Graco Quattro Stroller.... whats your opinion?

[lorena]

Hello!

I am new to the group and not sure if this has already been covered...
I am 6 mo. pg, expecting my first child! :).. and I have started looking for baby stuff, ..I have decided on the graco snugride, and now I need to find a stroller, I looked at the P3 (talked about here)... but its 290dlls which is outside my budget :(... I was/am planning on spending about 150 for a stroller.. not sure if this is realistic budget for it?, I would like to use it mainly for shopping and walks around the block... maybe themeparks, zoo's all the kind of stuff... I would like it to be easy to manuver(sp?) and load/unload from a car? and with reclinable seat ( I feel bad when I see those poor kids sleep with their heads in weird positions...)
I was thinking about the graco quattro, only because it comes in a travel system package, but I don't really know the advantages or disavantages, can you suggest something better?...or if you have this stroller can you tell me how happy/unhappy you are with it? and basically what you love/hate about this stroller?
your help/opinion is very much appreciated!

Thanks soooo much!
--Lorena.

[tinkerbell1217]

Well, first off, CONGRATS!!! Having a baby DOES change everything!

As for a stroller, you do not HAVE TO have a travel system, but they can be convenient at times. Just don't leave baby in the car seat for extended periods of time all the time. That said, the P3 is an excellent choice and you might be able to find a decent one on EBay. If not, the Quattro is a nice stroller. Its a little heavy, but honestly I wouldn't have a problem with it and I am short with back problems that flair up every now and then. I know BRU sells the Quattro online separate from a travel system and I know in both BRU near me they have models separate from a travel system. But, if you want a matching set then getting the travel system is great. The full recline is very nice, decent sunshade and basket is easier to access even with the seat reclined now. There are so many nice patterns out now too.

Personally, I do not have a Quattro, but I have two friends who do and they love theirs. Even with the extra weight of the stroller, they are nice and sturdy and I think they are much better made than Gracos used to be. I wouldn't say that about any Graco model other than the Quattro.

Lots of luck and try not to stress too much over baby products. All your little one really needs is you!

[Emmas Mom]

Congratulations Lorena & welcome to the board. :) About the Graco Quattro, I would skip it. I had it & though it has some nice features it is a whopping 28 lbs or so. Very heavy & very bulky. It took up almost the entire trunk of our Civic. I got it with a travel system because that's what "everyone" said I should get. I ended up selling the stroller & getting a P3. I know they're expensive but it's worth it to get something that's lightweight & good quality. Maybe you could get a Snap n go (or similar) instead to use with the infant carseat (I'm pretty sure they take just about all infant seats) & save up for a p3?? If I'd known about the Snap n go's before I had my DD I would've registered for that instead & a P3. There are a lot of strollers out there that are much better than the Gracos so hopefully someone will come by with some other ideas. Anyway, I'm just speaking from MY experience with the Graco travel system. Plus, think of this...your baby will only be in the infant seat for a few months, you'll need a good stroller for a few years at least.

[AAHHmom]

I know that you can get deals on ebay for a P3. I think it would be totally worth it to shop around and find a good deal. Strollerswap is also and option and find a gently used p3 from a stroller junkie. ATleast for me the travel system isn't all it is scracked up to be. I have a daughter who is almost 11 weeks old we have never even used the stroller as a travel system. Honestly I am not sure she has even been in the stroller. I have a sling that I use with her while i use wither my p3 or volo with my son who is 2. Babies get too big for infant car seats so quickly and the stroller you will need until they are atleast 3.

[JenaW]

I have the Quattro Tour and I LOVE it! My son is almost 2 and until my daughter was born 4 months ago, I used it nearly every day and it still looks/works great! It worked great as the travel system (although they were sold separately when I got mine) and works just as well by itself. I can not say enough good things about it. It IS heavy (but my double - the kiwi e3) is just as heavy. We don't have a garage, so I keep it in my car. I drive an SUV so trunk space is not an issue for me, but it would be something to consider if you have a car. It BARELY fits into DH's ford escort. I love the HUGE basket, the amazingly easy fold, parent tray, colors (I got the heatwave pattern). I was highly discouraged by ANYONE I asked regarding this stroller, but I too could not afford anything more expensive. I have not been disapopinted at all. I know Gracos have had a bad rap in the past, and like a PP mentioned, I am not sure I would buy any of their other models, but the quattro IS a reasonable stroller alternative I think!

Good luck

[mariza]

I seriously considered the Quattro, even registered for the Heatwave pattern at one point, then I asked BRU if I could test it out for size in my trunk. I drive a Chevy Malibu with a decent size trunk and it took up 95% of my trunk space, also I am in and out constantly (drycleaner, grocery store, post office, etc) I could not imagine lugging and struggling with it in and out of the trunk several times a day! I found a great deal on ebay and got the P3 and am sooo glad I did! The graco travel systems cost about $200 I got a Graco snugride and a P3 for a total of $280, so for just a bit more, with a little legwork, you can get a P3. Target has some patters of snugride on clearance, so maybe you can save there in order to justify the P3 purchase. Today I went to a thriftshop and was glad to have my P3's easy one hand steering (no automatic doors), opening the door and pushing is a piece of cake, and I was amazed at how easily I fit down the narrow aisles jam-packed with merchandise, no way I could have done that with a Graco. Good Luck with your decision!

[EagerlyAwaitingBaby]

With your price range, why don't you think about the Zooper Swing or the Z-Street? The Z-Street is only available on ebay - it's the 2003 model of the Swing and is going for $91 plus shipping from a seller named Liquid Baby. The Swing is about $170 (free shipping/no tax) from online retailers.

[tiapam]

I have this stroller and I like it for walking around our neighborhood (we have sidewalks) but it is not a good one to lug around in the car. It took up too much room in our trunk and I found it hard to take it in and out of the trunk. If I was taking the baby to the zoo, or somewhere she would be in the stroller most of the day, then I probably would take the Quattro. For everyday errands where I am in and out of the car alot, I wound up buying the Combi Flash stroller frame (I paid about $68 with tax) for our Graco Snugride carseat and I love it. If you do a search of the boards, you will find some recent posts on the Flash. After she outgrows the Snugride, I will probably get another stroller for the car. I like the Combi so much (the tri-fold makes it so compact) I am going to look into the Combi Savvy.

-Pam

Charlotte Rose born 10/5/2004

[dules]

I'd second the Swing/Z Street recommendations. Love my Z Street. It comes with every accessory and takes an infant car seat. The Swing comes in cute colors (Z Street is very hard to find, not many colors left), I'm sure you could find something to coordinate with your car seat.

Best,
Mary