Car Seats

Hi Ladies,

Thanks so much in advance for your help.  I have not been on this board before, and you have probably covered this about 50 times . . . but here goes:

I am looking for strong recommendations on what to buy for my 2.8 year-old.  I also have a 4 month old.  I currently have have the Graco Snugride for my 4-month old and would like to move her up to our Marathons in a couple of months.  Before I do, however, I need to get new seats for my older DD (who is now in the Marathons).  I would like a seat that I can keep her in a 5-pt harness as long as possible, but also that transitions to a booster for when she gets older.  I am from MN and they just passed a law that says they have to be in seats til 8 years old or 4'9", whichever is first. 

So I would love your recommendations on where to start looking. 

DD is 2.8 years old, 33 pounds, and 36 inches tall.  But as I stated I would like this seat to grow with her.  She currently rides forward facing. 

Of course we want good deals on the seats.  I am a bargain hunter.  That being said, we are okay financially and so don't really have a top end. 

We need two seats.  One for my car, Acura MDX and another for DH's car, BMW 330 xi 4 door.  Both cars have latch systems. 

There is nothing that out of the ordinary about my DD.  She is 80% in height and weight.  She is not a Houdini, generally she sits still. 

I would really appreciate any recommendations on which you find the best for ratings, ease, comfort, etc.  I want to get this decision right!  Thanks all. 

Beth

Thanks for stopping in and doing some research! Too many parents don't know better and end up buying a seat that says "the last seat you will ever need" only to find it lacks in certain areas.

There are a couple seats that make good investments for long term use as 5 pt harness and boosters. The top two I would recommend are:

The Graco nautilus (FFing only, 5 pt harness to 65 lbs, then HBB and LBB. Nice TALL shell ((make sure you pull the red handle on top of it to fully extend it when checking it out in the store)) I *think* the booster part has an 8 year expiration but not positive on that part). Some Target stores have certain patterns on sale now for $109, but they usually run about $150-$180 each. Parents have reported head slumping on occassion.

The Britax Frontier (FFing only, 5 pt harness to 80 lbs, then HBB and I think LBB. Nice and tall as well. A bit pricier at around $300. Some parents have had problems with the covers not being typical Britax standards (don't think any plush covers are available, velcro shoes tend to pile the fabric). Can be a PITB to install in some vehicles- it's about the same size as a regent.

There are a lot of other seats that "convert" from 5 pt to harness, but sadly most have low slot heights, weight limits, or make REALLY bad boosters. (To clarify- not saying ALL are bad, just not familiar with any other really GOOD choices). Hope that helps!

Graco Nautilus 150.00 harness & high back booster 6 year expiration low back booster 9 year expiration
or
Britax Frontier 279.00 (?)9 year expiration and doesn't turn into a low back booster.

both harness to 65 lbs, have nice tall harness slots.