Convertible Car Seat Recommendations?

Melissa - posted on 01/08/2009

Love my Britax Marathon too.

Dela - posted on 01/07/2009

Just a small suggestion: Don't buy your Britax from Ebay. I made such a mistake and mine doesn't look authentic. Overall it's all right but the cover is not that durable. My other two Britax I bought thru Toys R us.

Naomi - posted on 01/07/2009

Quoting Kelli:

Convertible Car Seat Recommendations?

I am looking for a Convertible Car Seat for my 8 month old son. He is growing out of his infant car seat and is ready to move up to a Convertible Car Seat. My husband and I have a 1994 Toyota 4-Runner and a 2002 Toyota Pre-runner and we need something that will fit in both vehicles. Do you have any recommendations?

I will have to agree with the Britax. Both of my boys used that seat and nw we are in the Britax booster, love it! Although, the Britax is a L.A.T.C.H. System seat. I am not sure your 1994 Toyota has that system. I know your 2002 will because we have had a 4-runner made after 2000. You may want to look into that. The LATCH system makes it more stable and safer. You can use the lap belt on it but, you will notice the difference in how secure it is. I hope this helps!

Cathreena - posted on 01/07/2009

We have the Britax Roundabout for our 10 month old son, a hand-me-down from his sister. It's uncomplicated, safe and easy to install. Big sister now has the Britax Marathon. You can't go wrong with a Britax - good safety record, easy to buckle kids in/out and most importantly very easy to install properly. We bought a cheap Evenflo for carpooling and I hate it. Spend the extra money for a good carseat. It is worth it for your child's safety. Save your money on other children items but not your carseat!

Kerri - posted on 01/06/2009

I bought the Evenflo Titan. It has just as high crash ratings in Consumer Reports as the Britax brand but is WAY cheaper. We bought one and loved it so we bought another for Daddy's car. It's very easy to get baby in and out. My daughter is now nearly 19 months and still fits great. I expect she will fit at least another year or more.

Dorinda - posted on 01/06/2009

My daughter is extra tall and is at the top of the growth charts so I spent the extra and got a Britax.  It had higher height and weight limits than some other brands so I will be able to use it longer. 

Tracy - posted on 01/06/2009

I have the britax marathon and I love it. It is an extremely safe carseat, and it is easy to clean when you have messy toddlers. My daughter has been in hers for over two years now and I have never had a complaint.

User - posted on 01/06/2009

We have the Eddie Bauer Bryant and the it is a pain to install in the rear facing position, otherwise it works well.

Sarah - posted on 01/06/2009

I agree with Amy Snyder, all the car seats have to pass the same safety checks. When my daughter was car seat aged, I elected to get 2 of the cheaper ones, so that I didnt have to move it when I moved cars. I worked out great for me. All of the fire departments and some car dealerships will help you to install and make sure the seat properly fits into your car. Good luck!

Amy - posted on 01/05/2009

I work as a firefighter and have the carseat technician certification so I will give you a few facts as an fyi.  All carseats have to pass the same tests to be put on shelves and sold. So price has nothing to do with safety, it is all in how much you want to spend on the color, style, and amenities like cup holders.  When picking out a seat you should make sure it is going to last while. There are seats that go from convertible to booster.  They have just recently passed a new law about 2 weeks ago that children have to stay in the booster until they are 8 yrs old or 4' 10" tall.  It was 4 yrs and 40lbs.  The seat needs to fit your car and your child!  Costco seats are both inexpensive and nice looking.  You can find a good seat for $30-$40 easily.  Britax are nice but pricey. Good Luck!

Laura - posted on 01/05/2009

I love my Britax roudabout and they are right - you can't beat that brand!!!  Definitely worth the extra $$$

Tracey - posted on 01/05/2009

Britax makes a great seat - we have used the Evenflo Triumph for both my kids since they outgrew their infant seats... we've been very happy with them.

There is also the Sunshine Kids Radian65 (or 80 - they have 2 models) that can go from birth to 65 or 80 pounds ~ with a 5-point harness. They can basically use until they can go directly to sitting on the seat with the seatbelt! They are narrower than most of the other seats out there and you can actually fit 3 across the back seat of nearly any vehicle - if that is an issue...

Stephanie - posted on 01/05/2009

We have the Britax Boulevard for both our 3yr old and 8mth old and wouldn't dream of buying any other car seat. It will hold them until they are 65 pounds, there is also a height limit too but I don't remember off the top of my head what it is. Here is the link http://www.britaxusa.com/products/produc...

Amy - posted on 01/05/2009

i know this is going to sound crazy but keep it in mind it will be better if you buy a slightly cheaper carseat I am saying not 150Dollars or more and get two cheaper ones that are just as safe one for each vehicle if the child is in and out of both regularly or atleast fairly regularly they say most problems parents have is getting it installed the right way in the car if you get one for each car you should be able to go to any firedepartment and they will tell you if they are in tight enough and properly and then you dont have to worry about the straps lossening from wear as much and you know it is tight and not going anywhere The carseats I bought were about 60 a piece and they have all the safety requirement as the really super expencive ones and they should not be used more than 5 years anyways so even if you have more than one kid they dont recommend using them or keeping them any longer than that because the plastics can wear and break down and you not even know it

I am sorry this was really long and I hope you dont get mad at me but I just wanted to make sure you knew everything I have learned with two kids and more than one car and have been in an accident better safe than sorry

Michelle - posted on 01/05/2009

I just purchased a Britax Roundabout since it is the only convertible seat that will fit in my husband's car.  I bought it on eBay for a very reasonable price since the fabric is discountinued.  I will let you know how it works out. :)

Rachel - posted on 01/05/2009

I have the Britax Marathon for my 5 year old and have used it since birth.  Love it!  We have a Chevy Impala and it fits nicely in the back seat, but I was at the Red Giraffe the other day and happened to be looking through the latest car seats that were out and saw the Britax Roundabout and it did look nice and compact compared to the Britax Marathon or Boulevard, so it may be a good one to switch between vehicles and if one should have a smaller back seat. 

Kari - posted on 01/05/2009

Brittax is a great brand, esp if you plan to have more kids. The seat will last well with very few troubles.

Jennifer - posted on 01/05/2009

go for the britax roundabout or the next step up! easy to use..lasts through toddler up until they need a booster, and they are super easy to clean! a little pricey but worth it!

Carrie - posted on 01/05/2009

I have the Britax Marathon for my 2.5 year old and another one for my 6 month old as soon as she out grows the infant carrier. I have a 2003 VW Passat and they both will fit in there fine. It is a great car seat.