Peg Perego P3 vs Peg Perego A3?

[MNmomtobe]

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post yesterday about the benefits of the P3. I really appreciate it! I am really going to look into the PPs now. DH will be a really hard sell though. I had to convince him to register for the $60 snugrider frame in addition to the $149 graco metrolite! He thinks we only need one stroller.
Anywho, I have questions about the differences btw the P3 and the A3. Is the only difference the one bar handle on A3? Is it adjustable? Can it be used as a back facing carriage or is this only true on the PP Venezia?
Also- I considered getting the 05 model P3 to save $$$. Are there any differences? The only one I can see from descriptions is the cup holder on the 06. Were the handles adjustable on the 05 model? Which models have the adjustable footrest?
Sorry. So many questions! Thanks again!

[erzzie]

The Snugride will fit into the P3, just not "click" in, so un-register for the Snugrider and the Metrolite and that might take some of the sting out. That gets you to $209, and there's some discounted P3's available for that price right now, I think?

The P3 will have a much smaller fold than the A3. Over the long haul, most people find it easier to live with a stroller that folds smaller. I think the only exception would be a minivan/SUV owner who never uses the 3rd row seats?

The A3 has a bar handle, instead of the umbrella handles. In general, umbrella handles make great places to hang shopping bags from and allow the stroller to fold smaller. They typically make it harder to steer one-handed, but I haven't heard that the A3 is a lot easier to steer than the P3, so I think they're pretty equivalent there.

The A3 has the ability to fold the seat down, flip the canopy over, and create a mom-facing bassinet. It won't allow you to face your baby once they want to sit up, so it's a pretty short-lived feature, but you have to decide if it's important to you.

The Venezia has a handle that can be flipped, so that the stroller can face mom, or away from mom, in both flat reclined/carriage mode and all upright seating positions. It folds more like the A3--book style and will take up more trunk room. It steers worse than the P3, in my experience, but has a bar handle.

I think all models have the adjustable footrest. There shouldn't be any differences between the 05 and 06 P3's other than the fabrics.

Hope that helps!

[MNmomtobe]

Thank you that helps me a lot! I still wanted the Metrolite for the gravely roads around my neighborhood. Does that sound greedy? :)
Do you know if the 05 P3 has adjustable handles? Thanks again!

[mom2tony]

instead of the graco for roads in your neighborhood, you can grap a jogging stroller on the cheap off craigslist or at a consignment shop :)

kim

[nfowife]

Unless you are looking at a metrolite with air tires (the air metrolite, it is called, I've seen them NIB on ebay for ~$50 plus shipping), then the normal plastic-wheel metrolite will be HORRIBLE on gravel roads. For a good ride on rough terrian, you need air tires, not just big plastic ones. The A3 is not a true reversible carriage, and I have heard better things about the P3. Personally I think the umbrella handles are easier to steer one handed. YOu can pop the snugride into the P3 so I would not do the snugrider, you don't need it. The 2005 and 2006 only difference is color.

[MNmomtobe]

Thanks. The Metrolite we are looking at has large rubber wheels- G collection.

[MNmomtobe]

Oh and there is a cupholder included with the 2006 P3 not the 2005 right?

[The Review Mommy]

Hello, and *WELCOME* to the boards! :)

I remember when I first started posting here…It was so long ago, and I didn’t know much at all and came here for answers. I’m glad I was able to trust and take that “leap of faith.� We will never steer you wrong!:) I hope that by replying to your post, I can positively affect your stroller purchase(s) during this fun and exiting time-CONGRAULATIONS! :D

I agree with the PP-I’d unregister for the Graco and the stroller frame... today. You won’t need them if you get the P3. It really is a do-it-all stroller, and many find ok for light outdoor use. The Zippy (by Inglesina) does have better steering in the snow, and grass, department and the 2006 will now have a child tray (if that’s important to you) otherwise getting a deal on a 2005 1/2 is a great idea. (I wouldn’t get an earlier one than that; they changed so many features since then) Also, you can safely attach your snugride car seat to any of these strollers so no worries there. ;)

I'd stick with getting either the P3 or Zippy. I wouldn't be looking into the A3. I used to think that 'one bar handle' strollers were better because of the bigger baskets. I feel different now. I have a diaper bag that hangs from the back of my ‘two handle’ stroller so as to free up the basket. I like using my bag instead of a plastic parent tray (I’m able to tote every thing with me without loosing stuff) and being able to add shopping bags to the handles-which you can't do with the single is priceless. This leaves the entire basket empty for anything I want-most of my friends have Gracos and are running out of storage space by the end of our shopping trips-they put their diaper bags in the basket.

You can save money by shopping here for the P3 or Zippy.
http://www.specialtybaby.com/strollers.html
http://stores.ebay.com/Welcome-to-Babysurplus
or Craigslist.com

If I was getting the P3 I’d get the 2005, not 2006, there just isn’t enough changes to it this year to justify the price-just the fabrics. All have the adj leg and handles and useless cup holder.

Here are some great diaper bags to choose from that have the ‘hanging’ feature. You can get great deals by calling the manufacture and buying a factory second. You can also spot knock-offs at BRU, Target, and Wal-Mart for cheap-so you could register for this too.
http://www.skiphop.com/home.cgi
http://www.fleurville.com/products/sling_tote.html
http://www.bumblebags.com/madeline.html

If you’d really like to have more than one stroller I’d look at getting an outdoor or running stroller. The MBUS, Valco, or E3 are popular here among some other worthy brands. Also, you may find later that you need a cheap umbrella stroller for quick trips and don’t need to pull out your full featured stroller. Look around while your at the mall-you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s all bulky travel systems and $20 teeny-weeny umbrella strollers-which are not comfy for DC, or you to hunch over and push. (At least in my suburban area) ;) If you really want to do it right the first time get a Maclaren Quest (you can bargain shop for these too at the sites I listed above).

HTH, Happy shopping!
Rebekah

[erzzie]

All P3's, any year, come with cupholders and adjustable handlebars. The cupholder is only big enough to hold a coke can or 16oz water bottle, so I found it pretty worthless (mall drinks are usually a lot bigger than that). I just bought a valco cupholder for my P3 so I'm hoping that works out better. Another option is a Carry You Milan or Demi-Milan. (Available at www.letsgostrolling.com or www.carryyou.com)

As far as the Metrolite on gravel....it won't work. Don't waste the money. Gravel needs a stroller with air tires, and honestly, a fixed front wheel would be the best choice. Your baby should probably be 6 months or even a year (if you walk fast) before you do much walking on gravel (to avoid Shaken Baby Syndrome type issues). If I were you, I would either register for a fixed wheel jogger with air tires now (if you think you have enough people who want to buy you that sort of gift), or wait till your baby is older and see if you really think you need it then.

The Metrolite's best usage would be in the mall, on completely smooth floors. I don't think it would hold up if you used it outside, and I think you'd be horrified at how badly it would do on gravel.

Good luck!

[hobokengirl]

does it go to a 90degree angle to sit straight up?

[nfowife]

Yes, the P3 does have an upright seatback which can go to just about 90 degrees. It also has a floating harness that is not permanently attached to the seatback so your baby can be strapped in with a shoulder harness, but not stuck back against the seat and can lean forward to the tray and hold on, move around, etc. It's a great feature!

[pbj]

I just ordered the A3 this week!
Here's a picture of it as a regular stroller and converted to a pram:
http://www.barebabies.com/pegpea3mest.html#

For me, I just *really* wanted the pram feature! The basket is also huge and easier to get to. I prefer the smaller fold on the P3, but I was willing to give it up.
Some other random comments:
- the wheels on the A3 are a little bigger than the P3
- the P3 handle heights are adjustable, not so for the A3
- the A3 folds really easy, but folds down to the ground
- the snugride will work with either of these strollers.
- definitely go for the 2005 models! You can find 2005 P3's as low as $200. I LOVE the new anise color but it's not worth and extra $100. For the A3, you can get a 2005 online for $300, I think the 2006 would be $350+ in the stores.
- some of the Baby Depot's in my area carried both models so I could play with them side by side.

[MNmomtobe]

Okay went to look at the P3 yesterday- couldn't find the A3. Will look for that at USA Baby today. The P3 didn't seem to recline very far. I thought it was a almost flat recline but I may still consider this stroller. I was very impressed with the small fold, as was DH.
Question, if I were to get this stroller I was going to get a demi-milan but wouldn't it get in the way of the closing mechanism on the handles? I know it wouldn't get in the way of the fold itself but it seems like as you squeeze the levers on the handles, the demi-milan straps or a skip hop dash's straps would be in the way. Is this not the case?
Thanks!

[MNmomtobe]

Thanks for posting the link! The A3 looks adorable as a pram! I wasn't able to find it at Baby Depot yesterday but will look for it as USA Baby.

[Aunt to sweet baby boy]

On the P3 there are these little hooks underneath where the closing mechanism is. I have the milan attached to these hooks. I am not able to attach a picture of it, but go to the carry you web site and there is a place where you can see it attached to the strollers on these little hooks. I can take a picture of it later if you want on Avi's P3.

HTH

Ilana

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/4koy/2.png

[MNmomtobe]

Thanks! I didn't notice the hooks yesterday when looking at the P3. I guess I wasn't looking for them either- Thanks again! :)

[MNmomtobe]

Can I correctly assume that the A3 has a flatter infant recline than the P3 since it can also be used as a pram?

[MNmomtobe]

Thanks for your response. I guess our roads aren't true gravel but they are not completely smooth either. That's why I wrote "gravely". They have a layer of very finely crushed gravel like material? Not real bumpy but I didn't want to wear out the wheels of a $200-350 stroller just for walks around the neighborhood. Hope this post makes any sense. My head is still cloudy from the confusion of trying to pick the right stroller. :)