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Pushchairs

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Original poster

New uppababy vista or 2nd hand icandy strawberry?

25 replies

duende · 31/03/2013 11:51

I went to john Lewis yesterday to have a look at these two. I really like them both. Vista seems a lovely buggy, great quality, great carrycot and basket, and I liked the height of the seat.
The strawberry seems more compact when folded and I liked the one hand fold.

However, I got home and measured our hallway and there is one bit there which is only 61 cm wide, the vista is 63.5
I don't know if I will manage to tilt it a bit to get it in, folding it every time would be too much faff.
I worry that I'll buy it and it will be too big :(

The strawberry is a bit narrower but £200 more expensive, I don't know if I am comfortable spending his much.
Would you get a second hand strawberry? Or a new vista and hope for the best?

I really don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Rockchick1984 · 31/03/2013 13:28

Have you had a look to see how much you could pick up a second hand strawberry for? I know there's never any locally to me, as they are a relatively new model. What was it that appealed to you about them both? I personally wouldn't get one that didn't fit into my hallway!

Original poster
duende · 31/03/2013 15:11

What i like about them:
Both take a maxi cosi car seat which I already have
Long telescopic handle
Can be pushed with one hand
Seat faces both directions
Nice carrycots
Good build quality

Not sure if I could get a second hand strawberry locally or how much for.

OP posts:
Rockchick1984 · 31/03/2013 15:24

You could probably get a second hand iCandy Peach for the same price or less than a new Vista, and I think they are only 60cm wide.

Tiggywunkle · 31/03/2013 21:28

The older colours of the Peach are also being heavily discounted at present too. I prefer the Peach to the Strawberry mainly because the basket is better. The Strawberry fold is long too.

Ihateparties · 31/03/2013 21:51

I don't know what you should get but I would definitely advise against buying one that doesn't fit in your house, whatever that may be. I have done this in the past and it is beyond annoying.

Have you discounted a BJ Versa? I know it doesn't have a telescopic handle but it's otherwise fairly fabulous.

Original poster
duende · 31/03/2013 22:05

I thought all the icandy products were sold at list prices everywhere? Where can I get the peach discounted?
I like the fact that the strawberry folds with the seat attached, I'm really not keen on two piece folds.

I did consider the versa too, but the carrycot doesn't look very sturdy/ comfortable?

OP posts:
Ihateparties · 31/03/2013 22:21

Hmmm it's different to the Vista one that's for sure, I kind of see what you mean now you have said it. I don't think it's bad though, the vista one is particularly nice imho.

Tiggywunkle · 31/03/2013 23:29

It is only the old colours that iCandy are allowing to be sold off more cheaply. You need to have a phone round of retailers, or check out the iCandy Facebook wall for more information.
I thought I would like the one piece fold of the Strawberry, but it has too many disadvantages for me - mainly the very large folded size and the more shallow basket - and I have reverted back to my beloved Peach again.

Dont discount the Versa. The carrycot seemed fine to me, and you can always add a sheepskin to it should you wish. If you are interested in the Versa, then have a look at this because the two are side by side here.

Tiggywunkle · 31/03/2013 23:30

Oh and I agree - you wont find a nicer carrycot than the Vista one - although the June one is also fab. However you have to put the carrycot stage into perspective with overall longevity of use of the pushchair. So look beyond that, to what works best for you in pushchair mode.

Brugmansia · 01/04/2013 08:14

I have a strawberry and so far am loving it, although only used it with the carry cot at present. It's nice and maneuverable and the folding mechanism is fantastic. Personally I didn't like the peach when we looked in the shop as it felt bigger unfolded.

We bought the main pushchair new but the carry cot second hand. We picked one up on Gumtree for £70. I've seen them quite regularly on eBay too. I'm pretty sure the total doing it this way was pretty similar to the vista price (although I didn't compare as I'd already discounted it due to the size).

We figured it was worth having the warrantee for the pushchair so buying new. The carrycot seemed disproportionately expensive given that it's only in use for a short while and there was no need for it to be new.

Original poster
duende · 01/04/2013 11:47

ihateparties and tiggy, have you used the versa with the carrycot? I struggle to even find any photos of it with the carrycot attached, and haven't found any reviews that would talk about it.
I agree I have to put this into perspective though, will only be using the carrycot for so long.

brugsmania thanks for your feedback, and yes, buying only the carrycot second hand (if I can find one) sounds like a great idea. I wouldn't really want to spend £400 on so,etching second hand that will not be covered by warranty.

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 01/04/2013 17:23

I have had my 2 year old in the carrycot on the Versa if that helps! I have had a play independently as well.
There's some photos here and here with the carrycot on the Versa and the Versa GT. Its the same carrycot. To be honest there isn't much to say about it. Its a carrycot. It seems comfy and can be carried and attaches easily. I have to say, I am not particularly fussy about a carrycot unless its a bad one!

Original poster
duende · 01/04/2013 20:11

Interesting, tiggy. And tempting. What's the build quality and the fabrics like? And what's it like to push, in comparison to the strawberry?

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 01/04/2013 21:09

Of the Versa - I love the Baby Joggers. It hasn't been plain sailing for them however the customer service is generally excellent and all issues have been sorted.
The Strawberry feels lighter to push, but the Versa isnt far behind - not enough to really quibble over. The fabrics on the Versa are unlike anything else I have seen. They have a sheen to them. They are hard wearing though. The seat is huge with really good leg length.
I really really like the Strawberry, but the folded length meant it filled my car boot up, and the basket squishes down the more you put in it, so that things fall out which drove me potty. I like that you can tow the Strawberry and it freestands though. I love the Strawberry look more than the Versa, but the Versa is simply more practical in every day life for us. We often have the basket and mesh pocket full with picnics, shopping, changing bag, coats etc etc.

Original poster
duende · 01/04/2013 21:59

tiggy, you're a nightmare. If I came to a pushchair store run by you I would have just left £1300 lighter but equipped with two prams!
Seriously though, do you or ihateparties work in the pushchair business?
And what happened to the pushchair shed??

OP posts:
TinyTear · 02/04/2013 09:55

I love my Vista and the carrycot is brilliant, we used it as a moses basket for night sleep for the first 3 months of my daughter's life...

But if it won't fit, and you think you would get annoyed having to fold it all the time, then don't get it... I live in a top floor flat so have to fold it every day to take up and down stairs but i knew what I was getting into

Tiggywunkle · 02/04/2013 15:35

Duende Parties and I are just two pushchair nutty mothers!

Who had the pushchair shed? I had to move house because the pushchairs had taken over my baby son's room, and by the age of 2 years and 3 months it was about time he had a room of his own!!

Original poster
duende · 02/04/2013 17:35

Ladies, you have made me rule out the vista on the basis of the size.
So it's now between the strawberry (looks better! Nicer carrycot, easy to push) and the versa (seems a bit more practical and cheaper). Can't make up my mind :(

tiggy pushchair shed used to be a running chat thread within pushchairs if I remember correctly, when I had DS 3.5 years ago.
I also remember MNetters used to sell and buy pushchairs on here a lot. N accessories.

OP posts:
Ihateparties · 02/04/2013 19:22

I have heard of this ^ and people do still mention it but I thought it was longer ago than 3-4 years. There must still be people about though as it is mentioned every now and again.

I like the look of the strawberry, it seems more compact open but that may be perception.. but I could not in any way shape or form live with that basket. It's way way too shallow. Usually I don't much care one way or another but recently saw one in action whilst waiting in argos and realised just how shallow and odd shaped it really is.

Is the cruz discounted already? How long do you have, long enough to wait for the new june come summer time?

Original poster
duende · 02/04/2013 23:39

parties baby due in July, but I think the June will be too expensive for me.
I really want to go and see the versa in flesh now. Boots are selling it for £350 at the moment, very tempting...

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 03/04/2013 00:25

There will be points on this, plus cash back via various sites...and there's often discount codes as well!

Original poster
duende · 03/04/2013 13:02

Rrrright. Couldn't help myself and ordered the versa in black. Can't wait to get it! You've convinced me. Shame you two don't get commission! ( paid in buggies ;))
I've read another review of the strawberry mentioning wheels getting clogged up with leaves, smallish seat and silly bumper bar on the carrycot.
And another 5 glowing reviews of the versa.

Now point me in the direction of a pretty liner/ cosy toes that would fit, please!

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 03/04/2013 16:04

LOL wouldn't it be great to be paid commission in pushchairs...that would be cool :)
I need a Silvercross Wayfarer, a Britax Affinity and an Easywalker June Mini if anyone wants to send me one Wink

Just to set the record straight, the Strawberry seat is not small - but it does have a puffy liner which makes it look small. I wish it had a swing away bumper bar, and yes the wheels aren't the best when you get off a pavement.

As for a liner or footmuff. There is a Versa footmuff which apparently fits well. Otherwise I would think most universal footmuffs would fit well - look for a rounded shape at the bottom rather than a long thing kaiser type. I have had a Bugaboo, a Snunkie, a Buggysnuggle and a 7AM Enfant Igloo footmuffs on mine. John Lewis usually have nice footmuffs or look at Elodie Details too. Liners are harder. They probably are best made to fit from someone like Snunkie or RoRo Taggie designs, or else again look for a rounded shape one. I would think the Bugaboo ones would work or that sort of shape.
To be honest, your best bet is to head for an independent pram shop once the Versa arrives and have a play with liners out of their various pushchairs.

Original poster
duende · 03/04/2013 17:30

tiggy roro designs is exactly what I was looking for, but for some reason I was only finding people based in Australia...thanks!

I wonder sometimes, how did I ever manage to spend an money before mumsnet??

OP posts:
Npie · 08/04/2013 09:05

Morning, I have the icandy strawberry and love it, with regards to what put you off of the strawberry (the wheels) I have never had this and I have now used my strawberry in summer and winter (not a fan of the winter may I add lol!) I have taken my pushchair out into woodlands, in town and on the bus :) The one fold has been amazing! Also when I went pram shopping the strawberry was only £80 more than the vista so I would love to know where your store got the amount from??!! I also found out the vista could only fold in forward facing whereas the strawberry can fold in any way. Me personally didn't get along well with the versa but I hope you have fun with yours when it arrives :)

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