Questions about buying a six year old Bugaboo Cameleon

[VegemiteSandwich]

We've started (and possibly finished?) looking at prams and the Bugaboo Cameleon seems like it would suit us the best.

As luck would have it, one of my friends is selling her six(ish) year old Bugaboo. Assuming that it is in reasonable condition, it seems like a good option!

Have things changed that much with the Bugaboo? Namely:

1. We have just bought a new maxi-cosi car seat that (with adaptors) will fit onto the new Cameleon. Will it also fit onto the older one?

1. We might buy new fabric for the top bit to make it feel a bit newer. Will the new tailored fabric fit onto an older Cameleon?

1. Err, that's it really. Anything else I should know?

The husband is also thinking that a new one would be OK since the resale value seems to be pretty good (though we'll have to be sensible with our colour choice in that case).

I had a Cameleon for DD1 and TBH it was perfect for us. I am currently sat here trying really hard not to buy another one....as there are some on offer at present....and its my birthday next week!! LOL

Your friend will have a 1st Gen Cam - ie the oldest. There is a brand new 3rd Gen Cam coming out in September (which the rational part of me is saying hang out for rather than buying now) which will be much better.

Yes, all the current fabrics will fit the older Cam. You will need a new mattress for the carrycot.

I bought my Cam new and made a profit on it upon resale 2 years later (price increases and good buying) but not thats not the norm!!

A Bugaboo warranty is worth having, but after 6 years, your friend should be able to be honest about the condition and any issues and it should be cheap as well. You could always get it to try, or splurge on the new Cam3!

Tiggy, where are the current Cam offers??

Pramcentreonline seem to have the best prices I can find. Babybaby are supposed to have good prices too.

Thanks for all the advice! Waiting for the third gen bugaboo sounds like an interesting option... I could sell this too the husband by explaining the improved resale value!! If they are coming out in Sept do you reckon I'll be OK for a baby due in Dec? I guess, also, the second gen cameleons might be going cheap!

I have a 6 year old Cam which I have just got out of the loft for ds2 due in 5 weeks, I used mine everyday with ds1 til he was 3 and it is absolutley fine :) honestly I have just bought new mattress, handlebar covers and new bumper bar and it looks as good as new. I did take care of mine though so not sure about your friend but it's your choice. The adaptors still fit the old model as I have a new pebble car seat which goes on the cam frame and tbh I really dont think I could justify paying £800 and more for accesories for a new cam when there isnt too much difference imo. Although I have just bought a brand new limited edition bee which is fab hth.

I bought another Cam last night :D
I think its nostalgia speaking :)

Tiggy, did you get it from Pramcentreonline in the end? I would be grateful for some feedback on their service as I'm thinking of ordering from them. Thanks

No I didn't because I have e-mailed them two questions in the last few days and haven't had a reply from either. Meanwhile I e-mailed John Lewis for a price match to them (maybe worth a try) but I am still waiting for a response back on that!! So I bought on from a lovely MN in the end :) The only people who did reply were House of Baby who are lovely and TBH I would have been tempted to ask them to price match next but I didn't need to.

Oh and Babybaby replied too :) So them either!

pramcentreonline are rubbish at answering emails! I had emailed over a week ago and not reply but I emailed again about something different and got a reply after a few days but without a real answer just a number to call for help!

I was given a first gen cam for DS and I love it. Had some probs with the buttons to make it recline sticking but a little bit of searching on mn fixed that :)
My friend has a second gen and there is a very few little differences but nothing substantial.

There are Companies that recondition old pushchairs

London based one

My chameleon is 6.5 years old, I loved it for both our daughters, but if I was having a new baby now, I'd have a bee.

Depending on the price and condition I think you could give it a try.

Things to watch for are the wheels, do they squeak, are they very worn, do the brakes work properly.
Is there a lot of movement in the chassis.
And you might want to replace the rear wheels with new foam filled ones which won't puncture.

I'm using an old Frog carrycot/seat with a new Cameleon chassis and brand new wheels, front and back. Those are the bits that count and it works out cheaper if you mix and match - what parts you can live with second hand and what you will want to have working as reliably as possible.

The parts should match up and all spares are generally still available, so see what she wants for it.