What type of bed?

We are going looking for a "big boys" bed this weekend but am unsure what is best so I am after some opinions.

Slat with innersprung mattress vs mattress and base.

What did you buy and why?

Are the racing car - fire engine novelty beds a waste of time?

TIA

With both of our two, we bought a good bed right off the bat for them so in the long run we don't have to shell out $$ in the future.
We bought sleepyhead kind singles with the pop up spare bed in the base (can't remember the name, lol) we got them both on specials for about $1099, RRP about $1699ish
That way we have a good spare bed in each room (hidden away so not taking up room, becoming a washing holder) that can make a queen size bed if need be and the bed is a good bed, so supportive and big enough hopefully to see them through till they go to uni.
I personally wouldn't waste my money on a novelty bed, or a bed that is only going to last a few years.
We also go a little step stool so they can climb up easily..

We got a nice wooden frame on trademe from a guy who makes them and then just got a decent matress. For spare beds we use air beds since they aren't needed often at all and means we can use under his bed for storage if needed. We didn't bother with a king single and have just a normal single size because I figured me and my bro survived all our teenage years in one so Daniel can too. Novalty beds are just a waste of money, you don't know how quickly they are going to grow out of that particular like.

At the moment I have the sides off Arianne's cot and she hasnt fallen out yet (going on 1 month), I already have a single slat bed. I am not going to worry about small toddler beds I think its just a waste of money since most toddlers can climb up onto normal beds anyway.