I have already given my opinion on the Dyson. Iwouldnt be without it. My experience of Kirbys are twofold _ one from friends who own one, and secondly from the dreaded Kirby salesman. Fortunatley I managed to resist, but its a bit like time share once theyre in your home.
A few years ago owning a Kirby was a bit like having Rolls on your drive. It was elitist. In practice Kirby salesmen have become desperate. My salesman like others insisted on hoovering the mattress on my childs bed. They play on making you feel that your house is crawling and definately unclean. The reality is that the newspapers are full of unwanted Kirby cleaners. While that is certainly a sign that they are built to last its also a sign that they are an expensive white elephant. The biggest critcism from friends who have owned one is that they are extremely heavy.
The Dyson on the other hand picks up equally well, and while it does not do the other tasks the Kirby boasts in practice it is rare that you would use your Kirby for anything more than a vacuum cleaner.
Without a doubt the Dyson has plastic parts which would mean youll rarely see anyone trying to sell an antique Dyson, but what the heck , you can buy yourself a new one 7 times over for the price of a Kirby.
Dont be Kirbied - stick with Dyson and svae yourself a fortune!!