Calling Buggy / pushchair experts!! Advice needed

[peachygirl]

I?m now 26 weeks pregnant and need advice about pushchairs/ buggies.
We probably won?t be buying it until early Jan but I?m getting in a bit of a tizz researching them all.

This is what I want?..
Lightweight
Long-lasting,
Good value for money
Rear facing (at least at first)
Be able to put a car seat on to it.

Originally I was very keen on the Silver Cross 3D but I think this is too heavy and the car seat doesn't seem to last as long as some of the others on the market.
I also quite like the look at the M and P Quattro with the carry cot.
The micralite looks interesting but several people on here seem to suggest it is not too robust.
I have also looked at Maclarens (as everyone seems to end up with one anyway and there are attachment you can get to make the techno XLR into a travel system but it doesn't have that rear facing option
So come on buggy experts, can I have your opinions?
Then you can all give me a slap for being so obsessed by this.

whats your budget? how big does it have to be (ie size of car boot), how funky does it have to be?

up to about £400, My car is a skoda fabia, (boot is quite big)
Not too bothered about funkiness

brand new or 2nd hand?

brand new.

ok, m+p prammette.

It's quite heavy though at 10.6 Kg compared to 8.2 for the quattro or 7.7 for the maclaren. Then you have to add about 3kgs for the car seat.
How sad am I????

hmmm the quatrro uses the same frame as the pramette, so no idea why its heavier tbh.

now thats sad, knowing that fact

I think the seat base for the pramette is heavier. The buggy in the quattro set is more like a 'normal' lighter buggy if that makes sense

i'd go for the quatrro tbh.

i just sold a pliko and carrycot. its very cosy and snug. perfect for jan baby.

I went through three pushchairs in first 2 years, the best one was a Gracco Bear in the end, I didnt want a gracco one at first because they seemed to be everywhere and quite cheap which put me off but I was so pleased with mine in the end.
I first had a mothercare three wheeler which was really heavy, awkward to get around shops etc in and took up practically all of the boot space
I got rid of it within about 4 months of having my dd

then I had a M and P Country trekerr or something like that as everyone recommended M and P to me. It was a lovely pushchair and beautiful quality but so bulky and complicated I found It actually put me of going out!
I then got a Hauck which was quite cheap and rubbish
In the end I got a fairly high up the range Gracco off Ebay and it was lovly, plush and soft for my dd, collapsed in half with a simple clasp, was fairly light and really easy to push around places, I would thoroughly reccommend it

I agree the loola does look heavy. I'm only 4"11 so don't want a big thing. I can also see myself getting cross with a heavy buggy and then buying another which I would rather avoid,

I'd say forget about the rearfacing business and go with the maclaren - much cheaper

Or get a bugaboo

if you want rear facing for "at least at first" then any lightweight stroller which has ability to clip on a car seat will do that for you (car seat faces backwards)

i wish there were more rear-facing options!! i much prefer it.

i dont like the idea of young baby always in a car seat, sorry.

bugaboo is a good option, but hard pushed to get one under £400

isn't it better for the baby to be flat at first? or is that just adding to the problems of buying the perfect buggy.

ah yes, the Bugaboo. think they're a bit ugly really. (sorry if offending bugaboo fans)

most good stroller?systems will lie almost flat anyway

peachygirl, i also like babies to lie as flat asw possible when tiny. even now dd3 is 20months old i lie her seat to be able to lie flat when she dozes off and for her to face me.

Where in the UK are you peachy?
I've seen 2nd hand bugaboos on nappyvalley for less than 400

m&p pramette all the way.
baby faces you till they are bigger.
you can clip car seat on- but baby should not sit in car seat for longer than 3 hours at any one time tops.
very sturdy- have pushed 5 year old round costco in one with no probs- dont ask!!
have had 3! just love them! currently have an optic one.
excellent raincover.
i think they are around £400ish (?) brand new but it depends also on what fabric you go for. if you go for a limited edition it is more expensive but you tend to be more unique then- mine is the only optic i have seen in my town!
you can get them on ebay for £40ish up but a 40 pounder would probably be hanging, they hold their value quite well.

I'm in lovely croydon!
Misdee do you have a pramette then? Does your 20 month old still fit in the pram part?

Thanks everyone I really appreciate this advice

i would add the pliko is quite heavy but does have a handle to help you get in the car. i think all its other features outweigh this by miles.