City Driver Pram System v Silvercross Linear Sleepover

[WinterLover]

My DP loves the City Driver system mainly due to the colours you can get and the value for money. Ive been reading reviews from other mums but they are all from 2009/2010 so wondered if any of you had bought it/considered it and if so what are your views on it

I love the Silvercross Sleepover system mainly because you can clip the car seat to the base whereas the City Driver you put the car seat onto the pushchair seat.

We mainly need:

• Pram
  
• Pushchair (Forward and Parent Facing)
  
• Sturdy as it will be going off road / uneven ground a lot
  
• Not gender specific
  
• Can be a travel system although only for short periods of time (Ie running into tescos/shops) will mainly be used as pram.
  
• Suitable to sleep in as we visit parents a lot.
  
• Limited budget but can stretch if its the right one
  

As you can tell this is my first and i am at a blank as to what to buy, im nearly 24 weeks so thought I best start looking. Will be going to Toys'r'us to have a play with theirs, and the silver cross dealer in town.

Any views good or bad would be greatly appriciated or even suggestions for others

Thankyou

[eugenefitzherbert]

I had the Silver Cross Sleepover for dd2.

What I liked:
The carrycot is a good size and can be used for sleeping overnight.
Huge basket underneath.
Easy to push.
Height adjustable handle.
Comes with cosytoes, raincover etc.
Handy to clip car seat to wheels for quick trips.
Can be rear or forward facing.

What I didn't like:
Big when folded - needs to be folded in two pieces.
I find the pushchair mode a little strange. DD never seemed comfortable in it until she was a big toddler so we didn't use it once she was too big for the lie flat until she was 18 months old.
It's not an off roader at all. No good to push on grass so didn't even try on rougher terrain.

Overall I was really happy with it as lie flat pram but not as a pushchair.

HTH

[tallulah]

We also have the Silver Cross Linear Sleepover. I agree all the plus points with eugene. I used the pushchair rear-facing until DD was over 3 yo. Only problem with that is she was so heavy we've cracked the handle but it did do us well over 3 years.

If you drive a Ford make sure the car seat fits your car... it needs quite long belts. Might be worth checking that before you buy the pram.

The only downside for us was that even folded the pram takes up a lot of room. I had a Smart Forfour and the pushchair chassis would not go in the boot.

[WinterLover]

Hmmmm thanks for your points on the silver cross. I think if its not very good off road i may buy my parents a moses basket for when we are there

Been directed to the HAUCK TRAXX as its apparently very good off road.

I never realised how much of a mind field finding a dam pram/pushchair was going to be :(

[saoirse86]

Do you want a pramette type (where the seat converts from carrycot to pushchair seat) or would one with a separate carrycot and pushchair seat work for you? I know many people would want a pramette to save storage space.

And are you after a new one or would you be happy with second hand (that may mean you can get a better quality pushchair)? Although you'd always be best to buy a new car seat for safety reasons.

And what is your ideal budget, and what can it stretch to?

DP doesn't let me buy all the pushchairs I want so I like to have a look for others! [bugrin]

[saoirse86]

Before I bought any car seats or pushchairs I couldn't understand what all the fuss is about maxi cosi car seats. But I've since found they're a lot lighter than others, fit loads of pushchairs and come in lots of colours/patterns. So I'd go for something that works with them personally. You can get them new for about £100.

The Seed Pli changes from carrycot to pushchair, has nice big wheels for rough ground, and takes a maxi cosi car seat if you buy the adapters. They're usually £800 but there was this one on ebay and I know this seller often sells them so would be worth contacting them if you're interested. They come in black, red and sand. Mothercare should be selling the adapters soon.

I have a babystyle oyster and I love it. They come up on ebay a lot. These are new ones:
Silver chassis for £190.60
Colour pack (hood and liner which you'll definitely need) for £41.39
Black carrycot for £87.89
Footmuff for £33.43
Maxi Cosi adapters £15.76 (has wrong picture)
They also do there own car seat and adapters:
Oyster car seat £63.23
Adapters for £12.99

If you're going off road a lot then a mountain buggy might be good, although they're pricey, so maybe a second hand one. Only downside - you don't get them in particularly interesting colours. Their breeze is reduced to £199.

There are lots of options, and I'm sure you'll get plenty of suggestions.

[saoirse86]

I forgot to say, if you find something cheap somewhere else online only, check whether mothercare sell it. If they do, you can buy it from them (again only online and paying their full price) then call or email them with a link to where you found it cheaper and they'll match it and send you a £10 gift voucher.

I always think it's better to have an actual shop to go to if there's a problem, so this is a good option if they sell the exact same model/colour etc.

[WinterLover]

Thankyou so much for your help. Im replying on my phone at the moment but appriciate all of your information

We had spotted the Hauck I'Coo or second hand Hauck Traxx as they are apparently good off road.

I shall look through your links and reply better when I reach a laptop.

Once again a big thanks :)

[upyourdiva]

Hi the Maxi Cosi Mura is a fab off road pushchair but still usable around town as it's not TOO big (but it is big). The wheels are great off road as they are large and the seat is reversible and suitable from birth.

The other bonus is that it fits the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix car seat which is one of the safest around.

You can buy a carrycot for it but can I suggest just buying a nice sheepskin for newborn to lie on (so comfy and will last until pram is not needed) and buying a travel cot for at your parents house.

Moses baskets are lovely but they don't last as long because they are small.

[saoirse86]

What about an Out n About Nipabout? It's maxi cosi compatible and I think it's seat turns into the carrycot, but they might be separate.