Can anyone recommend a blender for me and do I need a food mixer?

[TougherThanTheRest]

My lovely Breville mixer has just sprung a leak, I am gutted as it was a wedding present and has made me many delicious soups and smoothies over the years. I am going to contact them and see if I can get a replacement part but failing that can anyone recommend a new one? I can't afford to spend a lot but would like something sturdy that will last me a while (and preferably easily available on the high street as I may ask for it as a Christmas present and my Mum doesn't do online shopping yet!)

I'd also like to invest in a stand mixer although I have a fairly decent food processor already so am not sure whether I need one? Like most people on here I lust after a Kitchenaid because they are so beautiful but am sure for what I need I could get by with something much uglier less expensive. What do other people use theirs for and any recommendations for a decent but not too pricey purchase?

I have a Waring blender and a Magimix food processor - the Magimix can also be used as a blender if you get the right one and they seem to go on forever.

I love my kitchen aid and it has lasted years and years, I got it when it was on special offer. I do have a philips smoothie maker that will blend soups as well , that seems to work ok, but is a hassle to clean out. I also have a hand held whisk that has a blender attachement for soups and a small container to blitz things in and that is a braun. It is great . Oh dear I seem to have a lot of equipment in my kitchen but all of it gets used :)

I have a Magimix (very old now) that I regularly use to mix cake batter and pastry for tarts as well as shred veg, make breadcrumbs, etc.

I also have a stick blender to liquidise small amount sof fruit and whisk cream and eggs.

Although I lust after a food mixer, in truth I would hardly use it as I make my bread dough by hand and in a breadmaker.

That's what I'm thinking MoreBeta - with a blender (when I get it fixed), a food processor, a breadmaker and a hand mixer, do I really need a stand mixer as well? I think if I can find a nice looking, decent one that's not too expensive I can justify it but a Kitchenaid probably needs to stay in fantasy land where it belongs for now!

I've got a stick blender and a larger Magimix, I don't feel the need for anything else.

I have a feeling that many of those shiney Kitchenaid mixers will stay in the back of cupboards.... but maybe I could justify one if the Magimix were to wear out unexpectedly.