OT: Favorite Car Seat Under $200

[MasterChief]

Our DS (7 months) is about to out-grow his Graco infant car seat so we need to invest in a convertible car seat since he isn't 1 yet. Our budget is anything up to $200.

What car seat do you recommend?

Additional Note: He is very tall and skinny!! In the 75th percentile for height and 25th %'tile for weight...not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[tanyaandallie]

First Years True-Fit

Evenflo Triumph Advance

The NEW AOE with the 50 lb weight limit

Britax Marathon (you can oftne find them for close to $200 online)

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a991035/faq_and_car_safety_tips_bb_links

Scroll down to the bottom of the link.

 

[disneybridetobe]

We have the Britax Decathlon, we bought it brand new, on ebay for $199 SHIPPED, brand new in the box, never opened. It was a great deal. It's basically a Marathon with extra padding that we no longer use. (We also have a Marathon.) I can tell you the seller's name if you'd like, since I'm not sure I can post publicly. You *can* get a new Britax for under $200. I'd say get a Marathon/Decathlon before you get a Roundabout, they have lower weight limits, which means you'll need another seat sooner. Sure, they're less expensive, but it'll cost you more in the long run.

We also have a Cosco Alpha Omega, this one is in my mom's car. I also like this one because it should last her until she's out of a booster. She does sit a bit more comfortably in it, and complains less when she's in it!

I really don't have a bad thing to say about either seat. The Britax does seem sturdier, though. Both were recommended by consumer reports.

I'm sure someone can tell you what the weight limits are for rear-facing and forward-facing for both of these seats, I can't remember offhand since it's been awhile since we've purchased a car seat. Either way, you'll get longevity out of either.

Albeebaby often runs deals on Britax seats and they ship for free on orders over $100. If you don't see what you like right this second, and you have time before your DS outgrows his infant seat, keep checking back. Babies R Us is just plain old expensive, but Target sometimes has deals on Britaxes too.

http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-decathlon-convertible-car-seat-cappuccino-fabric.html This is $19 more than your limit, but they do ship for free. I wouldn't have posted it if it were more than $20 over.. but it wasn't, so I thought you might want to take a peek.

HTH!

 

[GoofyG]

First Years True-Fit
This seat has a higher height then some of the other seats.


The other seat I would recomend is a Britax Marathon.

Go to
http://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php?f=2

 

[snoopy5386]

I would also reccommend the first years true fit. And please also do some research on extended rearfacing. 1 year old and 20 lbs is the MINIMUM recommendation for forward facing. Rearfacing is 5 times safer. A child who is rearfacing is 5 times less likely to die or be seriously injured in an accident. The true fit (and many other seats) rearface to 35 lbs. My DD will turn 3 next week is 29 lbs and is still Rearfacing in her Britax Boulevard. http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

 

[GoofyG]

I would also reccommend the first years true fit. And please also do some research on extended rearfacing. 1 year old and 20 lbs is the MINIMUM recommendation for forward facing. Rearfacing is 5 times safer. A child who is rearfacing is 5 times less likely to die or be seriously injured in an accident. The true fit (and many other seats) rearface to 35 lbs. My DD will turn 3 next week is 29 lbs and is still Rearfacing in her Britax Boulevard. http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

 

[EmilyJ]

Because your child is tall, I would stay away from COSCO seats. (Safety First and Eddie bauer are also really COSCO seats) Cosco seats also have higher recall rates and more people complain about twisty straps than on other seats.

Your child is MUCH safer staying rear facing for much longer. You can watch crash test videos on YOU TUBE with teh difference. My daughter was RF til she was 3. Having her legs scrunched is perfectly safe, and actually comfortable. just like sitting cross legged on teh floor. Most convertible seats can RF til 33-35 pounds, depending.

I have a Britax Marathon (my DD is now 5 and STILL sits in it, my 7 year old wants one because its so comfy) I love it. Its an awesome seat and their LATCH system is super easy.

I also love the Evenflo Triumph that was recommended above, but their shoulder slots arent very high. DD would have outgrown it by height already, but still has two slots above where she is in the Marathon.

 

[meredy338]

We love the Evenflo Symphony! The SureLatch is incredibly easy to install and it has easy adjusting shoulder straps. It also converts to a booster to 100 lbs.