I can't believe in a 6 yr period I've gone thru 4 "Mini-Mate"s b/c they keep breaking down.  I've got electric & turbo brushes to clean the cars & upholstery & they dont work so well after many uses (lasts to a yr).  Are they REALLY worth buying cuz I know they clean uphostery & vehicle int. very well but last for short time.

I would have to wonder what you are cleaning up and what brand(s) of mini turbo/electric nozzles you are purchasing.  Lasting only a year is not good.
 
I really do not care for the cheaper mini turbo attachments under such names as Eureka, DD, HOOVER, because there is not much to them.  I have used and continue to use the Rug Rat mini turbo attachment.  I purchased this in the late 80's and this thing is still going strong, even after cleaning out vehicles and the weekly furniture vacuuming.  I was first introduced to this attachment when Kirby used it under their name and colors of the Kirby Heritage.
 
The Rug Rat does a great job.  It has better bristles compared to many of the cheap mini turbo nozzles out there.  You would have found the RR under other names such as Simplicity, Riccar, Beam, etc.  This nozzle will cost alot more than the $20 Eureka nozzle, but it is worth it.
 
Everyone who has one, should make sure that they take care to maintain their mini nozzle.  Check the turbine of the turbo nozzle.  Also check the brushroll and the ends.  Remove any hair that might lodge itself.

I've actually had good luck with the Lux Sidekick units. I also modified one of them to fit on my Bosch Premium. The only down side is the noise from the squeaking belt.

Quote from vacuuman on 08/21/06 at 8:35pm:

 
This all depends upon the mini nozzle.  The Rug Rat is built just as well as mini power nozzles.  I will say it again, I have had my RR since the late 80's.  Not every brand has a mini power nozzle.  Hook up a good quality mini turbo attachment to a strong vacuum and watch the nozzle go to town.  You could not tell that it was turbo and not electric.

Quote from johncainltd on 08/22/06 at 8:59am:

 
I do believe that I have addressed the points mentioned by original poster.  
 
I do not believe that we should toss something, because it "looks" like it came from a different era. BTW, the RR design is actually older than the late 80's.  If it works, keep it.  Look at different products on the market today.  Eureka's Sanitaire uprights "fan-first" design has been around for years.  It is a great design, that does a great job of cleaning carpeting.  There is no reason to get rid of it.  There are still people who will buy it.  Eureka has even been using it under their own nameplate.  Do not chuck it, or put it down, because it is an older design.
 
Not all vacuum cleaners have a mini power nozzle.  There is no reason to stay away from the purchase of a vacuum cleaner, because it does not have a mini power nozzle.