Help needed with carseat decision...

[fifismama]

I have two daughters - 5 1/2 and 2 1/2. The older daughter is in a Frontier 85, still five point harness, because she is barely 40 lbs and feel safer with her in it. Little daughter is still rear-facing in a Britax Boulevard, since she is barely 3 feet tall and only 26 lbs. The Boulevard is set to expire in January, and I am not sure what to do in terms of a carseat. She will probably still be rear-facing at that point since her length is mostly in her legs - she isn't over the top of that seat or anywhere near that. So - what to get? If she were bigger I would consider another Frontier 85 because we really love that seat. But buying one of those would mean that I would need to forward face her, and I doubt she will be big enough for it. Any ideas on what seats I should look at? I would like to get the longest use time out of any new seat we purchase. We are done having kids - so there isn't any more seat passing to plan on. Thanks for any help.

[lanwenyi]

I'd leave your 5.5yo in the Frontier.

For the 2.5yo, I'd look at the new Blvd70 G3, Complete Air, TFP, MyRide65, Evenflo Triumph 65, Radian R100/R120/RXT, and the Maxi-Cosi Pria. See what you like, what is easy to use, and what gives her the most RFing room. Of those, my fave is the TFP. It's also my kids' fave. My DS currently rides in it and my DD could have used it rfing until 4y9m (when she hit 35lbs). I took her out of it at 4y3m b/c at 33lbs, I didn't feel like weighing her every day.

[kellismommi]

I purchased a Maxi Cosi Pria 70 a few months ago for my almost 2 yr old (36", 24 lbs) and I LOVE it!! I did alot of research since we plan to rear face until 4 hopefully. The Pria has a seat depth of 16" which is one of the deepest so the kiddo has a ton of leg room when rear facing. The seat is also very well padded (comfy for longer trips). To top it off, it takes up less room when installed than others - we tested the True Fit, My Ride, Radian and Britax Boulevard. I debated because of the higher price tag but it is definetly worth every penny!!! Especially since it can also forward face to 70#. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this seat?!?

[MichelleSG]

We have the Radian as our main car seat but had to decide on a back up and I didn't have the excess $ to get a second Radian (as much as I love it). We got the Complete Air first, Costco had it for $90, and we tried it for 2 weeks when hubby finally told me he hated it. Too bulky and a pia to get in his car and get her in it or some such. I then found the Britax Marathon Classic on clearance at Target for $97. We used the Britax on our elder dd (who's now 10) and I knew we both loved it and were ok with the Classic since it's basically what we had before. The Radian will last you longer rear facing (up to 45lbs) but it's kind of expensive. I'd recommend going with something that not only meets your requirements but is also not a pia to use or install. Once hubby told me that I didn't hesitate to find a replacement.