Phil&Teds, any good?

[PramEnvy]

I am tempted to buy a P&T 3 wheeler as I find my 4 wheelers nowhere near as maneuverable especially now my LO is 8 months and heavy. The main reason why I want to buy a PT particularly is because we are going to TTC soon and we could use it as a double pram as well.
I have a couple of questions:
-are these pram solid enough to be bought second hand?
-if you are a user, are you happy with it? I have seen very mixed reviews.
Any other feedback will be gratefully received.

I wouldn't buy a double on the basis of a future pg

second hand they are ok
not the best 3 wheeler - MB better imho

I have a Dash and I do like it but took a bit of getting used to after having a Bugaboo Bee. We bought ours new and there was a problem with the steering but P&T did sort it out for us really quickly. I would receommend and have to say the majority of mums of 2 that I know have one and seem happy enough.

I have a Sport and I like it mostly. The brake is a pain to apply in mine, have to bend down to release brake, a pain when you are in a bus etc.
Need to fill the tires so that they don't get a puncture. I got on on my first trip out.
i still prefer my bugaboo cameleon but as far as doubles go it is fine. Everybody around here has them and I guess like them.
Can get on a bus too.

Meant to say that when the second baby is under 6 months old, you have to put them in a carrycot thingy. My DD hated it and I had to sling her for the first 6 months. She is fine with it now that it is in the 2 toddler mode.

I have a sport, easy to steer, can get it on the bus. I live in a village and spend a lot of time on foot paths and bridle ways so the air tyres were good for that. It can be a bit of a pain in tight situations since it is a little longer than a single but it isn't a problem really.

I have a friend who got one to use as a single until she had her second because her pushchair had completely broken and she didn't see the point of buying something else since she knew she would want a double.

Mind you, you are not even pg yet. You might be aiming for a small age gap where you need a double but you might not get it (sorry, not trying to be pessimistic just wanting to point it out) you could find yourself with a bigger age gap and a double that you don't use wishing you had a pushchair and buggy board! If you can afford it then tbh I'd just get a MacLaren or something for now.

Oh yes and a stroller of some description won't be wasted even if you do end up getting a P&T when you have the baby. Mine are now 4 and 2 and the 4 year old has long since been walking everywhere, the 2 year old walks most places too so the P&T is now unused and I use a stroller for when the 2 year old needs a sit down.

I know I am not pg yet but thought that a P&T could be used as easily as a single or double so in case I needed a double it would be there. Would a macclaren type be ok on a country lane/path?

I don't think it's a bad thing to think ahead to no 2. I wish I had! However I wouldn't buy a P&T as a double. I think there are much better options out there. I like mine as a single though and if you bought one and then decided to get a different double later then they hold their value well. If you do still want a P&T (and mine is great off road) and plan to upgrade later still then DO look at all the models critically. Some have reclining second seats, some don't. Some have uncomfortable bars on the back of the doubles kit (used for the eldest when baby is first born) and others don't. Some it's easy to kick the doubles kit, others you wouldn't. Some have zips and poppers everywhere and some dont. So it's definitely worth having a good play in Mothercare or similar to begin with and from there using the Phil & Teds website to play spot the difference.

Don't get me wrong, the P&T is fine to use as a single and I did so for quite a while once ds was walking everywhere and before dd was mostly walking. I just wanted to throw in there that should you find yourself with a larger age gap you might regret it and want a single as the P&T is a bit biger than a normal single which can be a pain at times.

If you do a lot on country paths then I suppose a stroller might not be the one for you with an 8 month old. I use mine now because dd isn't in it all that much. Air tyres are much better.

A P&T has good resale value though, if you got one second hand in the first place then so long as you take care of it you can probably sell it on for what you paid.

I have a 5 year old E3 which is really solid and I have replaced NOTHING, not so much as an inner tube. They are sturdy pushchairs.

I have had loads of buggies including various bugaboo, nipper double etc, I have had the new p and Ted explorerer but sold it as didntnlike the rear seat didn't recline and although the main seat is meant to be easy recline the straps on mine were a pain, they are meant to go in a metal hook bit so you can pull to put seat up or down but mine kept coming out, used a nipper double when dd2 was born to about 6months, dd1 was 2.6 when dd2 born, it was fabulous.....but then dd1 bigger and bigger and better at walking, now 3.5 and doesn't need buggy but..........we have a quite long walk to play school three times a week, she gets tired as week goes on, by thurs she hops in back of my p and t sport for the trip home! Dd2 happy in front leaning on bumper bar and now aged 10 months waving at cars. I love love love it, it is the older sport model but I got it new from mothercare on offer with extra 10% off! , it seems sturdier thanbthe new models and the fabric seat nicer the material on new ones seemed cheaper to me but that's just me beingna fusspot. It is handy for dd1 rare occasion she needs it, rest of time doubles seat is full of coats, bags shopping etc, it is super easy to fold and pushbeven one handed with two big girlies in it. I am a chronic pushchair seller and buyer!! But have this one for the longest vie kept one in a while, it suits my needs very well.........however if I had a closer age gap and would need it for two children who would nap in it more than once or twice a week there a far comfier options eg new mountain buggy duet or the nipper double, as a single the p and t is ok but there are better eg mountain buggy prob a better three wheeler single, dd2 is totally comfy in the main seat of the p and t though and sits well supported and straight, never slumps etc, bumper bar great on any buggy off road or not IMHO. You can always get a single for now and sell on if you suddenly need a double and there are always always deals on buggies double or otherwise when you do decide what you want so shop around! Great fun choosing. Sorry long one!