Hi Gang,
I have followed the threads here for baby strollers that fit in the MINI. It sounds like the Peg Perego Aria GM is the right one... but....

a) I have not been able to find this exact model anymore, I think it's an older discontinued model

b) (More importantly) the wife wants to buy a Bugaboo... the thing is $750!!!! She says "It's our for our only kid, and Gwyneth Paltrow uses it, and blah, blah, blah!!!" Then I get all the grief in the world... I am sure all you recent dads remember going thru this kind of crap.

We do live in the city (NYC) and chances are that she will be the one using it most of the time. She will get around using the subway and buses. I use the MINI to reverse commute.

Does anyone have any experience with this stroller and how it will fit in the MINI. I am also hoping to get some kind of convertible car seat that will work with it and fit in the MINI. Any help is greatly appreciated...

Thanks,
Nando

 

From what I understand (second hand knowledge), the Bugaboo's handles are too long for it to fit in the boot with the seats up.

Never tried it myself, though.

 

You could try here http://www.quinny.nl/zapp/#

 

Here's a helpful hint from the father of 3 grown children...

If the stroller doesn't fit, just get a tow-bar. Then you don't even have to remove your 'little one' from the stroller seat. Just keep it under the limit on the freeways, and go a little easy on the corners. Weeeeeeee.....

 

The Aria GM was replaced by the Aria LB. Same stroller, new name. It's the only full size infant stroller that fits in the boot. Also very lightweight and excellent for travelling.

See it here:
http://tinyurl.com/5nzzz

If you really want to go crazy, they now have an electric assisted version with a battery and costs over $600.

I keep my page updated btw
http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/baby.asp

OctaneGuy

 

Hey Nando,

We have a Bugaboo Frog...it is a great stroller....but NO WAY will it fit in the MINI. Pretty much fills the (seats up) cargo area in our Land Rover.

I think it would be awesome for pushing around NYC streeets...very good for going down steep subway stairs...but I wonder if it would be much fun on buses???

The Aria is about it for fitting in the boot...unless you import a Silver Cross Compact from the UK.

 

See this thread for car seat recs

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=33236

 

Thank you guys!! Richard, great site!!

I am thinking that I have to make the boss happy, most likely whereer we take the kid in the car, we will not take a stroller along. You guys cannot imagine what saying "NO" to the wife means....

Thanks again!!
Nando

 

Thanks Nando!

To be honest, we rarely use the stroller with the MINI. The main reason I bought this one and not a cheaper one was so I could fit it in the boot. But in the past 6 months, I've maybe only used the stroller in my MINI 6 times.

Like I said, if we go shopping, we use the carts in the store. The last time I used the stroller was because I had to go to UPS and drop off some packages and it was my turn to watch my son, so I had to push a dolly with one hand, and the stroller with the other!

The stroller IS nice for travelling though. I've taken my son to Canada and to Florida--both times for a week--and used the stroller. It's very lightweight--lighter than some umbrella strollers, and you just stroll right up to the gate, and let them store it it for you--heh heh, of course on my last flight to Florida, the airline lost it--it got delayed for a day--for some reason it got on a different plane.

A good alternative to the stroller until your baby is over 15 pounds is those Bjorn carriers--that strap to your chest. We used that a lot. Gave us must more flexibility.

Good luck!