We got our KitchenAid 6qt Pro model through Amazon last year. They did a flash deal at $250 and there was a $50 rebate back then too! That was actually a deal they did a couple days after Christmas so you might want to keep an eye out for it again.

If you're shopping eBay, keep in mind that a few years ago KitchenAid had a problem with a plastic gear housing wearing out. That part is made out of metal now. They will extend the warranty of your unit with the plastic part and fix it, but I don't know if they honor that if you buy it used. It would be worth researching before buying used.

Wow! what a good deal. I also have an older kitchen aid. Wish I had a bigger bowl. I had an old Oster Deluxe for years that I passed down to my DD. I found a great deal at a garage sale on a KA that I couldn't pass up. So I was looking at a Bosch for the grain Mill for bread but I think I will just buy the attachment for mine. It was a toss up but I haven't purchased it yet. I wonder if anyone had the attachment and if it ground flour into pastry flour? I still am up in the air on that one. So, this was my delima on the whole thing. Other than that, I was for the KA because my neighbor had a Bosch and it took alot of abuse and she uses it all the time and it is very old. However the lid was plastic and cracked. I found that was the factor that gave me questions on whether or not I should go that route or just stay with my KA. So, if that helps ..... LOL   I would definately go with the biggest bowl!

Thank you ladies for having this discussion because I was looking into a mixer too. :-)  And special thank you to blue J for your posts.  That Amazon one is a good deal for a pro series 6 quart and there is also a $50 rebate on the KA website so makes it even better! 

Thanks jacqleene - actually that's helpful too, especially having some ideas of where to shop around for them.

Blessings,
Jen

Update!  I just found the Cinnamon colored KA on Amazon for $279.99 w/ free shipping.  It says that it is an Amazon exclusive.

There are some things to consider depending upon the model you want.  Bosch and Kitchen Aid w/ the 6 quart bowl will both make 6 loaves of bread at a time and do a good job.  However, unless you are getting a used Bosch on ebay or elsewhere, know that the new Bosch is 880 W while the KA is 550 - incidentally that is the same as the older Bosch machines. Both are well made, both will last if not abused (and that is open to interpretation as they will both hold up to quite a beating).

My family has used both of these machines with good success - my mother has a 31 year old KA (5 qt. version) that she still loves and has never any issues.  We bought a 35 year old Bosch 10 years ago (so it's 45 years old now).  Now, I am in the market a the moment to replace the machine. DH is an electrician and a generally handy guy, took it apart and mentioned that if the bearings were still good, the bushing on the motor would last for several more years.

The two brands already mentioned are the only two I am considering.  I am leaning toward the Bosch only because that is what I last had. BUT if I can't find what I want on ebay as I am without a mixer at a time of the year when that really isn't cool, I will either order a KA or find a 6 quart version in the stores this weekend so that our family can make the cookies and breads that are part our holiday traditions.  Do note that a new 6 quart KA will cost anywhere from $300 - $400.  The Pearl Metalic 6 qt KA on Amazon is $299.99 and has free shipping - at least, I do as I am a Prime member.  The lowest price of other colors that I have found is either Amazon or ebay.  The only place that I have found a deal on brand new Bosch mixers is on ebay, though there are fewer available since we are so close to Christmas.  However, Pleasant Hill Grains has a good deal.  I just haven't been able to hit on a couple of the other sites I trust.  I will update after I've had a moment or two to check on it.

Hope that breakdown helps you a bit - it may be way more than you ever wanted to know about either of these two mixers.

Happy Baking.

~jacqleene

I have a Kitchen Aid too.  Mine is the basic model and have had it for 16 years now.  I love it and use it all the time.  My mom has the same model that she got when my sister was born, so it's now 33 years old and she uses it regularly too.  My only qualm about my mixer, is I wish it had a bigger bowl.  I didn't know when I got it that I'd have four children, so knowing what I know now, I would have gotten a bigger one, but nonetheless it works wonderfully for me and I won't buy another one since this one works perfectly fine.

Thanks for the thoughts, all. I will let hubby read through them all and see what he thinks.

Jen

I, too, have a Kitchen Aid Pro.  (Makes great butter out of the cream we get from our Jersey cows.)    My oldest son dropped the bowl last year which has given it a bit of a wobble but it still works great after many years.  I also have an Electrolux Assistant that I LOVE for my huge batches of bread.

I too love my Kitchen Aid, it handles everything we throw at it and then some - mine is one of those with a more powerful motor, and I have had no problems with it. I love the attachments that you can buy for it as well. I have a Kitchen Air blender and a mixer and am delighted with them. Linda

Here's another Kitchen Aid favorite.  I have one of the higher models as well.  The top tips up and the bowl is bigger.  I love the pasta maker and the grinder we use to make applesauce in the fall.  We use our kitchen aid at least once a day.  It's a must have for our kitchen! 

I have an Artisan series Kitchen Aid in Apple Green, and I can't imagine my kitchen without it! I use it daily, some days multiple times. I also have the grain mill attachment and love that as well. I hope to add more attachments in the future. My bowl holds enough dough to knead two loaves at once. It is most definitely my favorite kitchen tool, and I highly recommend it! I bought mine off Amazon for $199.

I just bought the top of the line Kitchen Aid from QVC network. They ran an awesome special price this year. They might still have the same price if you check their website.

We have a cuisinart and we use it to make bread dough two to three times a week, two loaves at a time. It seems to work well. I also use it to help me make my special cakes and it works fine. Though, it dose seem to not get to the sides as well as a hand mixer would allow me to do. I usually need to scrape the side multiple times for batters for cakes, muffins, etc. maybe that is with most stand mixers? The only attachment we have right now is a food processor. It is used but it is smaller than I would like and it makes a HORRIBLE noise.
Don't know if that helps you at all. Have fun picking out your mixer!

-Miranda

There's a big difference in models in the KitchenAid line. When you move up to the Professional 600 series you get a larger 6qt bowl, a much more powerful motor (575 watts vs 450 or 325 for the next models down), and a sturdier gear train. I think this is a huge factor for the longevity of the mixer and the ability to easily handle large amouts of dough.

We use ours at least weekly for dough. We didn't bother with anything like the slicing attachment since we already have a food processor that does that so well. However, we did get the grinder attachment and I love to use it to make falafels. If you do get the grinder it's well worth it to get the larger food tray too.

We picked up our pro model for a great price last year on one of Amazon.com's flash deals about a week before Christmas. I see they've occassionally be running deals on them again this year so that may be a place to watch.

The higher end KitchenAid units and the Bosh units are both good solid products. It would be hard to go wrong with either.