So dh says money is no issue :goodvibes: , he wants the very best and safest carseat for our growing dd2 and for our 2 yr old ds
We had a friend who was recently in a bad car crash and her 11mo old ds was hurt pretty bad due to a 'cheaply made' carseat - though it could have been installed wrong
We have always had Graco infant carseats, and then ds is currently in the front facing :blush: carseat that dd1 outgrew, we got it at walmart, I think it is Eddie Baure eddition, I cant remember the brand name right now.
Well dh finally realized that not all car seat are the same, and that we definatly need to get ds ( 2years and almost 30lbs) and dd2 (8mo and almost 20lbs) new car seats for our main vehical, a GMC Yukon XL (like a chevy Suburban).
He told me $$$ is not to be a deciding factor, but that he would like to get both for $500 or less if it's possible
Please help me find the best for my LO's and pics or links would be great !
TIA !
emilysvenson
03-26-2008, 06:23 PM
For the older one, the Britax Regent is a great seat if you can afford it. Another choice would be the Safety First Apex 65, which we have and like a lot. These are both forward-facing seats with high harness straps that will keep your child in a 5-point harness for a long time.
Your 8 month old should really still be rear-facing at least until a year and ideally quite a bit longer. I'd recommend a Britax Marathon (or Decathlon, Boulevard, etc.). It will work rear-facing for quite a while and can then be used forward facing until probably age 3 or 4. A seat that's similar to the Marathon (also made by Britax) but cheaper is the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe.
So, it wouldn't be hard to spend $500 if you went with two Britaxes, but you could also spend half that if you got the Apex and Safe Voyage.
Shaunam
03-26-2008, 06:48 PM
I always, always recommend britax first. Especially if money is not a concern. If you don't intend to turn your older child back rf'ing, then I'd go for a regent. For your younger one, a boulevard.
ETA: I just saw you are trying to keep it under $500. In that case, maybe just a marathon for your younger child. You can usually find select ones on sale for $220 or so.
Shaunam
03-26-2008, 06:50 PM
What is your 5 year old in?
pixilated
03-26-2008, 07:21 PM
Graco Nautilus or Sunshine Kids Radian 65 for your 2yo, and a Radian or an Evenflo Triumph Advance for your younger child. That is, if the Radian fits your vehicles.
gabesmamamadeit
03-26-2008, 07:38 PM
If you have time you might want to check out www.car-seat.org. THere are lots of techs and knowoledgeable(sp?) people there that can help you pick carseats that will fit your vehicle and keep your kids as safe as possible.
redneckmama
03-26-2008, 07:43 PM
If it were me I would get a Marathon for the 8 month old(rear facing of course!), and a Regent for the 2 year old. I just checked and www.albeebaby.com has the regent for as low as $219 and the marathon for as low as $210 with free shipping. HTH!
SemperFiMama3
03-26-2008, 08:02 PM
Wow, thank you all sooo much. I am planning to keep dd2 rear facing till 2 years, we just switched ds recently - and if i can get him a better car seat soon then all the better :)
Dh just up'ed my $$ to $600 ;)
and we have an XL SUV.
Please keep suggestions coming , and if any of you have pics of your LOs in any that would be great to !!
Sweet_Fantasy_Fox
03-26-2008, 08:13 PM
we just got the radian 80 for ds1 and i LOVE it!!
jackyl08
03-26-2008, 08:17 PM
For the baby, I would go with a big Britax or an Evenflo Triumph Deluxe. The Radian is ok, but has some install issues. The Britax Boulevard is probably the nicest of the bunch. It has True Side Impact Protection.
For the toddler, I would go with a Britax Regent or the Graco Nautilus.
You can definately do this for $600, easily.
BGsMom
03-26-2008, 08:23 PM
We love our Sunshine Kids Radian 65, but I have not used it rearfacing, only forward facing for my oldest 2 (5 1/2 & almost 7). We have no problems getting it installed tightly.
We also have Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (same shell as Marathon) and really like it as well. There are many good choices you can make. Good Luck deciding which to get
SemperFiMama3
03-26-2008, 08:34 PM
What is your 5 year old in?
a booster, that dh bought at walmart :blush:
I am having a hard time w/ dh and their carseats - he doesnt get or at least he didnt till recently - that you get what you pay for.
Any reccomendations for her ???
michiko
03-26-2008, 08:40 PM
I would do 2 Graco Nautilus for the older 2 kiddos, and then a boulevard for the youngest. That would be right around $600 for all three.
baby1577
03-26-2008, 09:45 PM
I would do 2 Graco Nautilus for the older 2 kiddos, and then a boulevard for the youngest. That would be right around $600 for all three.
:yeahthat:
Shaunam
03-26-2008, 09:55 PM
a booster, that dh bought at walmart :blush:
I am having a hard time w/ dh and their carseats - he doesnt get or at least he didnt till recently - that you get what you pay for.
Any reccomendations for her ???
Honestly, if it's a good booster, she's over 40 lbs, and she sits well in it, then that would be a judgement call. But she would be safer in a 5 point. I agree with the PP about the to GN's and a britax seat for the littlest.
momto3Es
03-26-2008, 11:17 PM
If the 5 year old sits well in the booster, I'd leave her in that. If not, I'd get her a Nautilus or a Regent. I'd look at a Nautilus, Regent, or Radian for the 2 year old too. And for the baby, I'd look at a Britax convertible (manufactured after February '08) or a Radian.
SemperFiMama3
03-27-2008, 07:50 AM
If the 5 year old sits well in the booster, I'd leave her in that. If not, I'd get her a Nautilus or a Regent. I'd look at a Nautilus, Regent, or Radian for the 2 year old too. And for the baby, I'd look at a Britax convertible (manufactured after February '08) or a Radian.
Why after Feb 08 ??????
and thanks
moobiegirl
03-27-2008, 08:18 AM
After Feb '08 the Britax has a 35lb rf limit.
We have a radian and an Evenflo Truimph Advanced. We love both! I would love two radians but I have a small car(honda fit) and it won't install rearfacing. The Nautilus is also a good choice for the older kids. good luck!
mom2riley
03-27-2008, 08:33 AM
Regent or Frontier (if you can wait a month or 2) for your DS and a Marathon or Boulevard for your DD. With your nice budget I wouldn't recommend anything but Britax.
SemperFiMama3
03-27-2008, 09:57 AM
Regent or Frontier (if you can wait a month or 2) for your DS and a Marathon or Boulevard for your DD. With your nice budget I wouldn't recommend anything but Britax.
Oh Tonya, I had hoped you would reply :goodvibes:
I love your pic and siggy :thumbsup:
So ... I found the Britax forsale in the Military Exchange Online Store at a discounted price. The Marathon for around $230 w/ free shipping and the Boulevard for $270 w/ free shipping.
Should I get them there, or are there better prices somewhere else.
Also , I am very very definate that I'm getting a Britax for my dd :D
But am having a hard time deciding between the two .......
is the Boulevard really the best ??
what would you do if $ wasnt a factor ??
mom2riley
03-27-2008, 10:43 AM
Thank you :goodvibes:
I am a cover obsessed person, lol. So which cover do you like best? Does your car have side curtain airbags? I think on the Marathon (depending on the cover) you may be able to find a better deal on another site. The BV is limited girlie cover choices, only the Meghan and Shannon so I think the military exchange is probably a good deal. I will help you look elsewhere, JLMK what cover you like.
Smidgerooski
03-27-2008, 11:38 AM
Britax Blvd...hands down :thumbsup:
SemperFiMama3
03-27-2008, 06:25 PM
Dh doesn't want to spend that kind of money on a 'girly' carseat , cause he's worried we will either get tired of the colors, or if we have another LO and it's a ds then we wouldnt be able to use it, kwim ?
We were looking at either the Onyx or the Barrington if we get a BLVD. WHich I am definatly leaning towards cause we do not have side curtain airbags.
OUr main vehicle that the kids are transported in 99% of the time is a
GMC Yukon XL - it is the exact same as a Chevy Suburban and it's a 2003.
THank you all so much for your help.:goodvibes: :hugs:
I wanted to add that my dh did say today - :blush:
" I don't know why we need such expensive carseats for them , I'm not planning on getting in any car wrecks. We havent been in one since before our first dd was born. Why cant we just keep using the carseat we have?" - I tried to explain and he then said " Okay , well I think you better handle this, cause I dont think we need to spend this much , but if it will help your piece of mind then get them "
_ Okay , so who plans on getting in a wreck ???:banghead:
And it was his idea to upgrade their seats just one week ago -why are men so absent minded , though I planned to do it anyway and just not tell him the cost :giggle2: :lostit:
SemperFiMama3
03-27-2008, 06:40 PM
If it were me I would get a Marathon for the 8 month old(rear facing of course!), and a Regent for the 2 year old. I just checked and www.albeebaby.com has the regent for as low as $219 and the marathon for as low as $210 with free shipping. HTH!
very helpful :thumbsup: thanks
and thank you all so much :goodvibes:
this would have taken me weeks to figure out without all your help
:hugs:
turtle2who
03-27-2008, 06:48 PM
2 Regents for the older kids and a Marathon for the baby. It will run you a little over $600 but they will last a LONG time. Unless you have big/tall kids, your baby will fit in the Marathon until your older dd outgrows the Regent - most likely- then the baby can take over the Regent.
luvsviola
03-27-2008, 08:15 PM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Boulevards!
mom2riley
03-28-2008, 10:14 AM
In that case I would go with a Boulevard. I love the infinate adjust and it gives extra protection when outboard and no side curtain airbags. I would go with the Barrington BLVD over Onyx, personally. The middle of the Onyx is a running pants kinda material, you know the kind that makes the "swoosh" sound, lol. The Barrington is the wonderful Britax plush all over. :wub:
Here is a link to the Frontier I mentioned for your DS before. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=40052
SemperFiMama3
03-28-2008, 03:35 PM
Ohhhh, that frontier looks nice :D
SemperFiMama3
03-29-2008, 03:45 PM
here is what my dd1 is in right now
http://store.babycenter.com/product/car+seats/toddler-booster+car+seats/turbobooster+safeseat+step+3+-+rainbow+butterflies.do?asc=false
and here is a newer version of what ds is in now, though my dh just admited to me that sometimes for short trips he doesnt put the shoulder parts on ds.
http://store.babycenter.com/product/on+sale/car+seats+on+sale/convertible+car+seats/eddie+bauer+deluxe+3-in-1+car+seat+with+epp+foam.do?asc=false
OMG !! I was so upset, we had a very long talk about even if it's a 5 min trip, accidents do happen, and often close to home.
He promised me that he wouldnever take that chance again :)
We are getting dd2 a BLVD for my vehical, and we are going to order her a Marathon for her Nana's van , cause starting in May when we move my mom will be taking the kids 2-3 days a week so I can work part time. :D
DH says he wants to get one of the new Frontiers for ds for our SUV, but what should we get for Nana's van.
It's a Toyota Sienna .................................???
Thank you all for the help :D
aimeejf
03-29-2008, 08:21 PM
We have two Britax seats. My 16 month DS is rear-facing in a Roundabout, which was my DD's before... and she moved into a Marathon when we swtiched DS out of his infant carrier. I'd highly recommend either seat - of course a Marathon or a Regent will last you longer (higher limits) and if you have the room in your vehicle, then that's probably the way to go.
aimeejf
03-29-2008, 08:23 PM
Oh, I just wanted to add that we ordered both our seats (separately - about a year apart) from www.albeebaby.com, which I see a PP has already mentioned. We had a great experience both times - super quick shipping and we couldn't find better prices anywhere.
Jenifer
03-29-2008, 08:28 PM
honestly, i would get your 5 yo in a frontier, regent, or nautulis, harness that LO!! my 5 yo is harnessed and LOVES it, she is SO proud of it actually! For the middle one, i would get a frontier, regent or nautulis aswell, and for the baby, boulevard since it will be riding outboard! harness all three of them mama!
Jenifer
03-29-2008, 08:29 PM
and let dh know that they will be the best investments you EVER made, every day we buckle the girls into their new britax dh and i just chuckle, they just LOOK safe!
tlj
04-02-2008, 11:43 AM
For Nana's van, consider the Nautilus...it will last a long time for the older two and maybe a Scenara for the youngest. It isn't anything exciting, but it is reasonably priced and should last a while for the little one--depending on how big they are already, of course.
We have a Nautilus ff (and harnessed) for our 6yo, a Radian ff for our 4yo and a Marathon rf for our 2yo. My least favorite seat of all is the Marathon. I find it hard to install (we don't have LATCH) and the strap adjuster is annoying...but that's just my opinion. I think most people love the Britax line--I probably won't get another Britax. I really like the Nautilus and the Radian.
SemperFiMama3
04-05-2008, 11:04 AM
Thank you all sooo much , dd2's Boulevard showed up today :D
I love it !!!! though not crazy about the color, but since I got the 'expensive carseat' dh got to pick the color ;) fair enough trade .
Now I am going to be narrowing down the 2 new seats
I want/need for my two older LO's :D
SemperFiMama3
04-05-2008, 11:05 AM
and let dh know that they will be the best investments you EVER made, every day we buckle the girls into their new britax dh and i just chuckle, they just LOOK safe!
Thanks :goodvibes: :hugs:
MarinesFamily5
04-05-2008, 03:15 PM
regent for the older child !
we have a Tahoe and they fit like a dream... my regents are sooo easy to install too (we use the seat belt with the top tether) the MA is a bit trickier but if you latch it in then no problem...
we love how the regent is one molded piece and goes to 80 lbs!
ohh and we have a Marathon in the middle and regents on either side
SemperFiMama3
04-07-2008, 12:41 AM
regent for the older child !
we have a Tahoe and they fit like a dream... my regents are sooo easy to install too (we use the seat belt with the top tether) the MA is a bit trickier but if you latch it in then no problem...
we love how the regent is one molded piece and goes to 80 lbs!
ohh and we have a Marathon in the middle and regents on either side
Thank you, we are leaning towards a Regent for dd1 and the new Frontier for ds.
:mrgreen:
Q - where in your Yukon can you tether a RF carseat ?? dh and I couldnt figure it out, we have a GMC Yukon XL - the exact same as a yukon but longer or the same as a suburban
TIA for help !!
;)
apmommatnt
04-07-2008, 01:52 AM
Ok guys, here is my dilema. We have 2 Marathons now, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. My dd (4 years old, 42" and 38lbs) has been in it since she was 23 lbs (rear facing until 33 lbs). My ds (20 months old, 36" and 32lbs) has been in his since he was 22 lbs too...we are going to be purchasing a new car, and we need 2 more Britax's...I was debating moving my dd up to the Regent, but was kinda taken aback when I found that they do not have side impact protection and are not airline approved. Also, they only harnass to 80 lbs, whereas the Marathon harnasses to 65 (I do know that the Regent has higher height accomodations which is the plus and where my dilemma also lies!) So, what to do??? Should I buy another Marathon? Use it until she is too tall and settle for the Regent?? I just LOVE our Marathon, but obviously love my little ones more so I want them to be in a carseat that fits them...what to do!!!!
