My first love was my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer (a classic, no longer made. my mom kept it when I moved out and bought me an Artisan!). I can't say much for the Cuisinart, but my KA is the best thing with which to make sliced bread

Check around and see if there are any sales or special deals going on for the KA. When I got my black Artisan, there was a deal that if you bought one between x and y dates, you got a free meat grinder or ice cream maker attachment (this was through Kitchen-Aid). I got the meat grinder, but that was an awesome $70 deal! And I got my mixer on a great sale from Kohl's.

Things I Love About My KA: it is sturdy; it is reliable; it's never pooped out on me even when I work it to death making 6 dozen dinner rolls and god knows what else for Thanksgiving; it is stylish in my kitchen; it loves me back.