Does this buggy exist?

[SerenaJoy]

DC2 is 4 weeks, and DC1 is 2.5. DC1 is generally a good walker but can be a bit of a bolter, so I think I'm going to have to get a double to give me the option of keeping him contained safe.

It needs to be suitable from birth for DC2, and be able to take a tall-for-his-age, sturdy toddler. It also has to fit in our boot, which isn't huge. I don't think I'll get all that much use out of it so I don't want to spend too much - £200 tops. Second hand would be fine.

So far I've been looking at the Phil and Ted's one where the older kid sits in the shopping basket, and the My Child Sienta Duo (because it's cheap, folds up quite small, and you can buy it on amazon).

Any others that might do? Am I looking for a mythical buggy that doesn't exist except in my dreams?

Bumping for morning crowd

Any ideas anyone?

Is there a kiddiecare near you? They usually have a vast display of buggies you can go and look at.

Which Phil and Ted's are you looking at?

Out'n'About nipper. It's strong, easy to push and I used mine until DT were almost 3. The seats are well separated so toddler can't prod baby.

I loved our double out n about. Superb to push, easy to fold and gets through most doors even as a side by side double.

Also take a look at the double baby jogger. We have the single version and that's pretty good.

I had a bolter too, by the way. It passes! :-)

For this price there isn't huge amount... second hand Phil and teds, umbrella tandem (which I think would be hard going with a heavy toddler at the front). A joovy won't work because your baby is too young. Have you seen the sit down buggyboard like the easy x rider? Otherwise you might be as well to get a used baby jogger double or red kite twini, something like that and accept the width in exchange for the easier pushing and strapped in toddler

I mention those two side by sides because I know personally the city mini double fits in a yaris boot and if the twini folds like the single red kite I currently have then it would probably work in a small car too.

Nipper great to use but def try in boot if serious contender and fitting in car is important as it's a bit bulky folded.

Nipper might be too big for your boot. I'd go for a second hand umbrella tandem, maclaren type, I got mine for £50 off of eBay and it lasted me for as long as I needed then I chucked it.

I have bought two Phil&Teds doubles, complete with rain covers etc for £100 or less both times.

No idea how they fit in a small boot - i don't drive but the few times we've had lifts/hired cars, we haven't had trouble.

Go to a shop with a range of possibilities to look at, decide which suits you best, then scour eBay. There's usually plenty on there. You may not get the exact model you are after, but you will probably get something close reasonably easily.

Another vote for the Babyjogger city mini double. I have a similar age gap between mine, and we still use it occasionally now they're 18 months and almost 4 (although both dds are small). As others have said, it fits thorough most door ways (I often thought it wouldn't, but it surprises you!). So easy to fold, and the advantage of side by side is you still have a shopping basket. I had reservations about dd2 sitting in that sort of seat so young, but I needn't have worried, she was fine. She was a summer baby, so we had a sheepskin liner for her, but for winter, I'd suggest getting the footmuff, then they're all neatly enclosed.

We paid 300 pounds for a new looking second hand one, so you might just get a slightly more used one for 200 pounds.

Sorry I should have said I think I'd prefer an in-line one than the side by side style. DS1 is quite tall so I thought the umbrella fold kind might be a bit unwieldy? They're much cheaper though, so attractive for that reason

The P&T I've been looking at is the Vibe I think? I quite like the look of the Britax b dual (and there's a few on eBay that look good). Has anyone had an Adventure Buggy?

No Kiddicare I can visit unfortunately - might drag DH to Mothercare or Toys R Us at the weekend to try some in person.

Thanks for all the responses - v helpful

Side by sides get mentioned with bigger children cos they're often easier to handle. I prefer inline too but it's more complicated, esp with a baby under 6 months. With a p&t and children the age of yours your elder child would sit on top in the add on seat with the baby fully reclined underneath in the main seat. In theory you then switch at six months but often the baby is too big to fit in that configuration so in reality sooner.

If you want your elder one in the lower seat then an oyster max does that. You could also do it with a Jane twone using a carseat. Ditto hauck free rider. The obaby zezu multi has carrycot on top for a baby and choice of rear seat or integral board for the elder one. More like 300 than 200 but looks practical for siblings.

If you won't use it every day then an umbrella fold tandem is probably the easiest assuming they're not too long for your boot.

I was in the same boat a year ago. Luckily I had the baby jogger citi select which I like but its big. After buying the thing I would never buy another stroller new. Its a fab stroller (best basket I have seen) but stupidly expensive.

I use a Maclaren single that I got 2nd hand for $60 from an expat here with DD in reins (the cheaper ones from John Lewis are fab) or I use the citi select with both seats. If I were to do it again I would get the maclaren double. I don't like that the macalren has no basket so I put the diaper bag on the back making it a little unstable. I can get a Maclaren double for $100 2nd hand which is a far better deal then buying the citi select for $500+ 2nd hand.

The citi mini double looks great and friends with twins all use the bob double.

Oh crikey there are too many to choose from! So far the Baby Jogger City Select is ticking all the boxes but its looking too expensive. I'll check out some of the other suggestions tomorrow.

DS2 will be walking by the time I get one at this rate...

Here in the US the citi select 2010 model has a soft back to the seats and sells for much less than the later models even though it is exactly the same. If you get this one all you need to do is call the company and they will send you a plastic board that goes into the back of the seat to make the seat straight. The 2011 model with all the extras goes for around $600 2nd hand but the 2010 goes for around $250-300. That would work for your budget.

I wish I had known this before I bought my new 2011 one. I paid $980 for a new with all the extras (had coupons) when I could have had the 2010 one for $350. So cross with myself.

DD is a bolter and I swear by the John Lewis reins. They work like magic. DD will ask for them if she wants to go out for a walk!

Have you looked at a second hand city select? There is a group on fb, you might find one close to your budget, I have one, its great, I love it

The Sienta Duo is really long when folded. As for an Adventure Buggy - you need a huge boot for that! I have to say, I think you will need to throw a little more money at your budget to get into the range of a decent pushable tandem. The B-Dual is probably the cheapest tandem there is, but its whether it will fit into your boot. I think with your son being already 2.5, I would be trying a pushchair with a board - something like an Oyster with their board, or encouraging him to Scoot and pull him along when tired.

I found a vibe quite manageable with a pair of large toddlers, but never tried it with a newborn. I don't like three wheelers though, so might consider a verve this time (four wheel version). Vibe does fold quite compactly, even with the second seat on, but the seat is very easily removable and the wheels click off in seconds and back on again in seconds to make it smaller.

I also have a bolter (nearly three) and I'm hoping against all the odds he will be better at walking by the time I have DC3 in September. Reins are a nightmare - he just sits on the floor and screams at me in fury. Normally very sweet tempered, but if I want to go anywhere he has to be in a pushchair.