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EX versus EX-L trying to decide

18 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 10:02 PM

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#9 of 18 Re: EX vs EXL [angelchicago] by olavanman Apr 23, 2009 (3:03 pm)
Replying to: angelchicago (Apr 16, 2009 2:53 am) Hello Angelchicago!! I know the new ODY's just come with three LATCH positions for installing car seats. With three kids, have you ever noticed that as a problem?   The Sienna LE 8 seater comes with 5 LATCH, and this fact is holding up our decision making. We are on the fence just becuase of this! I really like all the features of the Ody EX-L, except the lack of multiple seating poistion LATCH connections. Any opinion i smuch appreciated! Cheers! Replies to this message: oddyshopper (Apr 25, 2009 6:22 am) angelchicago (Apr 25, 2009 8:38 am)
#10 of 18 Re: EX vs EXL [olavanman] by oddyshopper Apr 25, 2009 (6:22 am)
Replying to: olavanman (Apr 23, 2009 3:03 pm) Also consider the Odyssey latch it is only rated up to 40 lbs (I'm not sure where I read this), so depending on the size of your kids it may not be relevant for long. I went with the Odyssey and for my 35lb four year old use both the latch and the car seatbelt to secure her big carseat.   One of our deciding factors against the Sienna is that it is rated "poor" in the insurance industries overall and dynamic impact tests. The test may not appliy to car seats, but I care about the adults in my car too:   http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/headrestraints.aspx?toyota http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/headrestraints.aspx?honda   While latch is convenient it is not necessarily safer. (for some years at least one car seats latch was actually demonstrated less safe than using the seat belt). The main advantage of latch is that it's easier "to get it right", however if you read the manual installing via belt is not that much harder.   So as I see it the Sienna has a strike against it regarding safety and the honda has a strike against it concerning convenience.   Also regarding convenience: We removed the +1 seat in the honda and pushed the seats together putting the infant car seat on the seat moved towards the center. The position is ideal as it is close but just off-center enough that from the driver seat I can reach my hand back to check on my 4 month old. The sienna has that nicer +1 seat that slides forward but I like having my kids in the full size seats. They are massive and well built versus the middle seats which look like more of an afterthought. I'm not sure if the sienna can slide the full size seat towards the center?   I'm not sure how many rear tethers the sienna has but I was hauling some stuff yesterday and when I was folding the seats was surprised to see rear teathers hidden under a flap. I think the odyssey has 5 rear teathers.
#11 of 18 Re: EX vs EXL [olavanman] by angelchicago Apr 25, 2009 (8:38 am)
Replying to: olavanman (Apr 23, 2009 3:03 pm) We spent good time investing in car seats in our kids earlier years when they were 5 and under. We had two Britax seats, think it was the roundabourt and Husky model. Althought the Britax seats come with latches we have not used them as by the time we got our Honda 2 of our 3 kids were using boosters which do not use latches. Our kids are now 6,8 and 9 so latches for us is a non issue as we do not use any of them. All our kids are on booster seats which use the seatbelt buckle.   So I belive 5 of the 6 kid seats have latches. You will need to decide if you need 6 of the 6 seats to have latches.   The Toyota was our second choice. We test drove the Toyota and Honda back to back and my wife clearly wanted the Honda after the test drive. She found the Honda to drive more car like where the Toyota steering was a bit loosy goosy and Toyota shocks were more plushy. The Honda made my wife feel more in control. Good luck.
#12 of 18 Backup camera. Help me decide. by andy_edmunds Apr 26, 2009 (11:26 am)
Hi, My preference is to get just the basic EX-L model. I do not care too much for NAV or RES. But before I decide that, I need some help deciding on back up camera as the display is linked to NAV system. Bigger display of backup camera image is only available with NAV option. Otherwise it is much smaller display in the rear view mirror.   I want to hear from folks who have had experience with either one of the models that is equipped with the NAV or without NAV. What are your experiences of user experience of back up camera. Are you happy with smaller image in Rear view mirror or is it much better with NAV display.   What is your reasoning behind choosing one over the other.   Thanks in advance Any Replies to this message: dsrtrat2 (Apr 26, 2009 3:49 pm) andy_edmunds (Apr 26, 2009 7:08 pm) sarge_in (Apr 28, 2009 3:37 pm) andy_edmunds (May 20, 2009 10:02 pm) fillykonk (Apr 29, 2009 7:47 am) andy_edmunds (May 20, 2009 10:01 pm)
#13 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [andy_edmunds] by dsrtrat2 Apr 26, 2009 (3:49 pm)
Replying to: andy_edmunds (Apr 26, 2009 11:26 am) I have the mirror display. If one will take a second or two to really look at the image you can see very clearly what is behind you, from right below the bumper and back. I would think the key to either system is concentrate on the image for those two seconds. Maybe study the full mirror image before putting the van into reverse to get a different perspective. Replies to this message: andy_edmunds (Apr 26, 2009 7:08 pm)
#14 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [dsrtrat2] by andy_edmunds Apr 26, 2009 (7:08 pm)
Replying to: dsrtrat2 (Apr 26, 2009 3:49 pm) Dsrtrat2....Thanks for replying.
#15 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [andy_edmunds] by sarge_in Apr 28, 2009 (3:37 pm)
Replying to: andy_edmunds (Apr 26, 2009 11:26 am) I actually prefer the camera image on the rear-view mirror (which is what I have). The reason being that I am already looking into it when I am backing up, so I see the image right there. If it were on the NAV, I would have to look down at the screen AND also at the rear-view mirror to be doubly sure - relatively more work than the 1st option. And its clear enuff to let me know if I am gonna hit anything.   That said, if I ever put in an aftermarket unit with a screen, I will explore if I can duplicate the image in the screen as well just for kicks. If it was either-or situation, I would most definitely stay with the rear-view mirror image. Replies to this message: andy_edmunds (May 20, 2009 10:02 pm)
#16 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [andy_edmunds] by fillykonk Apr 29, 2009 (7:47 am)
Replying to: andy_edmunds (Apr 26, 2009 11:26 am) We have an 09 EX-L with RES/NAV. It's my wife's van and she drives it more than me, but I also have the NAV in my 08 Acura TL. In either vehicle, I find that the view on the NAV screen is so good I don't need to use the mirror itself. I still do at times but its more out of habit than anything. I don't see how the mirror camera could be as effective as you are dealing with a 2-inch square view vs. 8 inches with the NAV but I wouldn't let that stop you from getting the van of your choice. Replies to this message: andy_edmunds (May 20, 2009 10:01 pm)
#17 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [fillykonk] by andy_edmunds May 20, 2009 (10:01 pm)
Replying to: fillykonk (Apr 29, 2009 7:47 am) Thanks for the reply. Useful information.
#18 of 18 Re: Backup camera. Help me decide. [sarge_in] by andy_edmunds May 20, 2009 (10:02 pm)
Replying to: sarge_in (Apr 28, 2009 3:37 pm) Thanks for the reply. Useful information.

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