Gaggia New Baby Class vs Gaggia Classic

leahcim

Hi Guys,

I put an order for a Gaggia Classic on http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/.

They rang me this morning to say that the classic model has been discontinued and replaced with the Gaggia New Baby Class. The guy on the phone said there was no difference to the quailty of the machines the change was mainly cosmetic.

Is what he is saying correct? I know there are some classics still available in BT and debenhams so if the baby is inferior I could still get the classic there.

Thanks.

Mr Magnolia

Data here.

It looks to have the same functionality as the classic and it sure is purdy. Did they give you a price?

Edit/ Just had a look at both and IMO the Classic is the nicer machine. More is known about the classic but I'd say the new machine consists of the same parts.

Classic

Baby

Not to mention you'll be buying something called '...baby...'.

Edit/Edit/ I recently bought the classic so I may be biased.

dak

I also have the classic...would say the baby spec is similar to the claasic. Once it has a solenoid it won't be bad! Dundrum shopping centre may still have one!

banaco73

House of frazer in Dundrum still have classics @€;320.00 yesterday.

leahcim

Thanks for the help guys.

From what I have read on the web the Gaggia New Baby Class has much the same internals as Gaggia classic. The only difference I can see is the pump in the Classic is setup to work at 17.5 bar and the the newer model is set to work at 15 bar. Apparently this is not a negative thing just a design decision. The Gaggia New Baby Class also has a 3 way solenoid.

I am leaning towards getting the Gaggia New Baby Class for two reasons

1. It is the replacement for the classic why would gaggia replace their most respected machine with an inferior product.

2. To my eye the classic doesn’t look very nice.

The guy http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/ was of the opinion that the Gaggia New Baby Class was more likely the better machine as it had the newer technology, but he would have that opinion as he is selling them.

Thanks.

Mr Magnolia

leahcim wrote:

From what I have read on the web the Gaggia New Baby Class has much the same internals as Gaggia classic. The only difference I can see is the pump in the Classic is setup to work at 17.5 bar and the the newer model is set to work at 15 bar. Apparently this is not a negative thing just a design decision.

I think the Classic is set-up to work at 15bar too. A couple of us recently reduced the pressure on our classic's back to around 9 bar, see here. So it's not a negative anyway.

I am leaning towards getting the Gaggia New Baby Class for two reasons

1. It is the replacement for the classic why would gaggia replace their most respected machine with an inferior product.

Cheaper parts & labour costs could be another.

2. To my eye the classic doesn’t look very nice.

It is a nice machine


Good luck with which ever machine you choose. Make sure you let us know how you're getting on.

leahcim

Cheaper parts & labour costs could be another.

This is a slight concern all right.

I'll let the the forum know how I am getting on with the machine in a few weeks time.

Thanks Mr Magnolia

RE*AC*TOR

I sincerely question the reasoning behind discontinuing the Gaggia Classic if true. Its a good machine with a solid reputation. The design of the classic IMO is less likely to look dated soon.

As for the pump pressure - the figures mentioned are the pressures that the pumps are capable of, not what they are running at.

I'd say the machines are comparable in performance, and the only negative might be the buttons on the front - I certainly prefer the big, reassuring "clack" of the classic buttons over a modern touch pad. Then again that's a matter of opinion.

jackal

Picked up a classic in house of frazer on 2 days ago for 340, they have plenty left.

I previously had a krups programable, and I must agree - the touchpad electronic controls are infuriating when they dont work. You press them and the machine decides whether or not it will do what you want. At least with the clunky buttons when you press them, they do something!

denisor

Hi Jackal

Can you tell me which House Of Frazier have Classics in stock at this price?

I contacted my local one in Dundrum about this, and they tell me there are "NO" Gaggia Classics in stock or available, and they only have one "Baby Classic" in stock at the price of €483.00.

They went on to tell me that stock is in short supply, and they don't expect to get in more "Classics" for the foreseeable future, but could not say why, or if its because the unit is discontinued.

Gran Hermano

Gaggia UK are listing the classic on their own UK web shop.
http://www.gaggia.uk.com/gaggshop1.htm

A reconditioned unit with 1 year Gaggia warranty is GBP 199.

They also list a new machine at GBP 275 plus delivery.

Waesfjord

any idea what the delivery is?

They don't seem to offer their special offers outside UK (e.g. Gaggia Evolution machine + 70 Pods = £99), so maybe don't deliver outside UK.

Gran Hermano

I've bought spare parts and other odds and ends direct from Gaggia UK in the past. I've added a machine to a basket and they have Ireland as a shipping option - price for delivery is an extra GBP12. I recall I had to phone them regarding an order before - but can't recall why - no problems in the end.

Mary28

Did anyone buy the Baby Class in the end? Any reviews?

I'm trying to decide between the Classic and the Baby Class. Reviews I've read say large cups do not fit with the Classic, will they fit with the Baby Class?

It's a present for my husband and he likes large coffees so having to use a small cup would annoy him I think.

leahcim

Hi Mary28

I am the original poster of this thread.

In the end I did buy the New Baby Class and two years later I am still using it with no problems. (I did have a problem because my first one was damaged in the post but the company I ordered it from replaced it).

I can confirm that my machine can take a large cup, but I would be surprised if the classic cannot do the same. There are plenty of people on this forum can confirm this.

I would say either machine would be a good choice.

Clinker

I use a Gaggia Classic and one of the advantages of using a naked portafilter with it is that you can fit a large cup under it: with the standard spouted portafilter you can't!

Interesting that the Classic seems to be still available two years later.

Mary28

Great guys thanks for the responses. I think I'll go with the Classic due to the fact it's more tried and tested and had tonnes of good reviews when I google it.

Regular Latte

I have a Classic and really enjoy using it. (I'm also using a Rancilio Silvia that a friend lent to me - MUCH better steam arm, but I can't seem to get as good a shot).

Regarding big cups...how big do you want? I've found large cups can fit under the spout if you slide them in and out at an angle. Alternatively, remove the plate from the drip tray (which is much deeper than the Silvia) and you'll have even more room for larger cups - assuming the tray isn't full of water!

creaghadoos

interested in one of these gaggia coffee machines,
can anyone let me know if they are worth the money?
what kind of coffee do you use?
do they break much?

leahcim

I bought the Gaggia New Baby Class in the end (the Gaggia Classic also seems to be still available), am very happy with it to be honest.

I bought it over the web, when the first one arrived it was damaged and I had to send it back, the replacement they sent is still going strong. I descale the machine every three months and clean it regularly which helps keeping it in good working order.

I think buying the machine has given me a hugh appreciation for quality coffee. I now realise that most of the coffee you buy in cafe's is pretty poor. I save a fortune having the machine at home as I less likely to spend money on coffee when out and about.

PPC

I picked up a second handy Baby Class last year for €100 off of Ebay and its been great. Just recently changed the steam wand for a Silvia one which has been a huge improvement. Just need some parts now and i'll have an adjustable OPV in it.