canon mx310 -cheap but with problems

The multifunction MX310 is slow to print, color copies are very washed out, the fax functionality is complicated, and the setup menu is complex.
1)The printer is slow to start printing,  it is slower than my old HP multifunction 6110 inkjet, and much slower than my laser printers.
2) Worse the color is very weak and washed out compared with my HP LaserJet or the multifunction inkjet.   I have aligned and cleaned it several times.
3) Worst of all, the "receive fax" functionality is complex to setup and use.   It may work OK if used as a standalone fax, but used with an answering machine / phone connected there are tradeoffs.  The manual is poorly worded on fax setup. 
You can eventually get it setup, but if you answer an incomming fax on the phone, you must press 25 to get the Canon to pick up the fax.  HP has no such problems.  My old multifunction HP listens to all activity on the phone lines for a fax tone.  If it hears one, it responds with the fax receive tone and gets the fax painlessly.
4) In addition, you cann't setup the MX310 from your PC, you must push its buttons to work thru multi level abstract menus.  
I am going to keep this machine, but think it could be much better