I bought the 5 quart one a few years ago and love it. Right it is heavy - has its own beloved spot on the kitchen counter. I got the ice cream freezer for it - and there is a (I call it) half bowl accessory that I got from JC Penney catalog - only place I have ever seen it listed and it came with a beater that is half whisk and half beater. Being just hubby and I, I use that most of the time unless I am making bread. Took me a bit to learn to properly make bread and am still not good at it - I had a mixer that had TWO bread beater things and I think it did almost better. But this is a whole lot more powerful at 525 watts - or however they measure the power. Agree that at Christmas they do seem to be a big "sale" item. Good luck.
Marysewfun