Can you STAND another stroller question?? -- UPDATE

[Figment&Piglet]

First, is there any decision more taxing (or requiring more research time) than buying a stroller?

I did a search of all the stroller threads (and got lots of great info, BTW!), plus did some research on my own. Can you help narrow down a choice?

Our lightweight (read: cheapo depot) Kolcraft stroller was great in theory (large basket, great adult and child cupholder/trays, etc.), but is really hard to maneuver, squeaks, and our DD who's now going to be 2 (and is almost 30 lbs. and 35") looks "stuffed" into it. In short, I think I cheaped-out.

I want a more durable, better quality, easy-to-push, lightweight (no more than 15lbs.) stoller, but really want the same features, including trays. (Yes, I want the world! ) I'm willing to pay more than the $39.99 we paid for the Kolcraft, but don't want to pay more than $200.

I looked at Peg Perego Aria, which seems perfect? Only pushed it once in the store, though. How does it maneuver in "real life?" anything I should know? I'd want to keep this awhile...

Also saw the Combi Savvy DX online on sale, which looked good but haven't tested it out. Also, Combi's Web site has the Savona (haven't read anything good or bad on this one) and the Ultra Savvy (at $279, a bit too rich for my blood). The other Combis had no trays.

Finally, looked at MacLarens. Seems like everyone who has them loves them, quality and maneuverabilty-wise, but admits no snack/cup holder and tiny baskets are a pain.

Anyone have experience with any of these? What would you do?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Ok, I'm almost embarrased to admit this.......

I've owned most of the ones you're asking about.

The Peg Perego Aria is a nice stroller, however it has a small hood that won't provide much coverage from the sun and the seat has very little padding. The Aria GM is the newest one and it has some improvements but they're still not stellar. There are deals on eBay for the Peg Perego P3 that would bring you in right around $200. The P3 has a much larger hood (it goes all the way down to the tray), more padding, and better recline.

I love the Combi Savvy DX personally, it's a light stroller with a fair amount of features and it will last. It's the only Combi I can comfortably push (I'm 5'11) and at the current sale prices it's a great deal!

Maclarens - oh where to start! I've had several from the Techno XT (love it!) to an older Vogue (hated it!) and a few Volos (they're ok) I have a Rally Twin for the girls - as soon as the other one gets here! They don't have a lot of the extra features and they can be tippy.

Overall I would choose either a P3 on sale or the Savvy DX.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions!! I have had a serious stroller collection over the years, according to DH I've had them all

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Thanks, TinkBoo&ElliesMum, just sent you a PM with a whole new set of questions -- thanks for offering!

 

[trish1970]

I was going through the same agony about a month ago, so I feel your pain. We finally decided on the Maclaren Triumph and I purchased the Maclaren cup/ accessory holder which straps on the back of the stroller.
Okay, while I have not yet experienced the stroller in WDW, I have used it quite a bit and have to say that I LOVE IT!!! Even my DH has commented on how great it is. It weighs about 11 lbs and it has a strap so you can carry it over your shoulder. My 2 1/2 (32 lb) DS fits in it very comfortably and it rides like a dream. It is super easy to open and close and it maneuvers really well! I own a Peg Perego and I really hate it -- I find that my feet are always kicking the wheels and it is really hard to maneuver in that it doesn't turn well in tight spaces.
You can get some great deals on Ebay! Good Luck!

 

[W21981Brick]

Gosh, I've been thinking about this for 2 months- my friend said I was more crazy w/ stroller problem than someone w/ making their wedding plans. DS is almost 4yrs, 42" and 40 lbs. I knew I wanted one light weight and comfy for him, but only needed it for a year or so(he still likes srtoller rides). I found the Mac Volo to fit our needs,bought it, and love it. I wish when I bought the older 2 umbrella strollers(2 yrs ago) I would have seen this one. Not many features but it serves us well, and can take 50 lbs, very lightweight and fits a tall kid comfy.

 

[NotUrsula]

There's a stroller board over on parentsplace.com that will answer anything and everything you want to know, AND tell you if any of targets are coming up on Ebay.

If I had to stay under $200, and could not find a reclining Mac on sale, I'd go with one of the Chiccos. They are good strollers, but except for the 2002, they don't quite have the suspension of a Mac. I was in my local OUAC this week and they had a very nice used Chicco 2002 available for $22. You never know what you can find.

I like my Pliko, but I like my Mac better. However, the Pliko can carry a MUCH larger load. The price you pay for that is the weight of the stroller itself, 19 lbs.

BTW, Strollers4less has a 2003 Quest on sale for $169. They have the 2004's, so that's a clearance; probably not many left.

 

[shelly3girls]

I love my Mac! We have owned many different strollers and by far the Mac handles the best even with a heavy load. The easy fold, decent size basket, weight, we loved everything about it. My DH and I both agree this is the best stroller we have ever owned. We personally hated our single combi stroller. It did not handle well, hard to stear, and many other features we did not like. We bought it b/c we loved our twin savvy, but can't say the same for the single. I have heard great things about the Peg but it was way to heavy for us. My Mac Triumph is a dream!
We also checked out the Chicco and thought that it did not handle well and felt "cheap."

 

[kelscross]

LOL...I thought I was the only one stressing over the stroller situation. My mother wanted to rent strollers rather than pack them off and on the transportation, but I explained to her that where the busses let you off and where the stroller rental is can be a walk. On the way into they parks they are all excited, BUT after a tiring day I KNOW they won't walk after we return the strollers.

I wanted certain features in a double stroller that I just couldn't find in one under 300 bucks.

BUT I found single umbrella strollers at babies r us that are big enough for my children (2 and 3 about 30 lbs.) with a canopy, they are light weight and will be shielded from the sun. They also have mesh bags on the back to hold stuff. Additionally I bought these "clips" at Babies R Us that converts two strollers into one side by side double stroller. The clips attach and detach quickly.

The strollers cost 20 bucks a piece and the clips 10 dollars.

We used them at the zoo a couple weeks ago and it was okay.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I'm glad to hear we were not the only ones being driven "stroller-crazy!" I'm telling you, I've made life-altering decisions more quickly and easily than I decided which stroller to buy, LOL!!!

Here's what we wound up buying (and not buying) in case this information helps anyone else in our same quandary... (And I hope stroller-makers read this -- some of the design decisions they make are NOT based on real-life usability, I swear!)

First, we were afraid to purchase the Combi Savvy DX, even though it was such a great deal online, because we've never been the "site unseen" types. And we found Combi Travel Savvy and Savvy Sohos in several stores, and truly did not care for them (too small, too cheesy feeling, not easy to steer). I wish we could've test driven the Savvy DX and the Savona for ourselves, but oh well...

We then tried a couple of MacLaren's just for the heck of it, and you guys are right, they steer great and are a great size and weight -- but man, no tray and no basket to speak of! If that isn't important to you, I can see why many people liked the Quest, though. It did feel nice!

So, then we went to Peg Peregos, and while we really liked the P3 a lot, (thanks to TinkBoo&ElliesMum's input for steering us in that direction!), and thought it was really nicely padded, easy to push, etc., we did feel it was just a little heavy (17+ pounds) and what really leaned us away from it was the basket -- how do you get anything IN there??!! It accesses only from the front, and has a strange cross-bar above it, so basically nothing flatter than a pancake fits in there. But, in the scheme of things, we did realize we're really "basket people." (Or, is it "basket cases?")

So... We wound up with the Peg Perego Aria. Pros: Love the steering. Our DD was instantly comfy it seemed, and so were we while pushing it. The basket size/access was perfect (hint to Peg Perego, can't you design the P3's that way? ), and the tray/cupholders for her/us just sealed the deal. You're right in that it's not perfect. Cons: not a great deal of padding on the seat (WHY? is what I'd like to ask, for that price? Would it really cost that much extra?) And it does seem to weave a little on uneven road (though we live on a very unevenly paved country road, so I think we'll continue to use our more full-sized Graco with bigger wheels for walks at home). But on decent pavement and indoor, my husband called it "the Cadillac." (And in many ways, he's pickier than I am!)

Oh -- just for laughs, also tried out the Graco Citilite and BabyTrend Trendsport, and some other more "economical" choices. Even though a cheaper choice didn't work out last year, I guess we had to "justify" why spending $200 on a stroller was a good idea. And boy, once you steer a Peg Perego or MacLaren, there's no going back, is there??!!

Thanks again, everyone, for posting. I hope this (very long-winded) update brings info that can help others...

Now, only 2 more weeks 'til our trip!

Thanks!