These are excellent machines, although I call them copycat Panasonics but I don't think that they are the best at deep cleaning. The sister model to this Riccar 4812 is the Simplicity 6570. They are the same machines but the only differences besides the name, the looks, and the color is that the Simplicity has a looped handle and the Simplicity uses spring loaded wheels with wheels on the nozzle. The Riccar only has wheels on the body of the vacuum just like what Panasonic and other competitive brands have used before as well such as Sharp, Sanyo, and Bernina.
What I don't like about these is the telescoping wand which is one reason I like Panasonic better. The telescoping wand sometimes pops out of the port when you are using it (Including the hose itself), it's also a little difficult to take the hose or wand out when you put it in the port tight enough, and the telescoping part would overtime get dirty or worn to where it can no longer slide out.
I also don't like the bottom plates on these (Mainly the Simplicity bottom plates) because I find them a little trickery to be reassembled back in but it takes getting used to, the Riccars seems to be easier to handle. And the bottom plates doesn't really cover the entire bottom compare to Panasonic because it does have some openings to where I find some dirt that gets trapped up inside of there If I go to changing belts on the Simplicitys. I've had that problem with my Symmetry that I just recently sold but I don't think I've experienced that problem before with the Riccars but I wouldn't be surprised if I did.
And what I like about Riccar better than Simplicity is that the Simplicity's foot pedal does drag on the carpet so it makes it a little hard to move with in upright position. Anyway that's my overall thoughts and congratulations on your find.
