Argh, it's so confusing! Looking for a double for a 20 mo and a newborn

[LifeOfKate]

I could really do with the wisdom of mn at the moment.

Have been looking at doubles, as am 17 weeks pregnant with DC2 and DS will be 20 months when this one is born. After extensive research, I have decided that a side by side is right for me, tandems just look awkward and there's just something about p&t double deckers that I don't like.

When I was pregnant with DS, I bought a Britax Vigour 3+ which I adore, although the build quality isn't fantastic, but that's fine since it's at the cheap end of the market. If there was a side by side version of this, I would be buying it! Anyway, this time we have decided to look at the slightly pricier end of the market, although buy second hand, especially since I'm only realistically hoping to use it for about a year and then DS will (hopefully!) walk and I can go back to using britax for DC2. So, our budget is £200, possibly £250 for something special (i.e. a mountain buggy, which DH has totally fallen in love with).

Having had a good look at what's around second hand, I've narrowed it down to Baby Jogger City Classic/Elite, Mountain Buggy Duo or Nipper 360, so am looking for some opinions.
I have been trying to find somewhere to have a look at them all, but while you can find mountain buggy/360 to look at, I'm findng it hard to find a stockist of BJ Classic/Elite, which going by the specs and the videos I've managed to find, is my top choice. Quick question, is the Elite simply an updated version of the Classic, with just a few added features? Just wondering as you don't seem to be able to buy the classics new anymore and they go for cheaper on ebay. Has anyone had experience of both and think the Elite is worth the extra bit they go for on ebay? I am a fan of the extra features, particularly the hand brake and the adjustable legrest. The classic doesn't look like it reclines all that far, so how are these for suitability for a newborn? Would it be best to get some kind of soft carrycot/cocoon to sit in the seat?

Looking at the mountain buggy and 360, the main things I don't like are the shared hood and that they both look like the child isn't sat up very straight. Have read in reviews that the child isn't sat up very straight in the 360. Also, in terms of the 360, I think I have a preference for 4 wheels for a double due to stability, so am a bit concerned about that.

Too much to think about! I would be most grateful for any advice at alll anyone can offer, or any other suggestions of doubles I may not have though of (particularly ones that can be parent facing too, these seem to be the holy grail of doubles!).

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the mammoth post!

I vote Baby Jogger - because the quality of them is fabulous - they're lovely to push - comfortable for babies and also very convenient to you in the way that they fold so instantly - and are quick and easy to pop up again.

The Nipper was lovely to push - but I felt the seats were too small - the fabric quality wasn't so great as that on the Baby Jogger brand too.
I also found the fold for the Nipper AWFUL - you had to undo fiddly metal clips and remove them from the frame before you could fold - and replace again when you'd put it up. It was just horrible to fold and unfold (which I had to do several times a day to get it in and out my house)!

What do you think to the heaviness of the baby jogger as that seems to be the one sticking point with it? We do have a small bit of room to store it in the house, but would prefer to store it in the car, so will probably be lifting it in and out of the boot a fair bit. The fold on the BJ definitely attracted me to it in the first place, our britax is not easy to fold with the seat on!

Which Baby Jogger were you thinking of in particular? - I think the City Mini is the lighter - and can handle most terrains (except the roughest) as it has large wheels for a "lightweight" buggy. It also won't have puncture issues and will be much smaller to store. So perhaps this could be the one for you?

I didn't find the BabyJogger heavy I(I'm 5'7" and fairly strong - although I do have some back issues after 4 pregnancies with large babies!)- it's not so "superlight" as some - but didn't feel heavy to me - perhaps because it was easy to lift and manouver - having the handles, and it was a breeze to fold.

PS - the Baby Jogger City Classic is fine for a newborn - and yes the Elite has more "features" (luxury features mostly that aren't really necessary but are nice to have).
The Baby Jogger City Classic is a good buy off eBay - look for the one with the front wheel suspension (plastic wheels - not the aluminium wheels) - as this front wheel suspension is lovely to have - makes a real difference when going up and down kerbs!

Baby Jogger City Classic pictured with tiny baby and toddler!

Baby Jogger Classic Double on eBay with the front wheel suspension I have bought from this seller before - they are excellent!

21 month gap with mine. Having looked endlessly, finally decided on Jane Powertwin which worked really well. Expensive new but loads on ebay. We usually had DS in the back, facing DD in her car seat in the front for short trips. Or DD would effectively be cocooned in the back for longer trips. We kept it in the car and it was reasonable to lift in and out.

Had experience of friends with other doubles: any double with 2/3 handles (ie cheaper ones) nightmare to push. Nipper good apart from contrary lie back mechanism and fold, although when we tried it, DS hated it as difficult for toddlers to sit up enough to see out. I hated P & T and other double decker tandems for same reasons as you. Friend has the P & T side by side - good but still a bit rare to find. There is one on ebay for £250 today (friends was grey - ebay one looks a bit odd)

Thanks all :)

Am veering towards the BJ Classic now, especially as we had looked at the one on your link, Monkey, and had wondered if it was a good buy! Am a bit of a fan of big wheels, so don't think the smaller wheel BJ models are for us.

Think the nipper is definitely ruled out now and I've watched a video of the mountain buggy and the fold looks very awkward compared to the BJCC. Only disadvantage I can find with the BJCC now is that I have a buggysnuggle which I love and it might have to be altered somewhat to make the fold mechanism accessible! Wonder if I will be able to sell it with the BJCC afterwards :o

You will be able to reach underneath the buggy snuggle and pull the fold handle - so it won't be an issue!

Ah, brilliant, that's good to know! Our search for a buggy is now on hold due to an unfortunate incident today involving the side of my car, a car park barrier and a £350 excess , but I will definitely bear all your advice in mind when I've saved up again in a few months time!