UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller 2009 - Alex

UPPAbaby Vista Stroller, Green Carlin Reviews

Average Review Rating: 4.5

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Review Rating: 2/5
Review Summary: Nice features, poor engineering
We have the 2009 version of this stroller. Pretty much everything about the Vista is great-- it's comfortable, the storage basket is AMAZING and you can fit practically your whole life in it, and the bassinet/seat combo is really nice. If your stroller is perfectly constructed, you've got it made. The problem is, it doesn't seem like many of these strollers are perfectly constructed; in fact, ours has had a number of problems, and I doubt that the cheap construction has changed in the 2010 model.

We originally chose to buy a higher end stroller because we put a lot of miles on it, and we were expecting to have it last through two children. However, our warranty will expire in half a year, and given our history, I don't know if the stroller will make it much past that.

When we first got it for our newborn, we were quite happy. The bassinet was great, and as our son got older it was nice to be able to switch back and forth easily between the bassinet and the seat. We also really liked that the seat easily switches between forward and rear facing. When rear-facing, the stroller is less maneuverable because the weight is distributed to the front wheels rather than the rear, but this is not noticeable until your child is a bit heavier.

We had some minor problems with the screws that hold the seat together loosening (one actually fell out and got lost) and received a replacement kit for them. We've had to occasionally tighten the one we didn't replace, but haven't had problems with the replacement.

One of the plastic ribs on the canopy (the extendable sun canopy is a great feature by the way) has torn through the fabric. We were offered a replacement canopy but that seemed overkill for something that could be repaired relatively easily-- but still shouldn't have happened in the first place.

The real problems started about 6 or 9 months in, when we had to replace the front wheels because they were clicking and creaking loudly. This may be due to the construction of the wheels, which has been changed for the 2010 model. (Our current replacement set is the new 2010 "star wheels," and if those end up problematic too, we'll update.) Shortly after that, we replaced the rear wheels because the rubber had worn through all the way to the underlying foam core. Subsequently, over the course of the next 6 or 9 months, we replaced both sets of wheels twice more for the same reasons.

Finally, just this past week, the frame of the stroller broke. Not some plastic piece that holds something together, but the joint where two aluminum bars (the bottom horizontal bar and the rear "leg") are welded together. It BROKE APART. This is appalling. Their website says this stroller is constructed of "Welded and formed aircraft aluminum alloy." I really hope UPPAbaby is not planning on getting into the aircraft business.

Every time we've had a problem, UPPAbaby's customer service has been great-- prompt, friendly, and accommodating. All of the parts have been replaced under warranty. I've noticed other glowing reviews of UPPAbaby's customer service, too. However, I really feel like with a stroller in this price range I shouldn't even HAVE to contact customer service.

Overall, our son likes the stroller and it would be great for our city sidewalks-- if it weren't constantly breaking. The saving grace is the warranty-- but we hadn't planned on throwing down this kind of money on only a two year investment.

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Review Rating: 5/5
Review Summary: A truly great stroller.
I have used this stroller for nine months, and I have to say it is a great piece of equipment. It is heavy, but easy to fold and maneuver into the back of my car. It is big, but even with a smaller car I could fit it and a weeks worth of groceries in the back. I loved using the bassinet at naptime, and as a changing table when my son was tiny. The carseat bracket was great when he outgrew the bassinet. Now I use the toddler seat with great convienience. The sunshade also gets a lot of use in sunny Houston. The wheelbase takes some getting used to, but it's worth it. One of the best features is the huge basket. I can stuff all the extra stuff into it that needs to come along with no difficulty. It's very sturdy and won't tip over with the diaper bag slung over the handles, even if my son isn't in it. Yet it bounces like a pram does if I jiggle the handle, which is nice when my little guy is fussy. The one-handed steering is also a big plus. If it's within your budget, this stroller is worth every penny.

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Review Rating: 5/5
Review Summary: Only Complaint...difficulty collapsing the stroller to put in car.
I LOVE my Uppa Baby Vista Stroller! However, I do have one complaint...it is very difficult to collapse the stroller when you put it back in your car, etc. They show a video demo of have to do it on their website..which makes me think they have had lots of phone calls about it. But, even after watching the video and reading the instructions and practicing and totally knowing how to do it...it is not easy. It takes a few tries EVERYTIME to collapse it which is pretty annoying especially when it is not a cheap stroller. I have heard others say the same thing.