KitchenAid KSB5 5-Speed Blender, Empire Red

I bought this nearly two years ago through amazon as a refurbished unit. This was after having two lesser models where the drive mechanism on the bottom simply melted. I found this and didnt think there was really anything to lose.
When I ordered it I received it in a very timely manner, and you wouldn't even know that it was refurbished. It has lasted me well. I have thrown everything from mixed drinks, smoothies, crushing ice, making gazpacho, even bread crumbs- and it has handled everything gracefully and with ease.
I love the fact that this is not a huge capacity, but has more than enough. I also like the fact that the lid on this is slightly flexible and acts almost like a gasket more than a lid. There is also the fact that the buttons that control it are smooth surface so they wipe off easily.
One thing. My husband dropped the jar on in and smashed it to bits. With alot of other ones this would have resulted in trashing the whole thing and getting a new one because it would be hopeless to try to find parts. So at midnight in a saturday I was right back here on amazon and ordered a replacement jar. I know that if anything breaks other than the actual motor, I can get it replaced without having to buy a whole new unit. Love it!
This was the first item I ever bought by kitchenaid, and I have not been disappointed.
I'd recommend refurbished if you can find it- it's a great value for the same quality.

This blender is great when its working! the coupler(the rubber thing which spins the blade) started to wear out and now its completely torn and can't run the blades!

I called the CS and they say I need to order from a service center which is 100miles away from where I live...

My oster blender which I paid $15 is working from 9 years! but this one broke with in 2yrs.

This blender is very powerful and excactly like advertised. I really like it and use it alot. Would highly recommend it to anyone.

Love the Kitchen Aid blender. Arrived promptly & works great!
Enjoying the nice bright red color also.

I should have listened to the other one-star reviews. Yep, the rubber coupling began to break off (the rubber teeth on the base of the blender that the top rests on--the part the turns the blades in the top). The rest of the blender is in great condition. Very sad. We'll be buying a different blender. (We use this for making frozen fruit smoothies 5-6 days per week.) Poor internal design.