We have a Cuisinart circa late 80's and it still works just fine :-)

Ditto Cuisinart. Perhaps you just need new blades?

I had an old, original Cuisinart (made by Robot Coupe) circa 1972 for years. When we went overseas I gave it to my sister and I think she sold it in a tag sale. (GRRRRR) So when we returned I bought this Cuisinart Professional 14 and I've never liked it as well. The lexan work bowls and tops don't fit as smoothly and have had to be replaced due to cracks. Those machines are all made in China now and I believe the KitchenAid is also made in China where it was made in France (undoubtedly by Robot Coupe) until a few years ago.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had a Magimix or Robot Coupe to compare.

Got my Cuisinart in 1976 and it's still poetry in motion.

I've had three Cuisinarts (moved up in size/style) and a KitchenAid. I had heard really good things about the latter, which is why I got it, but, for me anyway, the Cuisinart was just superior (hated the KitchenAid bowl system and the feed tube was pretty small) and I replaced the still-working KitchenAid with the latest, top-of-the-line Cuisinart a few years back (2003). I'm still happy with it today, though I have had to replace the pusher twice, as the lock mechanism (plastic holds a metal stem), which by design has to be pulled in and out forcefully and frequently, tends to break after lots of use.

-Susan W.

I just replaced my 1980 Cuisinart with a new 14 cup unit. My main reason was that I was able to use my set of 10 additional blades from my first one. It seems to work fine, but is certainly a lot more work to clean with all the extra pieces for the top. I haven't used it that much yet and am not sure.

I was apprehensive because I heard they went downhill and almost bought something else. Then I saw they brought back the 14 cup unit in the original design with the two front switches. I bought it at Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20% coupon, which also helped make the decision easier.

Do the front switch models perform better/last longer than the newer styled ones? I'd like to know in case I ever need to replace mine (front switch 11 cup capacity). I'd be thrilled to be able to continue using the disks etc that I'd gotten for the old one, too! Only thing I regret is not getting the 14 cup one when I got the one I have, but 99 times out of a hundred, it holds enough anyway.

If your cusinsart is 'slowing down', definetly look at replacing the blades. At work, we have a cuisinart and have replace the standard cutting blade about twice a year. Lots of places on the Web sell replcement blades and other parts.

Ours is still going strong (knock on wood!) but it had been dropped a number of years ago (not from a great height or anything, but even so) and one of the switches is slightly askew. It continued and continues to work perfectly fine (again knock on wood), but if/when it decides to go (I hope never!), I'd like to have an idea which style would be my best bet for its replacement.

I really don't know if the front switch models perform better, but I find them more ergonomic. Since a food processor requires constant and careful attention during its operation, I don't think I can keep glancing down at the keypad to press the right button. The models with the two large switches are very intuitive as well as being easy to use.

Oh I wish I'd been reading more regularly. The plastic stem on my 1980s Cuisnart 11 cup snapped last week and so I threw out all my old blades assuming I'd have to buy a new machine. Gnash, gnash, nuccia. I probably could have gotten just the stem replaced or at least gotten a cheap new made in china machine and used my old attachments. I still can use the metal blade (replaced once over the years) and my fourth iteration of the bowl. But here's my dilemma:

I have written paeons of praise on this forum about the cusinart. I even had a dedicated plug made for it next to my sink. At first I was tempted by the really top of the line huge professional machine -- more than a KA mixer. Then I stepped back. I find I am using a FP less and less. More hand chopping, more Waring blender, more Braun immersion blender. We're also eating more whole roast vegetables, less grated cheese --you know the old folks drill. Maybe I don't need a big fancy cuisinart, especially at my age.

What do I need to grate or slice the occasional pound of cheese or cabbage for slaw?

My friend has a newish Cuisinart which is too hard to open for her to use comfortably. Is there any other brand that works well and doesn't take muscles to operate?