I've had a Kirby vacuum for more than 20 years--it has needed NO maintenance except an occasional changing of a belt. I took it in for a "tune-up" last year: new wheels, new bag, etc--$100. Not bad for 20 years. I like it so much I bought a brand new one--sans attachments since I already had THOSE-- for $700. The new Kirby has automatic drive--like a lawnmower. And don't let those tricky salespeople overcharge you--they tried to sell me this for $1200--can you believe it?? So now I have a Kirby upsairs and a Kirby downstairs--I would NEVER want another brand. Penny in NY aka Mrs. Kirby ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================