Phil & Ted's or Buggy Pod attached to McLarens for a newborn and 3 year old?

[Rosetip]

I'm due in May and my toddler will turn 3 shortly afterwards. He still needs his pushchair quite a lot and I think I will need some sort of double buggy system for the first year. I've already got a McLarens double buggy but this is too heavy for the school run. A friend has offered to sell me her Phil & Ted's (price not yet fixed-any suggestions?), but I met someone the other day with a Buggy Pod version 2 which looked quite good. I will need a new McLarens type single buggy eventually anyway as present one knackered after two children. Dilemma is whether to go for P&T followed by cheap buggy (when baby turns 1 and toddler 4) or Buggy Pod with more expensive from-birth McLarens. Any advice?

sorry im a bit thick but whats a buggy pod like a buggy board

No, it's different to a buggy board. It's like a little side-car, attached to the side of a normal buggy with a sort of 3 wheeler look. Therefore toddler gets to sit down, and baby gets to lie flat in the proper pushchair. The lady I spoke to said her's was great but there have been some slightly dodgy reviews on the Internet. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of them as not many people seem to know about them.

my dd was 2.8 when ds was born. we've managed with a single maclaren plus a sling tucked in the shopping basket plus a buggy board. it is compact and versatile. generally ds in the techno dd walking/buggy board. if she wants to sleep - i put ds in the sling.

like your idea kif sounds like a cheap practical solution personally if u already have a maclaren sidebside im assuming then i wouldnt bother getting a single buggy and a buggypod as it sound like an exspensive solution to what might be only a short term problem

my dd1 was only 2.8 when dd2 was born i made her walk short distances and had a buggy board for anything longer but i started making dd1 walk short distances and not taking buggy from about 6 mth gone so she got used to it didnt get upset that her pram was being used by baby

good thing about phil and ted u can still use as a single until LO ready to walk

but u need to get what suits your needs space, praticality, if ur mate doing u a deal u might do well to snap her hand off, if you didnt get on with it i bet they go for a good price on ebay

I have looked at the buggy pods on ebay, they seem to fetch around 60 new, whereas a P&T goes rarely for under 200 used. Saying that, I would MUCH rather have a P&T (actually we have one - the older model which is better for a larger child, my DS is going to be 4 soon + newborn in the back)
as a buggypod looks sooo complicated, I would just not have faith in it especially having tried a seat-to-go type board thingy, (seat and footrest) and found it hopeless - you don't want to go up kerbs or reverse or anything with one of those attached!
So I'd go with the P&T anyday.
And if your mate is selling you hers, might be a better deal than ebay. Everyone I've ever known who has one, swears by it - fits in shops and doorways as well, pod would be tricky in that respect.
Good luck!

Only know the P&T but have a 3.4 yr old and 6 month old and it's been excellent. Thoroughly recommend!

P+T is fab I paid £200 for mine on ebay and it had a cocoon aswell and raincover. However I wouldnt have spent that much if I had a 3yr gap. I make my 3yr old walk everywhere and have done since he was 2.5yrs[when found out was pregnant with DD2]. Your 3yr old may surprise you! My Ds loves the fact he is the big brother and knows both the girls go in the pram as they are 15mths and 3mths.At most I would go with a buggy board/sling and see how it goes ot be honest.

You say the Mclatens double buggy is too heavy for the school run. I don't think the P&T is any lighter. (I have both).

agree dont think the p+t is lighter may just be because you have a 3yr old in it. I had a side by side which was same weight just that it wouldnt fit through my narrow porch door.

P&T is briiliant for shopping (getting into Next, etc. - This could be difficult with buggy pod.