Any reason why I shouldn't get a M&P Pliko Pramette?

[Mandy73]

This pram decision is so difficult and lovely at the same time, no?

I understand the Pliko Pramette has scored really well in tests & won awards.
And is best suited for an 'urban lifestyle' - anything else I should know?

Any words of wisdom much appreciated. The buggers aint cheap!

Many thanks!
x

PS: And since we're at it - what car seat should I get?

[nuclear]

I really didn't like mine I found it quite awkward to 'drive' I much prefer the 3 wheel ones.

I have a double 3 wheeler now and it is easier to drive than the pliko even though it is twice the size.

[EachPeachPearMum]

I don't like the 2 handles thing- sometimes you need to be able to push/steer one-handedly, and a continuous handle makes that a lot easier.

[MadameCastafiore]

Because M&P customer service is shite.

I had a Pliko and it broke twice - they send them off to be mended because obviously is your fault they have broekn and not because they are crap and you have a nice scummy one that every other customer has had to borrow to wheel your precious bundle around in until they send you your back until it breaks again!

Then stupidly I bought a M&P Ziko and am on my forth one after threatening to chuck the third through their plate glass window when it broke and they told me it was my fault for using it wrongly - its pushchair - I didn't use it as a JCB or a washing machine - I used it as a pushchair!

I would buy a McClaren Techno and a seperate car seat if I had my way again - you realise that a posh nicely upholstered pushchair that costs loads is lovely until it keeps breaking!

Honestly steer well clear of M&P altogether.

[FiveDollarShake]

I loved my pramette but its now sat in the loft redundant since DD arrived and I got a P&T.

I loved the fact that you can swop it from a lie down pram facing you for a newborn to a pushchair facing away once they sit up. It folds up easily into a car boot. And has a good size shopping net underneath.

My only criticism is if you're going to use public transport. I dont drive so had to use buses occasionally and found it a bit heavy and cumbersome to get on and off. I ended up getting a very cheap buggy for this purpose. Luckily most things were in walking distance so it was still worth getting the pramette.

[EachPeachPearMum]

Have you looked at the Hauck Infinity?
only 2 colours... but has pram bit/carry cot, rear-facing or forward facing buggy, and car seat, raincover, buggy snuggle, change bag etc all included. Kiddicare have best price- under £300.

Or mothercare's My3 or My4- pretty similar... £400, or £350 atm in red

[EachPeachPearMum]

Oh... and I am so of your lovely house! It's beautiful.
This is your first child, is it?

[mamadiva]

Mothercare do a lovely Jeep one, looks like the Hauck Infinity but is £250

Also never had dealings with M&P customer services but I do have an M&P 03 sport and I love it! Never had any problems with it, other than the fact it's like a tank

[Deaconwood]

I have bought a two year old M&P Pliko pramette travel combination off ebay for £49 after deciding I liked them...really pleased with it although I would say it doesn't feel as stylish as some of the others. It folds up very small when you take the carrycot bit off and looks very nice and comfortable.

I hope it will be alright for the baby - but I don't feel too worried as I know I haven't spent hundreds on it so can always change when I find out what I really need out of pram!

[TheProvincialLady]

I love my pramette and have never had any problems with breakage or using public transport - and I don't drive so it has had daily hard use for the last 2 years. What suits one person will not suit another and you can never tell for sure until you have got one I'm afraid. Everyone assured me I would want a stroller when Ds was 6m but I got one when he was about a year and still much prefer the pramette - also it is much comfier for DS. You could always try a second hand one if you don't want to risk the cash - and it is quite a lot isn't it?

[LiegeAndLief]

I have a pramette and whilst it's been fine and I'm still using it (ds is 2), I wouldn't buy one again. It's very difficult to push one handed because of the two handles (although you can hang shopping bags off them which you can't with a single bar), which sounds trivial but is really important when your toddler wants to get out and walk and you have to push the pushchair at the same time as hanging onto them. It's also not very good over rough ground/grass - all the three wheelers my friends have are much easier to push.

On the plus side ds is very comfy in it and it does collapse easily, you don't have to mess about taking bits off it to get it in the boot.

[threetinytots]

IME and IMO, Mamas and Papas are overrated, expensive and poor quality. There are much nicer, better pushchairs out there. Really can't recommend one until I know what it is exactly that you want/need from your pushchair.

As for car seats - Maxi Cosi Cabriofix comes out best in the Which report, plus will fit on a multitude of different pushchairs. But again, depends on your needs.

[EsmeWeatherwax]

I got a second hand pramette from ebay too. I loved it when dd was a wee baby, was very easy to push, and coped very well with the rough country roads around here. It folds down well too and doesn't take up too much room.

Now dd is older and a big girl for her age, I find it murderously heavy though. I think she still likes it mind, she always seems really comfy in it, and she likes the freedom harness too.

[MrsBadger]

The Silver Cross DAzzle is better IMO

and agree the MaxiCosi Cabrio (with base if you can afford it) is v good

[Mandy73]

Very very interesting ladies, thank you so much. You've really given me some food for thought here. Didn't know some of those brands.
Agree totally with the handles.
Pros & cons with everything huh?
I live in town, walk a lot, go on buses a lot, occasionally go in a car, want something sturdy but not too heavy/clumsy as I'm v feeble. Used to think a 'nice looking one' was da shiz but now realize there are much more important factors. I hate the newborn ones that look like hair stylist's trolleys though.

EachPeachPearMum thank you so much it's the only room I've done up (my study/guest room)originally it was the darkest yuckiest blue you can imagine.
You should see the rest of the dump . Yes it's #1 at long last.

[EachPeachPearMum]

It's the complete lack of baby/toddler accoutrements that gives it away!
Many congratulations too btw

[thell]

I have one which hasn't had heavy use as I've done quite a bit of babywearing. It does feel a bit shaky and bumpy, and I've tried smoother ones to push, but I liked the pram configuration (although DD didn't and preferred to be carried!), and it's comfy for DD on quick trips up and down the high street.

The two-handles thing is mostly about folding up - I needed one that would fold up umbrella-style, like the MacLarens rather than just flat.

I wouldn't buy one full price either - I got mine half price in John Lewis because the fabric was discontinued.

My top tip is that there are lots of buggy addicts who buy more then one (or two, or three) who sell their Gently Used buggies on eBay. Might be worth a look.

[threetinytots]

I'd have a look at:
confort streety

micralite toro you will need the carrycot which is sold seperately to use from birth but you could use this instead of a moses basket.

bugaboo bee

nipper 360

Just a few for you to look at! I currently have the Toro and the Nipper, so may be slightly biased. HTH

[Mandy73]

You're being so helpful - I'm touched!

[BabyBaby123]

i was going to get one but changed my mind as I heard there are safety issues - apparently the harness is not very good and some babies have sustained leg injuries in them. I'm going to go with something else - not sure what yet!

[chequersandroastedchestnuts]

I've heard loads of bad things about the Pliko pramette but I love mine and have never had any problems.

I like the two handle thing because I walk the dog with the pram and I like to loop the lead over the handle as she sometimes pulls.

Mine was on offer when I bought it - the primo viaggio car seat came free with it. I think they nomrally have some kind of offer where you can buy both together.

[nappyaddict]

Those of you who have had the pliko is it heavy to push with say a 2 year old in it?

[mamaberta]

yes it is heavy with a 2 yo in (and mine was and still is a skinny wee minnie). It is bulky - we had a tandem buggy for a while and they were the same size folded down. It is not easy to convert from pram to pushchair. The two handles thing is a real pain. A single handle is much better. The ride is bumpy for the baby. The Primo Viaggio carseat weighs a ton.... oh a a slightly bitchy friend/acquaintance told me it was the pram of choice for chavvy teen mums in our area(which is a laff as I am screaming middle class lentil muncher and won't see 39 again! ). The last point hardly matters but the rest is practicality-related and important to consider. They are expensive. I wish I'd gone for a 3 wheeler. They always get good reviews in parenting mags but I think they are rigged!!!

[mamaberta]

I mean the Pliko gets the rigged reviews not the 3 wheelers

[SpookyMadMummy]

I have a second hand Pliko Pramette I bought from a Mumsnetter. I figure if I only use it for the carrycot stage and up to DD3's first birthday (she is due in March) then I will have my moneys' worth for what I paid.
I got it primarily for the school run, I plan to use a sling where I can in the first instance for public transport and then later get a lightweight umbrella stroller.

[nappyaddict]

mamaberta - are they any heavier to push with a 2 year old in than say a maclaren or similar sort of umbrella fold buggy?