> The attachments aren't really worth it either. They're horribly expensive if you don't buy it on sale or as part of a bigger package and now you're locked in with your machine. For things like meat grinding, I would much rather get a dedicated all steel grinder.
Sure, dedicated tools are superior, however each of the attachments has significantly less marginal space cost they a dedicated powered tool that would replace it, because the motor is shared (as, often, are other parts between attachments, e.g., there are a number of attachments for the grinder attachment.) If you aren't doing heavy volume use on any one attachment, and you don't have a gargantuan kitchen (or even if you are, but you have a small kitchen), space efficiency can be quite compelling.
Until your motor unit craps out, and then it turns out that particular system isn't produced anymore, so you have to throw out all your attachments too.
KitchenAid has an all attachments fit all mixers guarantee. Combined with the company being pretty old and not looking like it's going anywhere, that's a huge part of the appeal of the brand. Being fairly confident the scenario you're proposing wont be an issue.
Also the parts are pretty universal too. We got one as a wedding present. I use it at least once a week and my wife makes bread dough in it. After about 13 years of hard use we stripped a nylon gear (designed to protect the rest of the unit). The replacement gear was available on amazon for a few bucks. That was a few years ago.
Sure, dedicated tools are superior, however each of the attachments has significantly less marginal space cost they a dedicated powered tool that would replace it, because the motor is shared (as, often, are other parts between attachments, e.g., there are a number of attachments for the grinder attachment.) If you aren't doing heavy volume use on any one attachment, and you don't have a gargantuan kitchen (or even if you are, but you have a small kitchen), space efficiency can be quite compelling.