Is the Bugaboo Cameleon worth the money?

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

Hi all,

I am off work today feeling absolutely rough so decided to cheer myself up by ordering my pushchair. To make a bad day worse, Johnny Lou-Lou's are out of stock on the one I had my heart set on - the Cameleon Sahara. They have assured me they are getting more in, and to keep an eye on the website.

However, thought it might be sensible to check with you ladies first. I had a rubbish Mothercare cheapy thing with my other two, which I managed with, but it truly was crap. Eventually got a Phil and Ted's which I totally loved, but don't want one of those this time, as am definitely only having one more (wasn't planning on this one! :D)

Anyway, is the Bugaboo Cameleon worth the very hefty price tag? Or is there something better out there? I know the Sahara is even more expensive, but I absolutely love the colours and the little blanket that comes with it, and I am literally not buying anything else for this baby - everything else will be hand-me-downs.

I need something suitable from birth that has the option of a rear-facing or forward-facing seat, something not too uber-ly humungous as I do use public transport quite a lot, and something that looks good and is nice and easy to push for me (5'8) DH and my Dad (both 6'2") and DD (5 foot, although growing all the time).

Thank you in advance :)

[evelynj]

I love mine but bought ex display for under £600, can't remember how much exactly.

I'd recommend that you look for a 2nd hand one tbh as used mine for over 3 years & great but depends if you have the money for it.

I'd quite like a bugaboo bee this time but doubt will get one as even 2nd hand they're £200+

You can get some bargains on eBay/gumtree etc so worth having a look.

Good luck!

[evelynj]

Oh, meant to say only downside for me (apart from folding in 2 parts) is that the brake is rubbish but as long as you're aware of this & don't rely on it, never found it a problem....

[chocolatemartini]

Yes I'd say completely worth the hefty price tag and if you want the Sahara one then you should get it. I wasted loads of money buying cheaper pushchairs that I hated and having to sell them again. I adore my cam, it goes everywhere, copes with all but proper off roading, I get on buses with it, DS sleeps beautifully in it. No niggles at all. It will defo cheer you up

[chocolatemartini]

evelynj in what way is your brake rubbish? Mine's fine (cam3, i think they have improved it over the 2nd gen) although DS did learn to pull it down himself which was a bit annoying while the fascination lasted!

[iclaudius]

Yes and it stops me wasting money in others - yes!

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

Thank you :) LOL chocolate, just reading that has cheered me up :)

Evelynj, thank you - the area I live in is quite flat so shouldn't be too much of a problem. I am definitely buying new, as have had problems with second hand buggies I've bought in the past, and managed to sell my P&T for nearly what I paid for it, even though I had trashed it for two years!

[FeelingHorse]

Total waste of money IMO.

Mine lasted a grand total of a week before I sent it back and ordered an UppaBaby. Best decision I made.

Plus, everyone has a chameleon - how boring!

[RoadToTuapeka]

I loved mine, bought in late 2010 for DS1. No problems with the brake. Only downside was bit big on some buses, made schoolboy error once of getting on from front on one of the single decker buses, oops had to get off at next stop & get on at the back again.
Had to buy double buggy when DS2 arrived but am looking forward to using bugaboo again when DS1 doesn't need wheeling about.
I did wonder whether a bugaboo bee would have been better as folds in one piece, as the chameleon was a pain for folding at DS1 nursery, buggies had to be folded. Ended up buying a Maclaren for nursery days but was awful in the rain (2 hands needed to push unlike chameleon where one handed plus umbrella was a breeze). So maybe keep the bee in mind too.

[BellaVida]

I had Cameleon. It was really light and easy to push. Great for babies ad small toddlers. A bit of a pain having to take it apart to put in the boot and even more of a pain to fly abroad.

When my DD reached 2, she was too big to comfortably use it, so I sold it and got a cheap (but more generous space wise) folding pushchair.

On the plus side, the resell value is good!

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

The Bee seems very low to the ground to me, which puts me off. Won't be going abroad with it (don't do going abroad with v small children).

[evelynj]

No idea what generation mine is-2009 model. The brake seems to only stop one wheel & have never found it great, remember other mums saying the same apart from one who had an earlier version. They are a breeze to handle, just make sure you know how to put them up & down-first time I went to sainsburys I couldn't work it out & spent a long time in the car park getting stressed!

Mine is dark brown & off white, personally I much prefer this to the sand colour one which is quite popular. Make sure you see it & have a good play. My cousin just bought uppababy-looks quite similar but not tried it out.

I'd spend the money on it again, like you say, it keeps it's value & unlike my friends quinny buzz has never had any problems.

Good luck & enjoy!

[chocolatemartini]

Go for it mynameisnotmichaelcaine hope you find a Sahara. I reckon after 2 dc and never having had a pushchair you love it's time you did.

[Tiggywunkle]

If you love the Sahara, then go for it!
The Cameleon is one of the best pushchairs there is. No pushchair is ever absolutely right but the Cam has so many things going for it. Before you finally order it, do make sure you have had a play with a Cam in a shop. Fold it, park it, change the seat round, flip the handle and put it in your car boot. Then if thats ok, go and order your Sahara and enjoy :)

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

Thank you Tiggy, I had a go with my friend's and loved it,I think I was just hesitant because it is so expensive! I have saved the money up from my treats fund (was going to get a Kenwood Chef, but that has gone on hold, along with my career and social life ;))