Would you buy a 2nd hand Mountain Buggy without ever having tried one out?

[cheerfulvicky]

All the shops within about 50 miles of us don't stock them (we're in Cornwall) but I'm really interested in a mountain buggy for our 1st born because so many of you rave about them! They seems great to me, and we've considered a LOT of buggies. We're currently tied on the M&P's Ultima and the Britax vigour from the ones we've actually tried.

Would you buy a Mountain Buggy on eBay/mumsnet, without ever having pushed one and tried it? How am I supposed to find one to test? Argh!

I was thinking if I bought it new and hated it, I could return it. But they are so pricey new and we can't really afford it. DP wants to try the Jane slalom pro as he is impressed that it has disk breaks Help?

[paddingtonbear1]

when my friend was a childminder, she bought a second hand mountain buggy off eBay. It was in great condition and really easy to push (and it was a double buggy!) If I had another dc I would definitely consider one.
Another friend ordered hers from America!

[DforDiva]

Jane Slalom vs Mountain buggy. Mmmm I cant decided as i love them both. Slalom probably slightly heavier, check that first.I have Mountain buggy urban after umpteen pushchairs and fukaboos. I sold my Slalom, as i promised to keep one, although dh loved it(disk brakes men seem like that) I recommend to buy from mumsnet, as it probably cheaper than ebay, unless its really bargain.

[Teaandcake]

Go for the Mountain Buggy, you will not be disappointed!

Don't touch the Jane. I really dislike them, v unreliable, loads of crappy plastic clips which break all the time, more 'so called' features which are poorly manufacured and just go wrong.

Sorry to go on. I've spouted endlessly on about how wonderful MBs are and how crap Janes are on MN so will shut up now

[Arabica]

I heart my Mountain Buggy. It's really robust and you can push with one finger. Raincover fits snugly and it's very easy to fold and remove wheels if you need to. However, they are quite bulky, so not brilliant if you're doing lots of bus travel.

[readytoswiggin]

I've just bought a 2nd hand double one from e-bay and am soooo chuffed with it. my 3.11 yr old loves pushing his sisters in it and he can just see over the hood! would recommend

[lljkk]

What is a mountain buggy?
I bought off ebay a M&P Sport03 -- is that a MTB?
Anyway, I had tried one in shop & scrutinised them heavily in school playgrnds.

Mine had a persistently wobbly front wheel -- a not uncommon problem with this model but no1 had told meeee...

dh engineered a solution, but was annoying.

[Arabica]

google 'mountain buggy' and you will see.

[accessorizequeen]

Are you anywhere near Truro as there's a stockist there according to the MB website? MB urban is absolutely fab and I love it, but it's not for everyone so I would try it out if you possibly can before buying. There might be a mumsnetter near you who has one, who knows?

Looking at the other two you've liked, was it the fact that they're forward or rear-facing because that's something you don't get in an MB. Really worth considering as new parents in particular like rear-facing buggies. Did you mean vigour 3 (3 wheeler) or 4 (like a bugaboo?).

[redrobin]

get a mountain buggy they are ace...i've had a single and a double, and i can't recommend them enough. easy to push,hardwearing (so a second hand one will be fine) and look great.go for it!

[Izzywhizzy]

My friend has a mountain buggy and she loves it. Her ds always looks pretty comfy in it.

[cazzybabs]

yes - i did and do i regret it.....no they are fab fab fab