Cheap MetroLite Travel System - Marta Print (Baby Product) Price

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Customer Reviews of MetroLite Travel System - Marta Print

Fits in the trunk of my VW Beetle!
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For those of you with a small car...

I own a 2002 VW Beetle. The SnugRide car seat fits in the back seat with enough leg room for the passenger in the front seat and the folded MetroLite LE stroller fits in the trunk alongside my CD changer. This allows room inside for the baby, a driver, two passengers, and the stroller.

It is possible to fold the stroller using only one hand, but you have to fold it down so that it is laying flat on the ground, which bothered me until I realized that only the plastic parts touch the ground, keeping the Marta print fabric clean.

Also, the stroller is light!!! I can easily lift it into my trunk, and I have no problem holding my 2 month old son in one hand while folding the stroller with the other, then bending down to clip it closed and lift it by the handle.

I had a very difficult time finding an infant stroller that fit in my trunk... I'm sure that other Beetle owners will find this helpful!

Pros and Cons
Pros:
Compared to other travel systems, it is lighter, smaller, and the stroller is quite easy to maneuver (great non-slip handle) on the streets. I found the fabric easy to clean and the overall design is good. The lighter material is great for the CA weather. My child gets plenty of coverage from the sun and there is a second cover in case it gets rainy, cold, or windy with a window so that you can keep an eye on your baby. There is ample space in the storage compartment for a diaper bag. It is sturdy and has solid wheels with good traction. For the first 2 mos, when I didn't really go anywhere with the baby, except for the pediatrician's or to visit friends, it was great because I just used the car seat and didn't know how hard it would be to actually travel with the stroller. I have taken the system out for long strolls in my neighborhood and always felt that my baby was secure even as we went up and down hills. Individually, this system has a great car seat (I used a terry cloth head support for my child first) and a good stroller, but ironically, I had a lot of trouble travelling with this travel system. My husband didn't have as hard of a time, but living in CA and being alone with the baby most of the week, I have to run a lot of daily errands in the car and this system is no longer working for me because of the following.
Cons:
Now that I am more active and need to take the stroller along, I regret buying a travel system. Please note that if you are bigger, have good upper body strength, and have a spacious trunk, the following won't matter much to you. I am petite and struggle with the stroller every time I put it in and take it out of my car (Toyota Corolla). It is pretty heavy for me and just barely fits in my trunk. I have to put it in a certain way and then angle it in order for it to fit lengthwise in the trunk. It is annoying when the front wheels aren't positioned properly and you can't collapse it all the way because I can't get it in my trunk unless it is completely flat, and I have never been able to close it with one hand; I always need both arms to get it to fold in. Try doing all this while your child is screaming and crying and people are waiting for you to pull out of your parking space in a busy parking structure or when you have bags of groceries that can't be put in the trunk because there isn't any room with the stroller. Now, I see the stroller as bulky and inconvenient and am looking into buying a cheaper, lighter umbrella stroller for when I have to go anywhere with the car. I will continue to use the travel system stroller for neighborhood strolls or quick errands because it is a good stroller and I want to get my money's worth because it was expensive.

Overall, this is a good system if you like travel systems and need one, especially for the first couple of months when the baby needs that extra support and is sleeping alot, so you don't want to disturb her by taking her out of the car seat to put her into another set of straps and buckles. I did get a lot of use out of both the car seat and stroller (really love the car seat), but it's just hard for smaller people with smaller trunks. I definitely will use the travel system for the second child because it was useful the first couple of months, but after that, for the busy mom on the go, it's just not practical.

Travel systems are handy the first couple of months especially if your husband is doing the lifting, but after that, I don't know if justifies the cost. If money doesn't matter, get one for the convenience of not having to wake an tiny infant, but if you are on a budget like me, then reconsider an item you will only really use for a short period of time as you realize how much more convenient a separate umbrella stroller can be.

I purchased the Metrolite because of reviews I saw on this site and loved it until I had to start using the travel system on a daily basis.