Uppababy Cruz or Vista? or something else?

[eurochick]

So we went to John Lewis yesterday thinking we had narrowed our choice to a Baby Jogger or the Oyster 2 and ended up not loving either! The Oyster was not very manoeuverable and didn't feel very sturdy, and the carrycot for the BJ was very small (and doesn't parent face apart from with the carrycot).

So after looking at everything they had, we are now between the Uppababy Cruz and Vista. In the shop we thought we would probably go for the Cruz. I have a general dislike of big buggies and we live in London and I have concerns about the width on public transport. However, the reviews of the Cruz seem to say that it gives a very bumpy ride and can be uncomfortable to push. If anyone has it, is it really that bad?

I think we have had a good look around, but if there is anything I haven't thought of, please let me know! Our requirements are:
-suitable for london living, public transport;
-parent facing option
-takes Maxi Cosi car seat
-suitable from birth (with carrycot is fine)
-not daftly expensive as I see us using slings more than the buggy.

Thank you!

I can't comment on the Cruz as it wasn't out when we bought our Vista, but I have to say that I LOVE MY VISTA. Yes I do. I live in zone 1 and take it on buses all the time (not the tube though, although I wouldn't take any pushchair on the tube because any pushchair is going to be heavy when you have to lug it up and down the stairs with a baby/child in it). I do have to take it through the centre doors but I've never had a problem with that. On some of the new buses you can take it in the front doors. It's a fabulously smooth ride, it turns on a sixpence, I don't find it that heavy, and the basket is a phenomenon unto itself. I also love the height, keeping your baby away from London bus and car exhausts.

It is 'daftly expensive' though. However, it's been used virtually every day for almost 3 years. I worked out recently that it's cost me about 50p a day so far and I expect to be using it for at least another 2 with DS2. You can get second hand ones for around £300 on ebay I think.

Buy a Vista. Secretly, you know you want to.

On the slings issue, be prepared for your baby not to like a sling. DS2 loves the sling, but DS1 wasn't so keen. Slings also aren't great for when you need to carry anything. If you have more than one child, then a sling + the Vista can be a great combo.

I love my cruz! Can't recommend it highly enough. So easy to use car seat or switch to carrycot or then onto pushchair section. Such a smooth ride, manoeuvring corners is excellent. My partner even comments on how good it is! Shopping basket is an amazing size. I don't drive so it holds my shopping easily with some room to spare. The adjustable handle height is amazing. My partner and I are both tall so its great for us as some travel systems are quite low but the fact that it can adjust is good when my parents have need to use it for the day. I think the only real difference between cruz and vista is size of the wheels. I personally didn't like the big back wheels and felt it was a lot bulkier and heavier when folded down. Doesn't matter so much to me since I don't drive but the carrying it up and down 2 flights of stairs every day made me go for the cruz. I would definitely recommend the cruz to anyone and if anything happened to mine I'd be devastated but go right back out and get another one!

Thanks both.

It's great to hear that you love your Cruz and that the ride is smooth. I think out of the two it is the most suitable for our lifestyle but I was a bit concerned about the reviews saying it gave a bumpy ride and was hard to push as a result.

Did you look at the baby jogger versa? Parent faces all the way through, and still has a one handed fold. Admittedly is more in the league of the oyster 2 for weight and size than the city mini though. And the carrycot is probably similar sized.
I'm looking at virtually the same options as you. I discounted the Cruz for the hard ride reasons but thought also it didn't seem that much lighter or less bulky than the vista. If the vista fits though the door and in the hall of the house we are buying unfolded with carrycot on, I think I'll be getting that, but we'll be in a big town rather than London and not using public transport much. Once you're at stroller stage they're probably much of a muchness but I just love the vista carrycot....

The baby jogger has one of the biggest seats and weight limits on the market. I love mine.

On the sling thing check out a local sling library/meet to try some out and find what's best for you as not all are comfy for everyone.