EagerlyAwaitingBaby
05-06-2005, 08:53 PM
When I was pregnant, I was choosing between the Venezia and the P3 and posters were quick to tell me that the P3 is a much better stroller. I bought the P3 and I've been disappointed with it. I find that the plastic seat recline mechanism is not smooth at all - I often accidently only recline one side of the seat and not the other. In contrast, the Venezia has a metal seat recline that is easier to use. Whenever I put anything in the P3's basket, I feel like I need the jaws of life to get it out. And my baby hates riding in it because she likes to see me. Yes, you can use the carseat with the P3, but DD cries in her carseat. Whenever we took the P3, I had DD in one hand while I push the P3 in the other. Also, sometimes the fold mechanism sticks and I find myself wrestling to get it closed in parking lots. Maybe it is a great stroller for toddlers, but I really don't think it is a good stroller for newborns. Yes, the fold is small (I do love all the extra trunk space) but I feel that you get more for your money with the Venezia compared to the P3.
Anyway, I got a 2004 Venezia and we love it! The baby is always happy in there - she can ride around for hours in the Venezia. And when she is tired, I recline the seatback, and she sleeps really cozily, snuggled under her boot. The split apron boot is awesome for the spring weather. I can sit DD in there with some toys and with the top of the boot unzipped, her toys won't fall out of the stroller like they do in the P3. She can even sleep on her tummy, which she couldn't do in the P3 because of the incline of the seat. The wheels are not huge on the Venezia, but it handles fine on city sidewalks (I live in Chicago) - the wheels are the same size as the ones on my P3. I looked on the Peg Perego website to make sure I'm not imagining things and both strollers have the same sized wheels. The Aria wheels are over an inch smaller. DH even used the Venezia on grass and he said it was great! He actually loves the Venezia and was initially opposed to me getting it because we already had the P3 plus a Navetta system. But now, he's so happy I bought it. I find the handling to be great, so long as the wheels closest to the handle are locked. We only use it in reverse and we have no complaints about steering. I actually found the P3 harder to steer in a straight line! The basket is HUGE! It is sooo much better than the basket on the P3. It is so much easier to get things in and out because you can push it down. It is also sturdier. I feel like the P3 basket is a hammock. This one has a base and I can actually keep my raincover in there while the stroller is folded. With the P3 the basket has to be totally empty.
I know PP added bigger wheels - maybe a lot of the negative reviews are outdated? I really think the Venezia is a wonderful stroller. Yes, you'll want a lighter stroller later on. But the P3 seems like a better stroller for toddlers. If I had to do it again I'd get a Venezia right away and get a Mac later on. If I had to rate strollers, I'd give the Venezia 4 1/2 stars (the cupholder is a joke!) and the P3 3 stars.
-- Lauren
Anyway, I got a 2004 Venezia and we love it! The baby is always happy in there - she can ride around for hours in the Venezia. And when she is tired, I recline the seatback, and she sleeps really cozily, snuggled under her boot. The split apron boot is awesome for the spring weather. I can sit DD in there with some toys and with the top of the boot unzipped, her toys won't fall out of the stroller like they do in the P3. She can even sleep on her tummy, which she couldn't do in the P3 because of the incline of the seat. The wheels are not huge on the Venezia, but it handles fine on city sidewalks (I live in Chicago) - the wheels are the same size as the ones on my P3. I looked on the Peg Perego website to make sure I'm not imagining things and both strollers have the same sized wheels. The Aria wheels are over an inch smaller. DH even used the Venezia on grass and he said it was great! He actually loves the Venezia and was initially opposed to me getting it because we already had the P3 plus a Navetta system. But now, he's so happy I bought it. I find the handling to be great, so long as the wheels closest to the handle are locked. We only use it in reverse and we have no complaints about steering. I actually found the P3 harder to steer in a straight line! The basket is HUGE! It is sooo much better than the basket on the P3. It is so much easier to get things in and out because you can push it down. It is also sturdier. I feel like the P3 basket is a hammock. This one has a base and I can actually keep my raincover in there while the stroller is folded. With the P3 the basket has to be totally empty.
I know PP added bigger wheels - maybe a lot of the negative reviews are outdated? I really think the Venezia is a wonderful stroller. Yes, you'll want a lighter stroller later on. But the P3 seems like a better stroller for toddlers. If I had to do it again I'd get a Venezia right away and get a Mac later on. If I had to rate strollers, I'd give the Venezia 4 1/2 stars (the cupholder is a joke!) and the P3 3 stars.
-- Lauren