Vacuums aren't a one-size fits all appliance.  For a good match, you need to say more about how you will be using the machine and what's important to you.  The type of flooring in your home, your budget, and any desirable features you might like will help to narrow down your choices.  Do you prefer an upright or a canister?   Do you clean with attachments?  Is filtration important - i.e. do you have allergies to dust or dust mites?  Do you need a light weight vacuum?  Some vacuums that are optimal for cut pile carpeting, don't work as well on berber.  
 

Quote from bonelady   on 04/10/06 at 11:43am:

 
 
If you check out Consumer Reports, you'll find that Kirby has the best reliability for uprights.  Miele and Kenmore have the highest reliability for bagged canisters.  I believe Rainbow had the best reliability for canisters.  Note that many brands were excluded from the ratings.
 
Sebo uprights, made in Germany, tend to be very reliable.    They are also available as commercial models rebadged as Windsors.  They are very quiet, have excellent filtration, and have easy to change bags.   Unfortunately, they are on the expensive side.  They have a lifetime cogged belt.  
 
Sears has a pretty good selection of vacuums in the under $500 range.  In fact, Kenmore models did really well in the last round of Consumer Reports testing.  Sears should allow you to test drive vacuums.  If you take one home and don't like it, Sears has a pretty generous return policy.  
 
There are some excellent brands that are vac store only.  Brands like Miele, Lindhaus, Sebo, Riccar, Simplicity, Lux, Premium Panasonics, and so forth will only be available at vac stores.  
 
Although you have been very dissatisfied with bagless vacuums, you should keep an open mind.   Some don't have the awful pleated filters.  For example, the Rainbow canister uses water to capture dirt, and is easy to empty.  Although Dyson's may not meet your reliability requirements (reliability has not been established in the US), they are fairly hygenic as far as bagless goes.    
 

Quote from dualcyclone   on 04/10/06 at 4:38pm:

 
Dual,
 
You have already told us that you plan to make a fortune repairing Dysons in your retirement, and that you have stocked up on replacement parts.  So your comments seem a little bit disingenuous.  Do you plan to provide free belt and clutch changes for everyone who needs one?   Most bags aren't all that expensive.  I have no problem paying a $1-$2 dollars a month for the convenience of bags.   I also buy garbage bags for my trash cans.  
 
Even with a bagless, you still have to dispose of the dirt.    I really don't mind buying bags for my vacuums.  I don't see much loss of suction in my home.    I would rather buy bags and have a nice sanitary dirt disposal than to have to deal  with the dirt released with any bagless vacuum - including Dyson.   When you empty your Dyson, all of the tiny little dust mites, the dead skin cells, the dust mite poop, pet dander, and other crap is released.  These light particles do escape in a nice little dust cloud when you empty your Dyson.

Quote from tiger21   on 04/10/06 at 5:42pm:

Another prime example of misuse and abuse by the owner. How did you "unstop" the filter? Did you replace it or clean it? Which filter was the problem?
 
We know the prefilter only requires periodic cleaning about once every six months. If the filter requires cleaning more often the user is either over filling the dirt receptacle [most likely] or ingesting ultra fine particulates such as dry wall dust, talc, etc.  
 
If the vacuum is used correctly, you won't see these problems, including premature clutch/belt failures. Any brand vacuum on this planet operated in the wrong hands is going to prematurely fail.

I would also say that going to a indipendant vac shop is the best way to see what good quality vacuums are available.  Like you, I also prefer bag vacuums to bagless, they are much cleaner to empty and have less maintenence.  
 
Some brands that I have been impressed with are Royal, Simplicity, Riccar, Miele, Lindhaus, and Sebo.  These brands tend to be very reliable, and clean well.