Does my dream pushchair exist?

Xaniwoop

I need a new buggy (have totally worn away the back wheels on my Chicco Winter from too much walking) but I have a list of specific needs which are making it hard for me to work out which pushchair would be best for me. I'm really hoping someone can suggest some ideas because my DH doesn't want to spend all weekend trawling baby shops test driving - I need a handful of possibilities I can locate, see in the flesh and then try and buy secondhand. I have £50-£100 to spend.

The main thing I want is a pushchair that can face forwards or backwards as my DD2 doesn't talk much and I want to encourage her by talking as much as I can. She's nearly 2 so anything that only faces the parent in a carrycot/carseat won't work.

I have two children, one in the buggy, one on a buggy board which I think limits me to a two handled pushchair. During the week I walk or use buses so it needs to be as light and compact as possible although when we do use the car at weekends we have a huge boot. I would like to have a third baby at some point so it needs to be suitable from birth (though since that won't be for some time I could use something with a separate carrycot perhaps). Can you see why I'm struggling?!

I've found the Maxi Cosi Loola which i think may work - does anyone have any experiences with this? - there are loads on ebay so its either popular or useless (or both!).

last question is where is the best place to buy/sell a second hand pushchair as I need to sell my cossato double buggy to fund this one!

thanks in advance - hope you aren't drowning in information

Fizzpop

The loolas are nice but heavy, as are the pliko switch but i like this one lol... errrm britax does a 3 wheeler i think its a high trek that faces both ways and is nice to push not sure if its 2 handles though errrm

Otherwise i dont think a perfect pushchair does exist tbh ive lost count of the ammount of prams and pushchairs ive had now xx

pigpen

loola is horrid I had one for 6 weeks. it doesn't fold wih the seat parent facing it is realy heavy and is difficult to tip to get up kerbs etc.. or that may be because I am short.

Pliko pramette faces oth ways in pushchair mode i believe.. I love the pliko.. def. my favourite!! also it has a bit for older children to stand on built in.. mine went on there until they were 6 so it is fairly hardwearing.

Xaniwoop

I like Pliko but according to the M&P website it's only forward facing as a pramette not a pushchair grrr If I have to give up my forward facing dream I think I'm going with that. The M&P switch would work but looks harder to find second hand. i'm going to try and test drive this if I can find somewhere that stocks it nearby.

I'm sad the Loola is heavy, I'm pretty short too but i might give it a go in the shop from pure wishful thinking - perhaps I'm stronger than I think...ha!

GobbledyGook

What about a Petite Star Kurvi? It doesn't have 2 handles, but I have used a buggy board with it (although I only used mine every now and again). It's reversible and suitable from birth.

Also if you are willing to take a chance you can order a reworked one from nurseryvalue.com . The one I had was brand new, but had 1 brand name label missing!! Instead of £350 it cost £80. A friend of mine got one that was officially "seconds", but it was basically brand new and had a tiny wee scratch on the inside of the frame under the seat. You had to take the seat off and actively look for it to notice it was there. If you are not happy with the product you can send it back within 7 days. It's well worth looking at imo.

Edited to add - you can have a play with a Kurvi 3 or 4 in most mothercares.

Fizzpop

There is a few m&p switches on ebay, but best to try first

nervousftb_3

I don't know what your budget is like but if you want your dream pushchair I would suggest the Stokke Explory:

http://www.stokke.com/en-gb/stroller/xplory-features/newborn-from-birth.aspx

Ridiculously expensive (I think the basic model is somewhere around £650ish) but has all the features you mentioned! If you are planning on using it for more than one child it may be worth the investment.

My sister has one (generous gift from grandparents!) and it is brilliant. Pushchair can face forwards or backwards and you can adjust the height so they can be really close up to you if you want. It folds pretty easily and is reasonably light and easy to transport. Carrycot/carseat/pushchair seat all click on and off really easily.

Luckily if I have children I get to inherit it :j

EDIT: sorry I am a complete doofus and didn't notice your budget was in the OP!!! But this info might be helpful to someone else reading the thread... sorry!!

lauradawson

I have just bought Silver Cross Surf that seems to have all of the features you require. I've yet to use it as baby not due for another fortnight, but seems okay to me. Not sure how cheaply could pick one up second hand though.