I have probably the best advice to help you with your choice on mixers - or not.
My husband bought me an original Artisan (not called that at the time) in the mid 90's. I used it all the time, bought attachments along the way etc.
About 3 years ago he bought me the high power model and I loved it until I tried to grind some hamburger like I did with my old one and seized the motor.
When I sent it in to be repaired - to the tune of $300 - the technician told me I should have kept my old one because it had all metal gears. Mine had hard plastic - he assured me he replaced them with all metal parts because I clearly used mine and didn't have it sit on my counter top like a decoration as most people do.
He said that when whirlpool bought kitchenaid a lot changed including sending the machines to be built overseas and with cheaper parts.
My advice would to be buy an older one if you can.
I love mine tho - still use it all the time and according to the 'new and improved' directions I was given by the man who fixed it. I wasn't using the correct speeds for what I was doing etc.
Buy the Artisan if you plan on making bread recipes using less than 6 cups of flour. I does just fine. If you plan on more - buy the bigger wattage - that mixer holds up to 12 cups of flour.
It does bread dough very well as well as batter for cakes and cookies as well as mashed potatoes.
I have the meat grinder attachment, the pasta attachment, the sausage stuffer, and the grater.
If this one goes out - I'm buying a professional Hobart mixer.