Hey guys... I brought the defective model back to Big Lots and exchanged it. I got one that I like a lot better. Didn't get the floor model because it wasn't in the greatest of shape and the attachments were all different colors. I went to 2 different Big Lots and they only had the silver in stock... I'd rather have had the blue, but the silver is growing on me.
The good: This one has all the attachments and they are all the same color. Also, the dirt finder lights work properly.
The bad: There's one or two minor scratches on it... the newer models are "painted" whereas the first ones (the green and maroon ones) were the same color plastic all the way through, so a scratch is much more obvious on the newer ones. Normal people don't care about that, but that bothers me as a collector. Also, while the machine does propel backward and forward with the transmission on, the transmission still engages just a little bit when I have the switch set to off on the back stroke. This happened with the first one too, so I don't know why it did that, but if anyone knows why or if it's an easy fix, please let me know. I simply don't have the energy to take it back and get another one, and who knows what problems another one might have. Another weird thing is that the bag was paper in this one, but the floor model and the first one both that the "hepa" cloth like bag in them. Plus this one had dirt in the bag when I opened up before I even ran it... not much, but enough for me to know someone else had used it! So annoying, exactly what do they do when they "factory refurbish" a vacuum anyway? ALSO... the plastic part between the turbo tool cover and the power switch wasn't flush with the rest of the machine... it stuck out too far... I had to take the machine all apart (at least I got to see the dirt finder microphone in the process and make sure it was clean, which was good) and actually BREAK two horizontal tabs of plastic that were preventing the piece from laying flush with the rest of the machine. Annoying to say the least.
So... I do like the vacuum and I'm glad I have one now, but this has been quite an experience and I don't think I'll get another vacuum for a long time! I may get a bagless version if I find one on CL for a decent price just for fun, but I won't actively search for it. This thing is powerful... but the hose is crazy to use. So short, and when you try to use an attachment, the hose snaps back tight and pulls the vacuum down to the floor or into the user. I can tell this one is nowhere near the same quality of the ones I sold at Sears back in 2001. I didn't find the HEPA bags at Wal-mart, so I just picked up a 3 pack of the Arm and Hammer paper Y bags for now just to get by with.
I'll include a picture. Once again guys, I can't thank you enough for your support/advice here
) And if anyone has any info about the transmission still engaging on the revers stroke even with the handle locked, I'd love to hear about it. Even with the machine power off and handle locked (locked meaning power drive set to off), if the handle is reclined, I can't roll the vacuum backwards because the wheels lock up indicating the transmission is still being engaged. I have to put the handle up and roll it on the back wheels.
I do love the hoover emblem on the bag cover though
) The jury is still out on the loop style handle, but I'm pretty sure I like the original one better, never been big on loop handles.
Thanks again
