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Interesting, you know I've heard this before and the thing that worries me most is people that buy the 5200 nowadays because their 20+ yr old 5200 finally gave out say that the current 5200 is not the same as it used to be. It feels like Vitamix freely alters design or components without feeling the need to announce it.
That aside, what reliability problems have you been running into? My main thing is, does it blend as well or better than 5200? I can deal with some fancy new tech issues if the core motor and blender are still top notch.
That aside, what reliability problems have you been running into? My main thing is, does it blend as well or better than 5200? I can deal with some fancy new tech issues if the core motor and blender are still top notch.
The 3500 blends well, but if you're putting any kind of rigorous workload on it (i.e. cruciferous vegetables or ice), then look out, you'll be making a phone call after a few months. The motor just can't hold up like the old 5200 can. I can place the same exact workload/water quantity in both and I can hear the 3500 struggling while the 5200 absolutely vaporizes it. I have two friends with the 3500 who are not daily users like me and they also ran into the same exact problems. Also the fancy digital interface is guaranteed to break eventually, unlike a machine that just has knobs. So it might be something to think about, because that will be an expensive fix once the warranty runs out (it has already died on mine once). My 3500 has been replaced four times in a span of 16 months now. My 5200 has not been replaced once in 15+ years. If you're just making lightweight things like protein shakes or soups, then you'll be perfectly fine with a 3500.
A side note, I watched the 3500 on Amazon go from 3.5 to 4.0, to 4.5 and now 5 stars, which I find highly suspicious given the disproportionate amount of negative reports I've read elsewhere on the internet. Many magazines and reviewers still pick the 5200 over the 3500.
All my research into these (I always over research, to the point of not buying anything lol) pointed to this model, or the 7500. But I wanted the tall container for blending small quantities. 🤷 ♂️
Appreciate all yall jumping on these threads giving real personal experience!
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I don't know much as far as motor power or specs but the Costco one is a bundle with 2 smoothie jars and a dedicated base for blending in them. I cannot give the smoothie blending enough praise - the cleaning is so fast and minimal.
I called vitamix yesterday. They honor the warranty with a couple of differences. You cannot return for a refund to vitamix (amazon is 30 days) or use the blender to trade in/up.
If there is a problem vitamix will pay all shipping & repair costs. The cs person I spoke to had been fielding these calls all day. She said go with your budget since vitamix will not price match. & she said do not hesitate to call cs with questions since there is a learning curve to using this blender.
Mine's being delivered tomorrow from amazon. I will be using extensively in the next couple of weeks, just in case I hate it but I expect to be very happy.
Great price plus I got another $10 off with amex deal. Hope that helps!