Bugaboo Chameleon - which car will fit one in?

[looweeza]

Hi

We're having a big old panic about our new buggy (i'm 34 weeks so everything needs to BE SORTED OUT ASAP!!). We need to buy a new car, and realise it has to be at least medium-sized to fit the buggy in.

The problem is that I haven't passed my test yet, planning to retake when baby arrives in the new year - but when I do finally pass (fingers crossed) I don't want a massive car.

Obviously Chameleons are huge - so just wondered if anyone who owned one could say which car they had, and whether they were pleased with the combination of the two. We've got a couple of ideas but none of the boots look very suitable.

Perhaps we should have bought the car first.

Thank you..any suggestions very welcome.

We had a Bugaboo Gecko and a Toyota Corolla, it fit in the boot fine. However, we never used to take the carrycot bit -- we got the MaxiCosi car seat and the clips to fit it onto the buggy base so we only had to take the bottom bit, we would just leave DS in the car seat when we'd driven somewhere.

Also bear in mind that you will only need the Chameleon for a few months -- then you can get a folding buggy that will take up much less boot space.

In fact I have just remembered that we didn't ever put the Bugaboo base in the boot -- it would fold up and go on the passenger seat, I sat in the back with DS.

thank you - that's helpful. you're right about only using the buggy for a limited period of time..

You buy the car based on efficiency, space, safety (most important) and then you buy the buggy based on whether you can get it in the car - you have your priorities so the wrong way round!

I had a bugaboo frog and a smart car for a year with DS - it was fine - the big wheels come off and it fits most places. We have a pergeout 206 now (need a back seat with 2 dc) and it fits fine in that too. Don't panic!

yes, we'll be buying the car based on all of those things, we're not idiots. there are many that will suitable - i was just checking to see what other's experience were..

thanks for the dig though, very helpful!

a citroen c4, it fits fine. they are big folded though!

thank you nettee - peugot's on the shortlist, so will be bumped up!

thank you scorpio1..

Hi! I've got a bugaboo cameleon and have fitted it easily into the boot of both a Nissan Micra and a Skoda Fabia. Taking the back wheels off (either one or both) really makes all the difference.

Maybe you could take the pram along and see if it fits into the cars you're interested in at the garage? Only perhaps explain what you're doing to the staff so they don't stare at you like you're mad (not that it happened to me...)

ha ha, funnily enough, that's exactly what i suggested to dp today, but he didn't want to look silly..we'll definitely take it along with us next weekend!

Mine fits in our nissan almera tino, my mums ford c max, and my aunts ford galaxy, all without taking the wheels off

We've got a gecko and it fits fine in the back of an Audi A3 (both the frame with big wheels still on and the carrycot). Bugaboos are remarkably compact when folded - especially if you remove the big wheels. We thought of getting a lightweight buggy to take on holiday, but couldn't find one that we liked that we could get in the car (umbrella folds are much longer)...

Meg - How long will you have a Cameleon before having to trade up to a bigger folding buggy, as you refer to in your earlier post? I'm looking at getting a cameleon but it sounds like you only get a few months use out of it before having to change it anyway?!

Boobz -- we used the Gecko til DS was about 9mo. Then we got a Maclaren folding stroller (trading down not trading up!) as it was much smaller and nippier.

Boobz - it depends what you want - if you like the cameleon and it works for you you don't have to change it at all. You're recommended to have your baby lying close to flat for the first 6 months - in a Cameleon that means using the carry cot, but you could go straight to a lie-flat buggy if you wanted.
We had a list of things that we wanted a buggy to do and the Gecko seemed the best fit. We're still using the Gecko and DD is nearly 20 months. For me, being able to have DD face me was and still is important - and you can't do that in an umbrella fold. Plus umbrella folds don't fit in our car. Its not perfect - I'd rather be able to change the angle of her hips (rather than rotate the seat unit as is) and I'm not too fond of the way the sunshade / rain cover works with the seat unit, but I haven't found anything that would do the job better so we're sticking with it for now.

We have an 07 Fiesta, it fitted fine, no problems. (assuming you kinow you have to take it to bits, lol)

I have sold bugaboo now though as did not like it.

Ive fit one in an astra and peugot 306.
I dont do umberella buggies so my main choosen pram sticks with me from birth to walking!
Sure it will fit in lots of boots, but like said take to garage when looking at car!

It fits well in my audi A3

Thanks guys - and sorry for the high-jack!

A

My friends Chameleon fits in her mini - not much room for shopping though!
I have one too, (huge car so car advice irrelevant from me) but am still using my Chameleon and DD was 2 in September - no need to buy another buggy IMO!
Will be using it again for impending DC3. Chameleons rock.