Maclaren Tecno versus cheap buggy...

[Tinkjon]

I want a lightweight buggy. Sounds like the Maclaren Techno CT is the Mumsnet favourite, but it's so expensive! DS is definitely going to be our last child so I don't need one that's going to last for years and be handed down to another child. So do I pay for the Maclaren or do I get a cheap £30 imitation from Argos?

I was very disappointed by our old Maclaren and that's possibly what's putting me off spending a lot of cash on another Maclaren. I assume that cheap buggies aren't built to last but I wonder if it would they be ok for 3 years? Are cheap buggies awful to use? Grateful for any advice, thanks!

I've got a techno, and it's the best one I bought. Also have a triumph, but the backrest doesn't go cvompletely upright which is really annoying as you can't get into the shopping basket.
I would say get a techno as you will be able to sell it on. It really is a great pushchair.

I would try the silvercross pop

or a cheap one from toysrus (not the i love my bear one)

my friend works there and apparently they are very good and they never have people brining them back you can buy them online

techno everytime!

they are bloody brilliant. i have one for dd3, and am keeping it for dc#4.

Selling it on is a great idea, I hadn't thought of taking that into account. Thanks everyone.

I have a techno XT in my current job

(persoanlly its NOT my favourite buggy but i see why it can appeal)

anyway my aunt has just bought an 'own brand' version of the techno XT (she bought it in australia so i guess its not one that many of us over here have BUT it looks like the techno xt does and looks the same as other buggies trying to be the techno XT)

I tried it over easter... i couldnt belive how differenet it was.. it was much harder to push and MUCH heavier and not nearly so well balanced for going up kerbs etc

I vowed to myself that when i have my own children if i decide i want a techno XT (as i say, i cant imagine i would choose it myself) then i would go for a real maclaren one, not a cheap immitiation as their one, although it looks the same is not even nearly as good.

we bought a cheaper cossato one when he was born. I kept tripping on it when pushing it (bashing my shins). So we bought a Maclaren techno classic. He's now almost 4 and hadn't needed it for a year but we went for a long walk and he was already tired so I dug it out the garage. Yep........still impressed with it. It's waiting for the next one

this pushchair is the Scandanavian version of the Techno XT. But it is even - unbelievably - better! They are no longer being made so these are end of the line hence the retail price.

I got one for dd2 due in Sept. DD1, now 3 yo fits brilliantly in it so I can see dd2 using it for the next 3 or 4 yrs too.

I bought a maclaren techno xt for my second and last child and would highly recommend it. It is much better than the cheaper maclaren quest I had with my first child. the only issue I have with maclaren buggies is that the rain covers seem a fiddle to get on ...they seem a tight fit..once they are on they are fine.

I have a toysrus version (bruin). It was half the price 4 years ago and is still going strong. I bought it on impulse (reduced price, included raincover and footmuff). V good value IMHO when compared to maclaren

dont know where you live but I have a maclaren techno xt in good condition for sale also a maclaren quest in excellent condition. I havent got round to advertising them yet . I am in west sussex if you interested

I have managed to trash 2 Quests so I finally got a Techno and it seems pretty indestructable. The problem that I found with the quest was that the wheels wear down very quickly, especially if like me you walk everywhere, and hang the occasional bag on the handles You just have to look at people with quests to notice how mush the back wheels get worn down. I also hated the brakes. The Techno wheels are much bigger and sturdy. I had a friend who worked in Mothercare who said they were always gettign their cheap buggy returned for repairs, so I would probably avoid that too. It does seem like a big expense, but I would have saved a lot of money and frustration had I just gone for the Techno in the first place. It is still in good nick, and I shall be using it for number 2 when he arrives.

I am another xt lover.
Excellent pushchair, you could always buy second hand off ebay cos some of them really are in good nick.

I bought mine new when my first baby was around 18mths I think, then used it for him and my now second baby, and if I cleaned the wheels it would look like new!

The sell on factor is huge as they last and resell really well. My advice would be get one, there are lots of discount codes available to save the pennies with free delivery etc, but make sure you get a form of pushchair liner too to save the seat!

Widgypog, I am in Essex so a bit of a trek from you - thanks anyway!

I think I will try one then. I'm going to take my old one and compare the handle-height (as on my other thread, I'm a bit of a shorty-pants, so want to check it's not going to give me arm-ache to push it!) Very useful to know about the cheap ones being returned for repairs, thanks littlelamb!