Due to the extra time on my hands I had to make a purchase that I've been mulling over for years.
My research ended up bringing me to the basic question of how much is too much for a new tabletop mixer? The price point of what look like the same Kitchen Aid was quite wide. Why? The simple answer is the motor. The units are available in many models with a large choice of drive motors. The lower price point were using lower wattage AC motors. Then to make a more powerful one they would use higher watt AC motors. Those would not be very efficient. Using a high watt AC motor will draw a lot more current and make more heat the harder it works. This may effect the life of the unit.
I would be using mine mostly for pizza and bread dough. This will definitely be kneading endurance.(pardon the pun).
All my concerns point me to Kitchenaid's 6500 line. These units use a DC powered motor that has more torque but uses less current to do it. Just 325 watts to get better torque and cooler running motor. That's less ware and tare every use.
Well that was my answer. I've been using my model 6500 almost every day since it arrived. I love it! One other advantage of this series is the glass bowl that comes standard. Nice and heavy to help keep mixer steady and also you can see what is being done.
The "heavy" part of my review is in reference to the steady action of this mixer as it works away on my counter. I highly recommend you spend the extra to get the 6500 series. There is a difference.