To spend £700 on a travel system?

[LittleMiss77]

Exactly that - we need to buy one and the one I like is £700 inc. car seat.

Is it too much?

I bought a travel system second hand for £80 (plus a new car seat),

Am glad I didn't spend more - DS was clingy and loathed the bassinet, I took him everywhere in a sling for months and it barely left the house.

Then with more experience I realised that a really good lightweight stroller was needed for public transport etc so I invested some of the money I 'saved' into this.

Travel system does get regular use but I think I will ditch it as soon as DS grows out of the stage 1 car seat, and buy something else to complement the stroller (for big walks, off road etc).

If I had spent good money on a travel system I would have felt the need to stick with it even though it didn't really meet our needs.

*car seat I meant.

OP Absolutely nothing wrong with a second hand chassis, carry cot etc etc but personally I'd buy a brand new car seat just in case, that's what me and my DP did. That's not to say that if a friend were to give/sell you one second hand that you shouldn't consider taking it but if they've ever been in a car accident then technically they're not safe any more and buying one online you'd never know the history.

Pushchair though completely different story - Go for it!! It might take time to find exactly what you want and you may have to travel to go get it but you will eventually get what you want for a lot cheaper!!

Out of interest OP which system were you looking at?

Can you afford it?
If so buy it.

My bugaboo and city jogger are going strong 3 babies in and were worth it.

Hi Darth

Im looking at the Silver Cross Surf 2 - its light (i drive, but do walk a lot and there are some serious hills near me) not too bulky, comes with everything i want it to (although i will admit to being swayed by the pretty colours!)

I initially wanted a Cosatto Giggle, but head read that they were subject to a recall due to chassis failiure and also looked at the Graco Candy Rock but i just didnt get a 'feel' for it if that makes sense?

I like the look of the Jane Matrix Epic too but cant find anywhere locally that stock it to be able to go and play with it...

Ive asked friends and colleagues and they are all coming back to me with suggestions of systems £1000 + which i just cant justify (especially when we're still doing work on the house!)

I have money set aside for the essentials (this is the first and long awaited DC) with £700 being the max.... ive got to the stage where there is so much choice that its starting to become confusing and frustrating so ive drawn a line under the Surf 2 ifswim?

I got an ex display bugaboo chameleon for a good price and there are plenty on EBAY VGC with all the accessories. I would rather have a second hand well built one than a less good one that costs me the same amount. I don't drive so I walk everywhere and it walks about 3 miles a day.

Pregnant with baby number 2 and I'm using it again after getting IT serviced

Look at what the buggies you're interested in sell for second hand on ebay. If there are lots and they're selling well, then buy new and sell it when you've finished with it.

My "system" was close to £1000 and I sold it for almost £700. So it cost £300

There is a pushchairs sub-board in the Products category where you can ask specific questions and opinions of serious pramaholics! Found it very useful when choosing our pushchair and now DD is here I'm really pleased with our choice, was total just under £500 new inc carrycot and should do for as long as she needs a pushchair. We got a car seat passed on from some (trustworthy!) friends.

I wouldn't, but if you can afford it and you like it then no reason why not. I do know a lot of people irl who bought expensive travel systems and regretted it as they were too bulky to use long term. I personally wouldn't ever buy a buggy new, there are so many good quality second hand ones around, I got a second hand baby jogger city mini for £100 and it's been fab! Most buggies have adapters for eg maxi cosi car seats so no need for a travel system.

Well I guess my best advice is this - Go with what you feel is right for you! You will find that a lot of people will recommend pricey systems....although we got our one cheap I can't recommend a Bugaboo highly enough but they're very expensive! It was only through my other half searching the net with regularity that she found one and if what your heart truly desires is something similar then sign up to fb groups, look at Gumtree and hunt until you get what you want. If you're happy with a system you've seen in the shops and it falls within the budget you've allowed then go and buy it, because you'll use it for a good few years yet and it's not something that's worth skimping on in my book if you know you'll be using it a lot. £700 is a decent sized budget, much more than we had, so I'm sure you will get what you want and what makes you happy.

Happy hunting

If you have the money, no not unreasonable.

Some of the more expensive systems can include carrycots suitable for night sleeping. This can be brilliant as if your baby is a relatively heavy sleeper you can put him/her to bed and head out for dinner/travel home from friends/family etc. It really stops you being tied to the house (if your baby plays ball).

Another fan of the uppababy vista here. It's a lovely pram. We got ours from John Lewis and asked them to price match a shop the other end of the country, they did and it saved us hundreds. It's the best thing we've bought for DS.

Do it! As long as you know it's a good fit for you and is practical. You wi?l use it every day for around 2 years so it's worth it imo.

I bought most baby stuff secondhand (clothes, equipment) so I saved a lot that way, but for a buggy I think it's worth getting something decent.

We spent £1250 if you can afford it why not , go for it.

We bought an Xplory with DS2 and if I'm entirely honest, it was a ridiculous amount of money to spend especially since we bought all the stuff to go with it including the car seat and carrycot, and they hardly got any use.

I walked lots when DS2 was little so we needed something sturdy and practical and the Xplory was mostly designed for prancing about in John Lewis, not tramping over fields after an idiot spaniel, so DS spent most of his time on my back in a wrap with the Xplory in the boot of my car. We sold it for £700 when he was 2, as he flatly refused to go in it. Next baby I'm going to strap on the dog's back and save the money.

Ultimately, it makes no difference what you spend so long as it doesn't leave you broke and it's useful, long-term. Have you been and tested any out yet?