New & buying a vitamix which would u buy

[pittpenguins]

On the vita mix website you can purchase a Factory Reconditioned Vita-Mix 5200 for 375.00
or I can buy Factory Reconditioned Vita-Mix Super 5000-Black. While supplies last.
Versatility: Our super package with two containers (wet and dry blade) offers power and
Saves space: Does the work of 10 different appliances.
Grinds grains: Then kneads dough for healthy, whole-grain breads.
and get the container to make whole breads

with me being new and getting started I really dont want to spend the 500.00 to get a new one and since the reconditioned ones carry the same warranty I thought might be a good deal to get started

just need a little help from the pros and what you think

TIA
:)

[rawrawks]

Me, I would buy reconditioned one.

[buffalogal]

I bought a reconditioned one. It's in perfect shape - looks brand new. Saved myself a few bucks and I'm very happy with it!! Go for the reconditioned one!! It comes with the same 7-year guarantee as the new ones do!! (Actually, I bought mine at a show at our county fair and they gave me an 8-year guarantee!) I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you purchase as long as it's a Vitamix!!:)

[pittpenguins]

would you buy the reconditioned 5200 or the 5000 which has the dry container
the 5200 does not have the dry container
didnt know if there is a big enough difference between the two I would love to have the dry container for when I get further along and want to attempt bread but if the 5200 is a better machine I can ask for the dry container for x-mas for that one.

thanks for all of your help :D

[Eva]

Hey -- You can use coupon code 06-003381 to get free shipping with either one... I'll tell you... I am a raw chef/teacher, and I don't have the extra container. If I want to grind a lot of flax, I just use the wet container but make sure there is no moisture inside when I turn the VM on.

I've heard good things about the 5000, but I don't know if it has the variable speed like the 5200 does. No matter what, that 7-year warranty sure is nice to have! :)

P.S. I paid $399 for the refurbished 5200. The price fluctuates a touch.

[maddbovine]

I have the reconditioned 5200 and I LOVE IT!! I haven't used it as much as I should have in the 4 months I have had it as I got off the raw bandwagon (back on again for the month of Rawktober) but I didn't want to spend the extra $$$. Instead I have a dedicated coffee grinder for grinding flax seeds or whatever I need to grind. It won't grind dried chickpeas or anything (or at least I haven't tried) but I haven't missed it or needed the dry container. Someday I may wish for it for Christmas but there is so much to do with your new toy to be, I am sure you won't miss it!

[buffalogal]

I bought the reconditioned 5200 at our County Fair. It was $379.00 plus New York State tax, of course.:mad: The shipping was free. It came with an 8-year warranty, instead of the usual 7-year one. It also came with a $40.00 coupon, with which I got (talked into) the smaller "wet blade container". I doubt I will ever use the smaller container because you have to take the blade off the larger container and put it on the smaller container (it came with a special wrench to do this). I didn't know it at the time, because I had to wait for the VitaMix to come in the mail...since I didn't buy the brand new one (which I could have taken home that day. They don't carry reconditioned machines to the shows with them.) I really figured that it would come with its own blade! Anyway, I did alot of research before buying it, and most people said they don't use their "dry container", or don't even have one and they get along just fine. That's why I chose not to get the dry container - seems like you don't really NEED it....and it is another $100.00!! (I can buy LOTS of fruits and vegetables with that $100.00!!) Whatever you get, I'm sure you'll be happy with it as long as it's a VitaMix!!

[sewrev]

I payed 400.00 for a new 5200 at Sam's when they have the road show..last November.. Check your local Sam's for the date they will be coming around..

[Chickadee]

pittpenguins- I own a vita prep and a 5000. They both work exactly the same...awesome! So when I saw the "show" guy at my local CostCo, I asked him about the upgrades of the "new 5200". He went into info about the new container, blah, blah, blah. It didn't satisfy me, so searching the internet I came up with this from the vita mix site (http://www.vitamix.com/household/products/super5000/5200faq.asp):
At the heart of the Vita-Mix 5200 is a new and more efficient 2 peak horsepower motor. This motor has been custom-designed—just for Vita-Mix—to run substantially cooler when processing the heavier-than-normal mixtures such as peanut butter and ice cream, two favorite Vita-mix recipes.
Everything else they talked about was superficial. I personally have never had a hard time making ice cream in my older vitamixers. They don't overheat or anything...I mean isn't that the whole purpose of a vitamixer?:D

So I guess the choice is really going to be up to you. Either one you get should work wonderfully. I'm not sure it's a matter of newer is always better when it comes to vitamix...but it doesn't hurt anything either. ;)

Hope this helps. And congratulations on your new vitamixer...I hope (and kinda know) you're gonna love it!


P.S. I don't have a dry container for either of my machines, and really don't feel I need it. I just grind what I want in my wet container, which works fine. But since I've never used a dry container I really can't compare them. So I guess I'm no help there. Sorry. :(

[Vegansara]

I'd love to buy a refurbished one. If I can't find it on their site, do you think that means they don't have any right now? Or am I not looking in the right place? Thanks!

[soulstar]

Adding my 2 Cents.
I also use my Vitamix everyday and I have never felt the need for a dry container. I usually use my coffee grinder for grinding flax and other seeds, and my food processer for grinding nuts and have had no problem.

[michigan roman]

HERES A NEW BLENDER THAT JUST CAME OUT :D

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/vballsuperstar27/Detroit_Red_Wings_Logo_jpg.jpg

:cool:

[raweater]

I'd highly recommend considering a Blendtec, you can get them new for $325 and they are more powerful and have more features than the VM.

Here's a review of mine and I compare the features it has over the VM:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Blendtec_TB_621_BHM_Blender/content_452726918788

[Soose]

I'd highly recommend considering a Blendtec, you can get them new for $325 [/url]

I just had to send in my Blendtec (at 2.5 years) due to an electrical problem, my dh thought it might be a loose connection inside but we didn't want to break the warranty by having him repair it himself -- they sent me a different unit back. Different arrangement of controls but the same buttons.

The Blendtec demo/show is at our local Sam's Club this week. The price is $379; it comes with a 7 year warranty rather than the normal 3year (four years extended), with a book.

I note they've redesigned the lid, a good improvement; mine has the small air hole in the solid rubber lid; this has a better-fitting rubber outer lid with a big square inner lid of clear plastic.

I also note the new buttons are imo better. There are buttons across the bottom for the categories (soup, ice cream, smoothie, etc.), easier to select. Still the same arrows.

Not sure why I'm telling you all this. :) I tried a Vitamix originally but settled on a Blendtec. The controls on the VM drove me crazy, and the lid still made my food taste like rubber at the 30 day trial. But the VM had better support at the time (better instructions, etc.).