I got my KA in 1983. I don't make bread dough, so it has done everything I've ever wanted with only one exception. Because it has the tilt head instead of the lift head, I can't put an ice jacket on it.
If you need an ice jacket for baking, or you make a lot of dough, get the 600 Pro. Otherwise, the tilt head is easier to maneuver, and will probably last a lifetime. Just make sure it's the Artisan, not the classic. Big difference in power.
SilverSage;
I have the K-5SSWH, which can use the Water Jacket, and I also have the Water Jacket as well. The newer model KSM-500 which very identical to the K-5SSWH, can also use the same Water Jacket.
The K-45SS (now the Classic) has been in use in my kitchen for 23 years, and in all that time, I've only had toy replace the 5 rubber feet. The machine never once batted an eyelash.
The motors inside the K-5SSWH , KSM-500 and the Artisan are all the same wattage power - 325 watts. Either one of these are great and very exceptional.
But if money is not an object and you want a machine that has a much larger bowl, then you might want to consider the Electrolux Assistant DLX-2000. Its cost is a bit over $500.00, but it has an 8-qt stainless steel mixer bowl and it can accommodate bread dough recipes containing as much as a 5-lb bag of flour.
I've recently used it to make enough bourbon sweet potato pie filling for 6 pies! Can't do that with my KA mixer unless I use them both. But I'm happy with all three mixers. They are real troopers.
