Brilliant machines! I had my original one for 15 years, I think it must have died of exhaustion, last year. I now have the newest model with the integral container for adding fruit etc.. I have had no problems with it, although it it is more plasticky than my original one. Providing you stick to the recipes you won't go wrong.Remember you will make pure bread with no funny additives. I find I can't eat supermarket bread nowadays.
You can make cakes and jam, as well as every kind of bread you can think of. If you can buy packet bread mixes on offer, they are brilliant. Just check they don't have loads of additives. I wouldn't be without my Panasonic breadmaker.