I purchased this 5-qt. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in December 2006. Eleven years and eight months later, mine is still going strong. Then and now, it is performing at top speeds as if brand new.To the delight of family and friends alike, over the past decade, I've made thousands of bread loaves, muffins, cakes, cookies, and other scrumptious baked treats. Hundred of pounds of meringue, whipped cream, bases, batters, and fillings. Countless sheets of fresh pasta. Endless bowls of dips, creams, frostings, and sauces. You name it, my mixer has done it and I still I LOVE it to this day!As a professional chef who has had the privilege of working in many high-end kitchens and patisseries with fancy equipment, I've used the industrial sized mixers that are as big as a horse and weigh tons. If the durability and capability of one of those behemoths could be equated to a domestic tabletop stand mixer, this machine is it - or at least my machine has been.Of course, it isn't surprising that my mixer has lasted this long since KitchenAid has a stellar reputation on its own. However let's be honest, part of the reason mine and others like it continue to perform without slowing down or without any hiccups is because I care for my machine at all times: before, during, and after each use.FOR EXAMPLE / TIPS FOR NOVICES:1. When making bread dough, depending on how dense the bread will be, I measure out my recipe in two halves, mixing it in two separate batches so that the machine does not over exert, or over heat, and also so that my 5-qt. mixing bowl does not over flow. I personally love working with bread dough by hand so I almost always dump out the dough and finish kneading it by hand on my marble counter-top. Another important thing to consider is NOT to fill the mixing bowl so much that the dough creeps up the lip of the dough hook and eventually creeps far up the machine itself. This will inevitably happen when there is too much product being mixed inside the bowl at one time.2. No matter what I'm intending to mix, I ALWAYS start at the "stir" speed setting and gradually increase THE speed in small increments. This allows ingredients inside the bowl to mix evenly, and uniformly. This also helps the wire whisk, flat-beater, or dough hook to efficiently work and mold around the ingredients inside the bowl.3. I NEVER adjust my speed setting beyond speed 2 when making bread dough. This is one of the biggest mistakes anyone can make. If you don't remember anything else in my review, remember NOT to go past speed 2 when making bread dough. Your machine will overheat unnecessarily and this over time will aid in its early destruction.4. Whenever possible and as warranted, I mix ingredients that are already at room temperature. Softened butter instead of frozen butter, for example. (Of course, if you are making whipped cream, the heavy cream should be ice cold, not warm) When my baked goods call for almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc., I roughly chop them rather than adding them as whole pieces into my batter. Or better yet, I usually fold them into the batter by hand using a heavy duty spatula. Remember that your own hands are tools as well, use them when it makes sense. Yes, your mixer is meant to do the heavy work for you, but help it along the way.5. I wash my mixing bowl and flat-beater/wire whisk/dough hook immediately after use; I also ALWAYS clean the surface of my machine with a soapy sponge, making sure to clean all dried or caked-on ingredients that splashed out onto the outside surface of the machine. I also always check all moving parts of the mixer, ensuring no ingredients have splattered into small grooves. Since my particular artisan mixer is textured grey (rather than the standard smooth gloss) and is a tilt head, I also check to ensure nothing is rusting, and I make extra certain that no parts are loose.With all the precautions I've taken over years, I'm still using all the original attachments that my mixer came with, including the original splash guard, plus, I thankfully have not had to replace any parts. Not even the delicate spring that is wrapped around the flat-beater prong. Years ago, I had thought of reviewing my mixer after using if for three years, then after five years, but reviewing it now after eleven years seems much more relevant and a better testament to it's quality. I can't vouch for other people's machines but mine is still top notch. No complaints and I absolutely love it. Money well invested that has paid for itself ten times over. Recommended.