GE JVM1740, stainless steel 1.7 cu.ft. 1000w 300CFM, pretty generic spec except a real metal / stainless steel handle (looks nice), manufactured in 2008 and installed in 2009 I think.
The ventilation motor is getting pretty noisy (worn bearing, but still works) after about 8 years of use. Replacement motor-fan is $150-180 new. I can find a used one on ebay for about $20-50 but being used I'd expect it to only last about 1/2 as long. If it can work for another 5 years I'd say I got my money back.
A replacement stainless over the hood range of similar spec would cost about $180-300. Ideally I would like to have stainless (not black stainless) again so it matches the rest of the kitchen, if I absolutely have to I can go black (but prefer to pay a little more instead). I really dislike those grey plastic handle on many stainless microwave because it makes it look much worse. If I buy, I'll be doing the install and hopefully the holes line up so I can install it easily. Last time I had to drill new holes when up grading microwave and returned an LG because the holes are outside the 12" deep cabinets above. I don't know what were they thinking when they make that spec.
What would you do it if you were me?
The ventilation motor is getting pretty noisy (worn bearing, but still works) after about 8 years of use. Replacement motor-fan is $150-180 new. I can find a used one on ebay for about $20-50 but being used I'd expect it to only last about 1/2 as long. If it can work for another 5 years I'd say I got my money back.
A replacement stainless over the hood range of similar spec would cost about $180-300. Ideally I would like to have stainless (not black stainless) again so it matches the rest of the kitchen, if I absolutely have to I can go black (but prefer to pay a little more instead). I really dislike those grey plastic handle on many stainless microwave because it makes it look much worse. If I buy, I'll be doing the install and hopefully the holes line up so I can install it easily. Last time I had to drill new holes when up grading microwave and returned an LG because the holes are outside the 12" deep cabinets above. I don't know what were they thinking when they make that spec.
What would you do it if you were me?