My trusty Hoover finally died and I need advice on what brand and model to buy
I am not looking to buy one of those $1500. models just a good moderatly priced upright rug cleaner that has a hose feature.

I've had good luck with a Hoover 105,a solid,well engineered machine made about 1919-1920.

Believe it or not such parts as bags, belts and beater brushes are still available.

I fill the oil cups every six months.

My wife seems to be afraid of it for some unknown reason and purchased a new,plastic horror that must weigh 3 times as much as my old one,sloppy build quality,cheap materials and very unmaneuverable,I call it the "Hummer".

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Carleton
My question for you is "Did you buy it new"?
Seriously have you ever tried a new machine to compare? I think you would be suprised.

My friend's Grandmother bought it new>

All modern beater brush vacuums are simply refinements of the old Hoover who originated the system in 1908.

Everything turns on ball or roller bearings unlike most of today's "modren" vacuums. Most use nylon bushings although I have seen sintered bronze in some high-end models.

Additionally there is no hepa filter to choke off the air flow,which necessitates a stronger motor for those models so equipped.

It is also very quiet due to the fine manufacturing tolerances of the motor,the only sounds being a mild rush of air with the barely perceptible whirring of the beater brush, hasn't damaged a Sarouk or Kerman in the 30 years I've been using it,but then that's just me,I surround myself with well made things.

http://www.137.com/museum/hoover.htmhttp://www.137.com/museum/hoover.htm

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Have you SEEN and TRIED a new one?

If quality concerns you get a decent used Kirby 511-512.

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I also recommend looking for a decent used quality vacuum. You may be surprised on how inexpensive they can be. I own an Electrolux central vacuum which I installed myself.

Kirby, Rainbow, and Electrolux are several of the quality vacuums out there.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Voila! http://home.listings.ebay.com/Upright_Kirby_W0QQfromZR4QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ43525QQsocmdZListingItemList

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Hey, this is cool!!

My mom bought the Hoover “Constellation” 1952 model in the 60's and it's what we used to vacuum with in my family until the mid 70's or so. Never thought I'd see another one in my life!

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

I agree with getting a good used Kirby. Get the kind that has the larger beaterbrush head...it has a more powerfull motor than the narrower ones from the sixties. Alot of times you can buy the accessory kit/box at yard sales or thrift shops. The floor polisher attachement does a decent job cleaning up groady linoleum too. They also have a nice long cord.
I remember them coming with some sort of rebuilding guarantee....$125 to rebuild them at the factory. (you get new plastic attachements, motor brushes, and what-not, plus they supposedly shine up the aluminum case for you)
Rainbows are ok....but if you over fill the waterbucket, you're sol.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I have an Electrolux that my mother gave me about 25 years ago. She bought a new one then. A few years ago, my wife bought an upright Hoover plastic one and it's so loud, I need to use hearing protectors. Since we're splitting up, she's keeping the Hoover.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

My family has had nothing bu Rainbow vacuums for as long as I can remember... they are simply AMAZING!

Very versatile- u can vacuum, reverse and blow air out of the hose- (handy for clearing patios etc. of leaves etc.), shampoo carpets (with carpet shampooing attachment & hose), and it purifies and freshens the air as it is used!

Uses a water basin that u fill up, and as u vacuum or clean, the dirt u pick up collects in the basin with the water. Its amazing (and VERY satisfying) to start with a basin full of clear water, vacuum, and end with a basin that has turned into a basin of mud! Youd be amazed at how dirty your carpets are, even if they look "clean"!

Rainbows get an A++++++ in my book.

http://www.rainbowsystem.com/eng/

An authhorized dealer should be able to locate a "pre-owned" rainbow for you.

Happy vacuuming!!!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Rainbows used to be Rexairs and were sold door to door. My folks bought oine in the 50s. Actually it worked well, but was aPITA dealing with the water all the time. I now have an upright Royal. It was about $400. The vacuum store said to change the drive belt every 6 months. I thought he was yankin my chain until I did the first belt. I couldn't believe how much it stretched. I'm happy with the Royal.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

We have 2 dogs and need to vacuum daily and have found that the bagless Hoovers suck in a good way. They wear out in a year but if you buy the extended warranty at BB just return it.

CR top ten

Hoover WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6439-900
WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6436-900 $300,
WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6437-900 $300
$300 • • • • 21
2 Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870 CR Best Buy
Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4874 $160
$140 • • • 21
3 Kenmore (Sears) Progressive with Direct Drive 34922
Progressive with Direct Drive 34923 $300
$300 • • • • 20
4 Hoover WindTunnel Bagless U5753-900
WindTunnel Bagless U5725-900 $180,
WindTunnel Bagless U5763-900 $200,
WindTunnel Bagless U5765-900 $200,
WindTunnel Bagless U5767-900 $200,
WindTunnel Bagless U5769-900 $200
$200 • • 21
5 Kirby The Ultimate G Diamond G7D $1330 • • • • 24
6 Hoover WindTunnel U6630-900
WindTunnel U6616-900 $300,
WindTunnel U6632-900 $300,
WindTunnel U6660-900 $300
$300 • • • 24
7 Kenmore (Sears) 33289
33078 $80,
33079 $80,
33189 $130
$130 • • • 16
8 Hoover Savvy U8145-900
Savvy U8135-900 $250
$280 • • • • 21
9 Hoover Tempo U5146-900
Tempo U5144-900 $80
$80 • • 16
10 Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 35622
Progressive 35623 $190
$190

My wife's had so many different vauums..
Anyway, bought a very much like-new Kirby G6 at a pawn shop for $225. Has what's called HEPA filters and works great. I will even vacuum now.
So, don't buy a good one, or you'll be caught vacumming.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport