Side air bags on Odyssey worth trading?

BrookeSLP

New member
I have a 2004 Odyssey that I love, but am considering trading it in for a 2006 so I can have side air bags. Anyone done the same? I can't decide if it would be worth the $$$$.
 
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murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Hi. I think it's a big decision. We traded our 2000 Sienna for a 2005 Sienna mostly for the side air bags with the extra tether anchors and fold down 3rd row coming in a close 2nd. In my city, we have a huge number of red light/stop sign runners and drunk drivers, and it's just not a safe place to drive, so that factored into my decision quite heavily. Since we tend to hang onto our vehicles for many years, having the side air bags means that we'll have this van for quite some time since I don't see any super new safety features coming out any time soon.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
I often wonder the same thing... but I've decided I can wait till my kids are out of seats... they are currently in a Husky and a Recaro Start in my 2003 Ody, and I feel like it's a big enough, safe enough car that having the SIP of the carseats is 'good enough'... when they are too big for seats, I'll be out shopping for a new vehicle with side curtain airbags (our other car has curtain airbags, and I laugh at myself for STILL making my kids ride in Parkways with SIP, even though I tell myself that a backless booster would be more than fine (they are 8 and 6 and can sit fairly well in backless boosters)... :)
 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member
Yep - I was really wracking my brain whether or not to accept the trade in offer (the dealership broke my Hybrid) ... I'd had side curtain & front seat airbags in the Hybrid Escape , but the Freestar minivan doesn't have either - for me, the decision to take the Freestar offer was based on better frontal crash ratings compared to the Escape (front crashes being more likely than side impacts) ... by the time my kiddos are out of their harness seats I'll be able to get a vehicle with side curtain airbags again :eek: But, if you can swing the trade without any hardship & just really want to then go ahead :)
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
I traded our 2001 Odyssey for a 2006, primarily for side curtain airbags and stability control. Side impacts cause the most fatalities to properly restrained passengers, according to the IIHS. I think they are a very important feature. I also wanted the split folding third row seat and the 8th seat for hauling an extra kid.

Hard to say if I'd have traded a 2004 or not. That's a tougher call. Good luck with your choice!
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
I can't wait until we can afford a new car with all the new features, at this point I'll be happy with 5 shoulder belts. :p
 

BrookeSLP

New member
I have two kids in MA and a third due in Oct. My kids will be harnessed until at least age 6 and most likely age 8. I *think* we will probably hang onto it until until they the oldest two are in boosters. Thanks for the input, I worry too much!

Brooke:)
 

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