Aston Martin Stroller

Recently a reporter asked me what I thought about the new, three-thousand dollar Astin-Martin stroller. Which is only generating such a buzz BECAUSE it's 3-grand. Here was my response, and it is certainly like nothing you will read anywhere else.
 

"First of all, Silver Cross already makes this model, which is called the "Surf". It has suffered a host of complaints, including wheels that shimmy and wobble like a bad shopping cart, wheels that won't turn and lock up, folding mechanisms that won't fold, seats that lock in the upright position, and a miniscule basket to boot.

 

I would also like to know how it performs, because I doubt you can really compare it to the quality of an Aston Martin car. I've tested out 350 strollers on my StrollerQueen Obstacle Course, running up and down hills one-handed, through mud, over grass, and all with a Latte in one hand. I can measure how much it snaps my wrist to turn it, how much coffee is spilled, and how much StrollerPrince 2.0 complains of a bumpy ride. There are really not many that make the grade. So it's not all about the name.

 

 I question where the Aston Martin Surf is made, since I doubt it has the Northern England Silver Cross pedigree. They still hand make a very limited number of Coach built prams at their factory in Yorkshire. These really are top quality, and will be around 100 years from now. So arguably worth the 3-grand. The rest of their models, the Surf included, are made in China. And they have had a load of issues.

So the only difference is the Aston Martin branding, and the fabrics. But other companies use Alcantara, like Peg Perego.  

  I have a black leather Maclaren that was made several years ago, so that is nothing revolutionary either.











If you want a cool looking British stroller with all of the same features, including a leather handle, you can pay $700 for the Mamas and Papas Mylo. 

They also make similar models, the Urbo for under $500, and the Sola for under $400. The Quinny Mood is another really edgy Euro stroller, for $700. The Peg Perego Book Plus is around $500, the Mutsy Evo $400, and the Combi Catalyst is $300. Or, you can get a gorgeous, luxurious, made in Italy Classica by Inglesina, for $8-$900. Traditionally, that pram was the top of the line, and deserved to be. But, all of these strollers have the same features as the Surf.

All that said, I am surprised that this, or something else in the ridiculously stratospheric range, hasn't been released sooner. Blame the economy, I guess. Because someone like Beyonce, who drives a half million dollar Maybach, or Kim Kardashian, with a Rolls Royce Ghost, are not going to want to put their precious spawn in something that can be driven by the hoi polloi. Bugaboos are so bourgeois. Anyone can buy one off Ebay now for a couple of hundred bucks, well within the reach of the average Mom.

Three thousand dollars isn't, however, within the average reach. That is reserved for the likes of a Kate Middleton, who probably won't drive one anyway because the masses would be in an uproar. Yes, England is still a class society, but it's not politically correct to have the upper crust pretensions. You have to be less obvious. Which is what the Aston Martin Surf will be. A stroller that only the obviously very rich can afford, which is not you.

 

 But here's a little secret. You can buy a regular Surf on UK Ebay for around 300 GBP, or $400-$450 USD. 

 Or you can buy a Surf doll pram for $79.99 at Babies R Us.

 And when people realize that, another, even more exclusive, read more expensive stroller, will be launched. The cycle of "Stroller Envy" will be continued.

Cheers,
StrollerQueen"