This model seems to have an issue with the start lever. On our old unit the start lever became difficult to engage only after a few months. This new model seem to have already started the say thing. The unit works well though once the start lever engages.
Handles artisan slices of bread, bagels, small pieces - with ease. We like the classic feel to its design and most important - we are very happy with our purchase.
I stayed in a condo on vacation that had this toaster. It toasted the bread so nicely I bought one when I got home. You can choose what you want to toast to get that perfect golden brown.
I had a 4-slice toaster, also Cuisinart, that was old and beat up and took up too much space. Since I am single, a 2-slice version was perfect. This one has a few more features than the old one. It also is smaller which is ideal for storage. It is so lightweight that it feels "cheap." All I can really say is that it gets the job done, the was a toaster should. But it is nothing special. And it does look a whole lot nicer than my old one which was a white plasticky outside that had become yellowed.