Recieved Petite Star Zia today- can anyone convince me not to return it ???

[Lolasmummie]

I am so dissapointed!! I spent ages on the internet looking for a new, lightweight pushchair for 6m/old to replace our huge bulky M&P pram. After hours of thought and reading lots of good reviews i decided to get the Zia (did want the Zapp but lack of recline put me off).
It has been delivered today and on first impressions i am really dissapointed with it.
The backrest is my main issue - It seems so so flimsy. It adjusts with a plastic clip like the sort you get on harnesses/bags etc to make straps smaller and works by pulling the plastic in the actual backrest together to make it go upright or if you loosen the clip the seat will recline (sorry haven't really explained that terribly well!Lets just say it works rather flimsily).

I don't know if perhaps all buggies backrests work in this way and maybe ive just become use to the sturdy M&P backrests which has a special lever/handle thingy to adjust into a set number of positions.
Because of the way that the backrest adjusts the seat itself seems rather unstable and wobbly.

Please be honest with me, am i just being a M&P Standards snob? Or is this a flimsy buggy with far too many unhonest reviews?!?
Also , this isn't really a huge issue for me but this buggy does say it is suitable from birth - But it doesn't recline flat. I thought all buggies had to be totally flat if they were to be suitable from birth.

If i do send it back, as i think i will do, what is similair that i could replace it with? As i mentioned, i do like the Zapp but that is no good as it doesn't recline.

Please help !!!

Thanks!

Haven't seen the Zia so couldn't comment, but several buggies recline wih the plastic clippy things that you mention.

Haven't used them though.

Sorry, pointless post.............!!

Everyone seems to have a maclaren!! Guess thats got to be a good sign. I did look at those but they don't look as comfy or sturdy as something like a Zia or Zapp, even though they are a similair price.
I think im just being too fussy

I think that the recline is like on my pop mayb and I actually prefer it as can choose the angle and is less clunk clunk in slots? All the other buggies of that size have even less of a recline I think (Spider, Zapp, Verve) so you may be better off with a Mclren stroller type or if if have bigger budget I quite liked the Buggster or Micralite but they don't fold as small!

We had the m&p and tekno.

The m&p I loved because it is so comfy and nice looking but was too bulky after a while and got on my nerves so when DD got to about 12 months I bought the tekno. Its a nice buggy, light, easy to manovere but isnt as comfy and warm looking, but yet is good for holidays etc

When I had DS I got a m&p pramette which gave me the combo of a buggy and pram and at 18 months ds still looks comfy in it. That said I was thinking of getting the zia star for holidays for him as the zapp didnt recline.

I think no matter what pram you get there will always be pros and cons to them, why dont you pop to a buggy shop before sending the zia back and see if you like any others better.

My Maclaren Quest was brilliant for my DS - he used it from 9 months old until 4 years old. His proper Maclaren cosytoes lasted until he was 3.5!

It was the only buggy he would sleep in (other than his original pram) as it was so comfy for him. When he was little, I used to keep the back part of the cosytoes on at all times (easier to wash!)

Personally, I'd pay a little extra for the next model up because it has a viewing window and easier to use brakes (unless the new Quest has these things).

I don't think you can beat Maclaren for comfort/lightness and cost

my advice, as an ex buggyholic, is to stop looking for a perfect buggy.

end of.

get one thats good enough - lightweight and easy to handle, comfy enough... and stick with it. the perfect buggy does not exist, and you feel like a rigth saddo when you get past this stage - i promise! i now have gone the other way and use total cheapy strollers... if anything. then again, mine are 2+ now...

i say it kindly; as in, dont waste any more time/energy/money... ime there is no such thing as the buggy that has everything (everything you want, that is.)

I have a Zia and I have Maclaren Techno XT. We were bought the Zia as a present. The Maclaren is my first choice buggy as it is much more sturdy.

The Zia is fine to have in the back of the car for shops days out etc. The zia is small and compact. It is a smoth ride for my ds. I did have to return my first Zia as the clip that unlocked the wheels was particularly sensitive. It was replaced and I haven't had any problems with it. I don't really like how the seat reclines either, it never seems to sit very upright and my sone always lurches forward so he can see properly.

I am a buggy-a-holic so I have had a fair few as well as a M&P Pulse which I liked as well.

The Zia is virtually impossible to push in a straight line outside, it veers badly. Totally impossible to push one-handed. Sold mine & got a Zapp (to keep in car)

No idea what else is good though, sorry.

I sold my Zia because of the back rest, it just didn't seem to sit upright enough for my ds
I ended up with a presto, similar design but much more sturdy

Thanks for all your comments.
I think i need to realise that there just isn't a 'perfect' pushchair

So with that in mind im going to keep the Zia.
I took it out for a walk today - is very nice to push(but you do need to be using both hands)and it is very light. BUT Still not happy about the backrest - Wendy i see what you mean about the backrest not going very upright. Tis fine for a baby but cant imagine a toddler being too impressed. does yours recline to lay flat??