Help me choose a couple of carseats

[donutmolly]

Let me start by saying that researching carseats makes my head hurt!  And I need to get 2!  So any help you can give would be great!

I will have 4 kiddos in April -- and I need to get new seats for the two oldest ones.  DD1 is 5, just over 40lbs, and tall but mostly leg.  She is currently in a booster to fit 3-across in our tiny VW Golf, but I'd prefer to get her back into a harness if possible.  But she is very responsible in a booster, so not entirely essential.

DD2 is just 3 and 35lbs -- currently FFing in a Scenera, which is fine, but my plan is to put DD3 into her seat since she is more petite and will probably be able to RF for a good long time in the Scenera.  DD2 is more solid and taller, so I'd love to find a seat that will keep her harnessed for at least a couple more years.

We will be buying a new vehicle that can accommodate our family (not sure what it will be, probably a minivan, maybe a Kia?)  And I will have the 2 youngest rear-facing.  We're needing to be as budget-conscious as possible -- and I'm having such a hard time finding seats that are cheap that harness to higher weights.  Especially when faced with buying a couple of seats, they all seem very expensive! 

What are your best suggestions?  Thanks so much!

[MJB]

I have a Radian and a Complete Air. The Complete Air is a lot cheaper and I think I prefer it to the Radian. The new ones go to 65 lbs (40 rear-facing). I got mine on sale for $130. If you won't ever want to use the new seat rear-facing you could get a Nautilus. 

If you already have a booster for the 5yo I would just keep her in it. My 5yo is harnessed, but that's because I have a harnessed seat that fits him and don't feel like buying a new seat since he has one already. 

[mamasthree]

I'd look at the Evenflo Maestro for your FF DD2 and keep the booster for DD1.  DD3 in the Scenera RF.  Are you looking for an infant seat (bucket style) or a convertible that will fit from birth?

We have a Maestro as a backup seat in Grammie's car...I really like it and it's only $80. 

[DahliaRW]

I agree.  A maestro is a great ffing seat.  I'd keep a 5yo in a booster, there is no data that a harness is safer if she sits properly, so why spend the money if you don't have to.

For the baby, I'd probably do an Onboard35 or a Snugride35 depending on budget.  Or if you want a convertible from birth, a true fit or my ride.

[donutmolly]

I'm glad to hear good things about the Maestro!  I've seen some negative reviews about easy of use, but then I love the Scenera and people seem to get down on those too.  I'll check out the True Air too, it's a seat I haven't heard of before! 

Ideally DD2 would be rear-facing again, but I don't think we'll be able to get 3 RF'ing seats into any car we buy (but I could be wrong!) so I'm happy to go with ff'ing only seat that will fit her a long, long time!

I'm glad to know that I don't need to stress over DD1 being in a booster, she does really well sitting properly. I was so sad when she hit the 40lb limit in her old seat because the harness just seems more secure...

[noahs.mom06]

I've had people recommend that I try the Maestro, but where can you get one? When I google, all I find is info about it being recalled, and the sites that had it for sale said it was unavailable...

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by noahs.mom06 

I've had people recommend that I try the Maestro, but where can you get one? When I google, all I find is info about it being recalled, and the sites that had it for sale said it was unavailable...

 I got mine at Sears, but it's not on their website anymore (used to be exclusive to them).  When I use froogle.com I find it at toys r us, Walmart, Baby Age, and amazon.