KCR4
11-13-2005, 09:34 PM
Julie & other Ody owners,
I have an 03 Ody on lease til April. I wanted to ask some carseat questions so I can start to prepare/lobby DH for what minivan I want next :)
Here's my kiddos ages/stats:
DS #1 is age 4, small for age, 36 lbs, 40 in.
DS #2 is age 2, average boy size for age, 27 lbs, 35 in
Both are FF (DS #2 made it RF to 20 mo. By that point, we were all going nuts listen to him wail about not seeing the trucks that DS #1 was constantly, unhelpfully pointing out.)
Originally I figured I'd definitely get an 06 Ody. But, I took a look at one recently and have some questions:
1.) I seriously dislike the new Ody third-row tether situation (straps across the cargo hold). We are TTC baby #3. If this happens soon, I anticipate moving both DS #1 and DS #2 to the third row in tethered Britax seats - we have one Wizard and one MA. (Copying what some of my friends do with their minivans and three kids -- I plan to remove one of the minivan's captains chair, for added room for stuff. That puts a new baby in the other captains chair. And both older kiddos in back. Thus, I need a good option for two tethered seats in the third row. Tether straps that block off the cargo hold won't cut it!) The way I see it, I almost can't get the Ody based on this criterion alone. So, Sienna or Quest? OR something else?
2.) The new Ody didn't have the tether anchor for the captains chair UNDER the seat. I really like this feature on my 03 Ody. Why did they change this? Can you rear-face-tether all the way under now, like before?
3.) Are there any carseat techs with reservations to be voiced on putting DS #1 and DS #2 in the third row, versus keeping one of them in a captains chair next to a hoped-for baby #3?
4.) This weekend, I just moved DS #1's MA shoulder straps up to the top slot. At the same time, I removed the original foam and used the replacement foam for use with top slots only. LOVE THE DIFFERENCE. Especially with a jacket on now, DS #1 has lots more wiggle room! Why isn't this feature better advertised? It will be a LOOOOONG time before DS #1 outgrows this seat.
5.) A final question. DH has a Britax King in his car (Acura TL), on a permanent basis. DS #1 needs the top slots, DS #2 needs the middle slots for his shoulder height. They both ride at different times with Daddy. Is it worse to have the harness slots be higher than DS #2 needs, or lower than DS #1's shoulders? Right now, I have them set for DS #2. That way, if both boys ride in Daddy's car, we pop the Britax Parkway booster in for DS #1, and we are all set.
Thank you for all your help!
p.s. To admit my Britax obsession, I'll also mention that I own a RA that lives in MIL's car and a Laptop that lives in my neighbor's car (an Expedition with a middle seat position with no shoulder belt - she carpools with me). If only I can save myself from buying a new model Britax!
I have an 03 Ody on lease til April. I wanted to ask some carseat questions so I can start to prepare/lobby DH for what minivan I want next :)
Here's my kiddos ages/stats:
DS #1 is age 4, small for age, 36 lbs, 40 in.
DS #2 is age 2, average boy size for age, 27 lbs, 35 in
Both are FF (DS #2 made it RF to 20 mo. By that point, we were all going nuts listen to him wail about not seeing the trucks that DS #1 was constantly, unhelpfully pointing out.)
Originally I figured I'd definitely get an 06 Ody. But, I took a look at one recently and have some questions:
1.) I seriously dislike the new Ody third-row tether situation (straps across the cargo hold). We are TTC baby #3. If this happens soon, I anticipate moving both DS #1 and DS #2 to the third row in tethered Britax seats - we have one Wizard and one MA. (Copying what some of my friends do with their minivans and three kids -- I plan to remove one of the minivan's captains chair, for added room for stuff. That puts a new baby in the other captains chair. And both older kiddos in back. Thus, I need a good option for two tethered seats in the third row. Tether straps that block off the cargo hold won't cut it!) The way I see it, I almost can't get the Ody based on this criterion alone. So, Sienna or Quest? OR something else?
2.) The new Ody didn't have the tether anchor for the captains chair UNDER the seat. I really like this feature on my 03 Ody. Why did they change this? Can you rear-face-tether all the way under now, like before?
3.) Are there any carseat techs with reservations to be voiced on putting DS #1 and DS #2 in the third row, versus keeping one of them in a captains chair next to a hoped-for baby #3?
4.) This weekend, I just moved DS #1's MA shoulder straps up to the top slot. At the same time, I removed the original foam and used the replacement foam for use with top slots only. LOVE THE DIFFERENCE. Especially with a jacket on now, DS #1 has lots more wiggle room! Why isn't this feature better advertised? It will be a LOOOOONG time before DS #1 outgrows this seat.
5.) A final question. DH has a Britax King in his car (Acura TL), on a permanent basis. DS #1 needs the top slots, DS #2 needs the middle slots for his shoulder height. They both ride at different times with Daddy. Is it worse to have the harness slots be higher than DS #2 needs, or lower than DS #1's shoulders? Right now, I have them set for DS #2. That way, if both boys ride in Daddy's car, we pop the Britax Parkway booster in for DS #1, and we are all set.
Thank you for all your help!
p.s. To admit my Britax obsession, I'll also mention that I own a RA that lives in MIL's car and a Laptop that lives in my neighbor's car (an Expedition with a middle seat position with no shoulder belt - she carpools with me). If only I can save myself from buying a new model Britax!