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Original poster

Bugaboo or Maclaren?

16 replies

Pinchypants · 13/03/2006 14:04

Helloo! Am trying to get my head round all the different options for prams/pushchairs/buggies before our first nipper is born this summer.

A couple of friends have loved the Bugaboo, but say it is quite bulky when folded (and tricky to fold?) and I only have a little Saxo car. One advantage may be that the Maxi Cosi car seat fits on the chassis. But it is really expensive.

At the other end of the price scale, everyone eventually seems to get a Maclaren Techno XT, as far as I can gather, but is this really suitable from birth? Looks light, folds easily etc.

Can anyone help me decide which to go for? In-laws have very kindly offered to pay, and they do like the Bugaboo, but I don't want to get something too 'gimmicky' and then be buying the Maclaren by Christmas...Likewise, don't want to regret not getting the Bugaboo if it is truly fab.

Any views warmly welcomed!
Pinchy xx

OP posts:

LIZS · 13/03/2006 14:09

Trouble is you are not comparing like with like. Bugaboo and more expensive pushcairs in general have other features such as option of forward and rear facing seat, carrycot, more substantial wheels and frame, softer suspension etc. There is a Maclaren which takes a car seat too.

bakedpotato · 13/03/2006 14:09

My neighbours bought a Bugaboo. Six months later, they bought a Techno XT because Bugaboo was such a struggle to stow in/remove from car boot

bakedpotato · 13/03/2006 14:10

and yes Techno Xt goes flat for newborn

pootlepod · 13/03/2006 14:13

Prams/pushchairs depend on your lifestyle TBH.

Do you walk/use the car more often? What size is your car boot? What space have you got to store it? Do you need a large shopping basket?

Tutter · 13/03/2006 14:14

hi pinchy. there's a veritable army of bugaboo haters on mn, and no doubt they'll be along soon to tell you how chavvy, overpriced, naff (delete as applicable) it is. but i have one (a cameleon) and love it. second hand frogs are coming down in price quickly on ebay as they are now no longer available (replaced by the cameleon), so you could always get a used one if you're worried about price. when folded it is definitely not bulky - folds flat and compact - a lot neater than many of the umbrella-folding type prams. other advantages: baby can face you or away from you, easy to switch from lie-flat to sitting up, carrycot can be used as an overnight bed when they are teeny, easy to plus the maxicosi into the chassis. why don't you pop along to a mothercare/john lewis and try one out? compare with a maclaren or M&P to see if it's worth spending the extra. good luck!

geekgrrl · 13/03/2006 14:16

oh yes, just read an article in yesterday's independent about how crazy people go when spending on their baby, and what a spectacular waste of money the bugaboo is, mainly because of its bulkiness.

Personally, after three children and about 10 pushchairs I'd say that M&P Plikos are by far the best. Comfy, v. versatile and will last until you don't need a buggy anymore. And if you have a second child they all have a lovely built-in step (like a buggy board) - very useful.

Tutter · 13/03/2006 14:18

i originally had a pliko and sold it to get the bugaboo

Original poster

Pinchypants · 13/03/2006 14:20

I read that feature in the Indie too, geek grl, and that's what got me thinking about whether we really need to spend all that money on a Bugaboo! But I agree that LIZS that I'm obviously not comparing like with like. I have a small car and have to drive into Guildford to go shopping, so need it to be light and portable, but live in countryside so need something that can cope with paths and grass, too.

We definitely have to go and try a selection of these things out, I think! Looks like we will be in John Lewis this Friday afternoon...

Thank you everyone for your quick and thoughtful responses - much appreciated.
Pinchy xx

OP posts:

Mazzystar · 13/03/2006 14:24

i love my bugaboo frog (and i consider myself deeply unchavvy). its had daily use for 17 months and is still going strong. its very manouverable, lightweight, and not remotely bulky. it goes on any terrain (beach walks, this weekends snow) and its relatively compact. i think it was worth every penny.

my only criticism is the basket thing is rubbish.

pootlepod · 13/03/2006 16:56

I have two prams, a stroller for shopping and a three wheeler for long walks. I tend to use them about 60/40, so getting both was sensible. Most prams don't fit all the criteria so it can be worth thinking about getting 2.

SilverLining · 13/03/2006 17:12

Another vote here for Bugaboo - I love mine - its the best pram I've ever used (had a few!) and I walk a lot in the week and use the car at weekends and its perfect for both!

Have actually had women at school saying its worth another baby to get the pram!!! and I'm never short of volunteers to push it for me!

Stilltrue · 13/03/2006 17:18

Since it's being offered to you, why don't you get the Bugaboo (after trying in shop, or even better going out with a friend who has one). You could always get a maclaren later from kiddicare or even ebay. It's so hard to predict your needs before the baby's born, but personally I value face to face contact/ a carrycot for really little babies.

jane313 · 13/03/2006 18:03

geekgrrl. Is the built in step on the pilko you mention an official thing? or just somewhere they can balance? They don't mention on their website.

sorry for the thread hijack?

TuttiFrutti · 14/03/2006 10:32

Another vote for the Bugaboo. I love my Frog and the only 2 disadvantages are (1) the price and (2) the basket underneath is too small to carry much shopping.

I have a Mini and the Bugaboo fits easily in the boot (that's with back seat down - nothing fits in boot of a Mini otherwise!). It is really comfortable for the baby and very versatile (can be forward- or rear-facing, different positions, etc).

bosscat · 14/03/2006 10:34

I wouldn't recommend the McLaren from birth and I've had 2 of them. You need a good solid pram for a new born and whatever you get you'll end up eventually with a lighter pushchair. Get yourself the Bugaboo or opt for a Mamas and Papas one and resign yourself to the fact you'll be buying a little umbrella buggy when they are 12 - 18 months anyway. They just can't compare, the McLaren's are so light and easy and user friendly but just aren't what you need right now.

Original poster

Pinchypants · 14/03/2006 10:41

Thank you all so much - getting the Bugaboo now and supplementing with the Maclaren a few months later sounds like the best solution - as a few of you have said, there's no one product that can do everything!
Will copy DH into this post to get 'buy in' and so he can confirm to his parents that his spoilt wife is indeed likely to go for the Bugaboo after a shop visit to try it out...
Pinchy xx

OP posts:

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