New stroller for a three year old? **UPDATE**

[In Luv with Disney]

I just checked babystyle.com, and their volo is on sale for $79.99!!!! Unless I am reading the coupon incorrectly, this means you can get the new model (with canopy) for $69.99 with the coupon!! I am so jealous that I don't need another....

I saw that, what an awesome deal!!!!! If anyone is concerned about the mesh, they also sell a Volo Accessory pack that includes a padded seat cover, rain cover and carry bag. Check it out!!!

http://www.babystyle.com/common/dProductDetail.asp?pmid=16541&dept=0

If I didn't just buy the Quest Mod, I might buy this one!!!! You CANNOT beat that price for a Maclaren!!!

 

[kc10family]

We have Chicco Caddy and we love them a lot! We bought them at Babies r Us for 49.95. We have had them for almost a year now and both DD's fit great in them. DD4 is about 30+ lbs and DD2 is 19 lbs. We have taken them to DL 3 times and they go all over town with us. They have shocks in both front and back wheels (DH loves that) they have a great sun cover/shade thing. They have zippers in the back so it will recline a bit. Both DD's have fallen asleep in them and they didn't look very uncomfortable. They fold up very well a bit bigger than the standard umbrella type. I would be happy to email you picture of my DD in them if you'd like. I stink at posting pics on here. On our last trip our friends said they would be getting two for the twins who will be three in April. If you have any questions, please ask.

~

 

[munchkinsmom]

The mesh is actually sturdier than some fabrics...

...and great in hot weather like California and Florida! Breathable mesh sure beats a padded seat in the Summer!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, so went to Babies R Us today and looked at the Mac Techno and the Volo. DH ruled out the Volo- he didn't like the mesh and thought it was overpriced. We both liked the Techno, but he is on the fence about the money (I found it on line brand new for $185 with free shipping). We saw a Chico for $89 with tall handles (I am 5'9" and DH is almost 6'4") but the weight was only to 37lbs and we were hoping to get to use it a couple more years (we have 3 trips planned to WDW in 2 years and DS would be just 5 on his last one). I do intend to use this as my everyday stoller and retire my travel system.

What should we do?????????

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Go for the Maclaren. Your child can be in the stroller until he/she is 55 pounds. That is a good price for a Techno! I did a search for you on ebay, and found a couple that are cheaper...check it out:
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...=1&from=R8&satitle=maclaren+techno&category0=

Also, have you considered the Maclaren Quest??? I just got one about 2 weeks ago (my very first Maclaren) and it is AWESOME. I got the Quest Mod in Rose Pink, but they have blue and green on ebay for $109 and $119!!! Check it out...
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...00&fpos=11001&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=

I cannot say enough about this stroller!!! It folds so compact and is only about 8 or 9 pounds. It even has a handle to carry it!

Good luck with your search!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Anyone ever heard of a site called www.babyage.com? They have a great deal on a Maclaren but wanted to know if anyone had any dealings with them?

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Are you looking at the Mac 3 that they have? If so, forget it. It's a bad Mac.

Babystyle has 20% off sitewide and free shipping. The volo and techno are available. Now, let me sell you on the volo over the techno. Volo is so unbelievably light. Don't worry about the mesh seat! First, it is so much cooler in the heat. Second, think about those sudden FL storms, the mesh dries out and doesn't take on much water to begin with. Techno is just more stroller than you need for your little one. The Volo isn't overpriced. It's so durable and maneuverable. If you can't go bare bones, step up to the Quest. Check out your local target as well. They've had old macs on clearance recently.

 

[robinb]

Well ... I'm going against popular opinion. And I own a Maclaren Techno! If you are only going to use the stroller on your next 3 trips, investing in a $100 stroller doesn't make any sense to me. My 48 pound, 48" DD was perfectly OK in a cheapie Kolcraft umbrella stroller for 10 days in Decmeber. It steered just as well the day we left as the very first day. I bought it at Toys-R-Us, so I cannot attest to the Wal*Mart or other cheapie brands.

ETA: It was only $19!

But ... now I see you are both tall. My DH and I are both under 5'7". A regular umbrella will be too short for you. I love my Techno, but I would never spent almost $200 for a 3-trip stroller.

 

[lauritagoddess]

Anyone ever heard of a site called www.babyage.com? They have a great deal on a Maclaren but wanted to know if anyone had any dealings with them?

Yes, they're great. I ordered a Combi stroller from them a few years ago and a Britax seat. Great service and a flat $5 shipping (or at least it used to be).

 

[KristinU]

I just wanted to add a piece of my post from the "why Maclaren or Peg Perego" thread:

"Here's my personal method/philosophy on expensive strollers: I prefer to buy higher-end strollers because resale is typically great, instead of buying something more "disposable". If I can find something via re-sale I do that...either way, I see the depreciation that I take as my "rental" fee. I recently sold a Mac Volo that I had purchased used and I came out at paying about $20 for the time that I used it (and most of that was shipping)...i.e. I sold it for just about the same as I bought it for. I guess I see it as part of the reduce-reuse-recycle thing..."

So if the OP ends up buying a great Mac for say $200, uses it for three trips, then sells it for $100 she has esentially "rented" it or "leased" it for $33 per trip (at least that's how it works in my mind...yes, the $$$ is tied up for the time that you own it, but it is worth it for me).

 

[Jen D]

Well ... I'm going against popular opinion. And I own a Maclaren Techno! If you are only going to use the stroller on your next 3 trips, investing in a $100 stroller doesn't make any sense to me. My 48 pound, 48" DD was perfectly OK in a cheapie Kolcraft umbrella stroller for 10 days in Decmeber. It steered just as well the day we left as the very first day. I bought it at Toys-R-Us, so I cannot attest to the Wal*Mart or other cheapie brands.

ETA: It was only $19!

But ... now I see you are both tall. My DH and I are both under 5'7". A regular umbrella will be too short for you. I love my Techno, but I would never spent almost $200 for a 3-trip stroller.

ITA-- I love my Techno but I would never buy one for a 3.5 age child. I would get a $20 Kolcraft. And you may not need it when the child is 5. We didn't bring a stroller to the World when our kid was five and we didn't miss it.

But the one thing about the umbrellas is the low handles. I would really reconsider on the Volo if you are determined for a quality stroller. But honestly, for a 3.5 yo, I'd be cheaping out as much as possible.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks again everyone! I think we are going to get the Techno. DH thinks the price is right and if I order now, we can start using it right away (DS2.5 still rides in a stroller at the mall, for walks in the neighborhood etc.) so it is not being used just for the 3 trips. My goal was to find one that could be both an everyday stroller but be strong enough to hold up for the 3rd trip in '08.

Thanks!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Thanks again everyone! I think we are going to get the Techno. DH thinks the price is right and if I order now, we can start using it right away (DS2.5 still rides in a stroller at the mall, for walks in the neighborhood etc.) so it is not being used just for the 3 trips. My goal was to find one that could be both an everyday stroller but be strong enough to hold up for the 3rd trip in '08.

Thanks!!

Good for you! You won't be disappointed with a Maclaren!!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I finally ordered the stroller!!!!

I just ordered the 2005 Maclaren Techno XT in Crimson Red from allbee baby for $165 for !!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for their advice- I am sure we won't be disappointed!

Kristin

 

[goldengirl71]

I just broke down and also bought the crimson Macleran Techno from albeebaby.com Cost was $164.99 (reg 299.99) with free shipping. This is BIIIIG for me since I have always bought my baby items on clearance of 75% or more or even at resale shops. I figure I have saved enough in the past to spend a little more this time and hey this one was a great deal also!!
I hope that I really love it.