To start off, I need to say this vacuum works great when it works. I don't even mind the motorized floor head not swiveling, as I compare it to a commercial upright for its power, and the uprights usually don't swivel. Cleaning the filter was a pain until I started using the sprayer on our sink, and got a second filter so I have one to use while the first one dries.

We use this vacuum twice a week in 1032 sq feet of hardwood floor, with 2 throw rugs, each about 8 x 10 feet. We've never abuse it, but we also don't baby it like a precious object either. We treat it exactly like my grandmother's 30 year old Hoover we got this to replace, thinking that if we got the best Hoover we could, it would last like that one.

The reasons for the low rating:

1. The plug between the telescoping wand and the hose started falling off the wand at about 12 and a half months (2 weeks after the warranty expired), now at 18 months old, is held in place with duct tape.

2. The mate of the plug above, in the handle, shifts around and makes it impossible to connect the two parts. You need a chopstick or something to re-align it every time you want to put it back together.

3. The hose split at the first coil after it comes out of the cannister, fortunately the wires didn't break, still works, repaired with duct tape.

4. The non-powered floor attachment split in three places where it attaches to the wand, now part fell off, needs duct tape to stay on every time I use it.

5. The cord no longer retracts all the way in, leaves 3-5 feet hanging out.

6. The sliding latch that allows the extension of the wand is falling apart. Still works, loose pieces sliding up and down the wand, not imparting a sense of lasting quality.

The cost to replace the broken parts is $174 plus tax ($110 for the hose unit, $50 for the wand, $14 for the floor attachment). To be fair, Hoover offered me half off on the parts if I feel like buying them in the next 30 days, but I don't feel like sending good money after bad. We paid about $250 for this unit originally, and now I've seen it for about the price of the replacement parts, but wouldn't buy this again.

I'm going to nurse it as long as I can with duct tape and bailing wire if I have to, and when it finally dies get a Miele. I wanted to get the Miele in the first place, but balked at the slightly higher price at the time. To fix this one, I'd end up paying for a Miele, but still be driving a Hoover. No thanks. Next time, I'll get the best one available, regardless of price. It'd be cheaper in the long run.

In looking up Hoover customer assistance online, I found out Hoover is owned by Maytag. Should have known. Don't get me started on our last Maytag dishwasher. Suffice it to say, I'll never buy anything made by any subsidiary of Maytag ever again.

Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 249.99