I have had my Dyson for about seven years and I love it. I purchased a special edition grey colored one from Sears. It is actually the purple one which they used to call "the animal", and the only thing that made it special was that it came with attachments like the turbo attachment for vaccuming carpeted stairs, etc. I too find the hose cumbersome and not easy to use when trying to vaccum furniture and drapes with the attachments. Also, the cord is very long which at times can get in your way, but because it works great on pet hair I can live with these little aggravations. I have one beagle and they shedd a lot! It is amazing how much hair I pick up in the house. I use it to vaccum my rugs and hard wood floors.