motors, and I should also mention that prior to my having my 2 exl tristars, i also had the silver one prior to that. i got it off ebay in great shape, in the late 90's, but the motor burned out after like 2 years of owning it, but i really loved how it cleaned, which is why i bought a new (used) one, but bought the exl instead, because evidently I'm hard on vacuums with all my pets. Although, the older tristars are supposed to last longer than the exl's and have better motors. Im sure if I'd replaced that tristars motor it wouldve probably given me 40 more years, but i threw it away and bought an exl because it was newer, so would have more life left in it. And after that, bought a second one. They've served me very well and still going strong. I love them!!
Now to my question. If i wanted to buy a backup canister, would i be better off buying the older used exl's like i currently have, (which would probably have the same years of use on it that i do) or the mg's? Which would last longer? I realize the exl is better than the mg's, but the exl's would already have 10 years of use put on them, so would the mg be better since its got less usage? Then i also got interested in used older electroluxes. Is any model electrolux better than a tristar? i know the new ones arent built like the old ones, but theyd have less use on them. Would i be better off with a patriot? I guess what im asking, is what USED, OFF EBAY, vacuum is best if im wanting to spend $200 or less? I need lots of power like the tristar, but i want longevity. Im pretty handy though, so if replacing a motor is just a matter of removing/replacing some screws, maybe that'd be best, but I've never worked on one and i dont have a lot of special tools. Also, with staying with tristar, i already feel like im ahead since i already have hoses and powerheads 2 powerheads in use, plus i bought an extra as a backup in case my other powerheads wiring falls out. I wrapped that button on the powerhead elbow with black electrical tape though as a preventative measure. That button somehow fell out and thats how the wiring broke. I must've bumped the powerhead on something for it to fall out and break like that. I can get replacement exl canisters in great shape on ebay for $70 shipped, powerheads also $70 shipped. It's interesting that I've never had to replace my tristar hoses or wands.
Im not in a rush, but i do like setting up ebay watches so that i can really snag a deal. So whats the best canister vacuum, complete with hoses and powerhead that can be had for $200 or less (dont need extra tools, just powerhead only).
Thanks for anyone's help and insight. Is tristar still the best? Its been so long since I've looked at vacuums i really dont know whats out there. Reading on here though, I've set up watches for patriot, miracle mate, but they're not posted very often, and are more expensive. But if they're equivalent to the old tristars, since I'm in no rush, i could wait for a patriot, but they dont fit my hos/wands/powerheads from my tristar, so I'd have to pay a lot more for a new setup rather than just replace the canister for my tristar. I know im rambling but i just want to know which vacuums i should be on the lookout for.
I have 7 cats and a dog, all indoor only. My house is 3000 sq ft. All carpeted. Upstairs/downstairs.
Recently my powerhead broke on one of my tristars. it was the wiring fell out of the elbow and i couldnt figure out how to stretch the wire to reattach it to wherever it was supposed to go. I was annoyed but found a replacement used powerhead and threw the old one away. (Probably shouldve learned how to fix the wiring, but i threw it away already so thats that).
Anyway it got me thinking that i should also start looking at backup canisters as well. Looking at mg1, mg2, and the cs, and doing a google search, brought me to these forums. I read that the mg1, mg2, and cs all have crappy motors, and I should also mention that prior to my having my 2 exl tristars, i also had the silver one prior to that. i got it off ebay in great shape, in the late 90's, but the motor burned out after like 2 years of owning it, but i really loved how it cleaned, which is why i bought a new (used) one, but bought the exl instead, because evidently I'm hard on vacuums with all my pets. Although, the older tristars are supposed to last longer than the exl's and have better motors. Im sure if I'd replaced that tristars motor it wouldve probably given me 40 more years, but i threw it away and bought an exl because it was newer, so would have more life left in it. And after that, bought a second one. They've served me very well and still going strong. I love them!!
Now to my question. If i wanted to buy a backup canister, would i be better off buying the older used exl's like i currently have, (which would probably have the same years of use on it that i do) or the mg's? Which would last longer? I realize the exl is better than the mg's, but the exl's would already have 10 years of use put on them, so would the mg be better since its got less usage? Then i also got interested in used older electroluxes. Is any model electrolux better than a tristar? i know the new ones arent built like the old ones, but theyd have less use on them. Would i be better off with a patriot? I guess what im asking, is what USED, OFF EBAY, vacuum is best if im wanting to spend $200 or less? I need lots of power like the tristar, but i want longevity. Im pretty handy though, so if replacing a motor is just a matter of removing/replacing some screws, maybe that'd be best, but I've never worked on one and i dont have a lot of special tools. Also, with staying with tristar, i already feel like im ahead since i already have hoses and powerheads 2 powerheads in use, plus i bought an extra as a backup in case my other powerheads wiring falls out. I wrapped that button on the powerhead elbow with black electrical tape though as a preventative measure. That button somehow fell out and thats how the wiring broke. I must've bumped the powerhead on something for it to fall out and break like that. I can get replacement exl canisters in great shape on ebay for $70 shipped, powerheads also $70 shipped. It's interesting that I've never had to replace my tristar hoses or wands.
Im not in a rush, but i do like setting up ebay watches so that i can really snag a deal. So whats the best canister vacuum, complete with hoses and powerhead that can be had for $200 or less (dont need extra tools, just powerhead only).
Thanks for anyone's help and insight. Is tristar still the best? Its been so long since I've looked at vacuums i really dont know whats out there. Reading on here though, I've set up watches for patriot, miracle mate, but they're not posted very often, and are more expensive. But if they're equivalent to the old tristars, since I'm in no rush, i could wait for a patriot, but they dont fit my hos/wands/powerheads from my tristar, so I'd have to pay a lot more for a new setup rather than just replace the canister for my tristar. I know im rambling but i just want to know which vacuums i should be on the lookout for.
