carseat vs. booster (help)

[spicy tomato]

Help! I am wasting my short 'kid break time' online looking at the overwhelming car seat choices!!!

I have a 3 year old who is growing out of his Roundabout carseat. I was thinking of getting a Marathon because it is good to 70 lbs. Does anyone have a big kid still in a regular car seat? Should I be thinking booster instead?

We live in a rural area so on a day to day basis we are in the car a lot. Also when we go to visit relatives we have a long drive. He has been able to ride and sleep comfortably in the Roundabout (no head drooping). 

Any experiences and suggestions would be a great help.

Thanks Jean

[leighi123]

If he is forward facing, you want to look at "combination" seats, these are forward facing only, with a harness, but then converts to a booster when the child is ready.   

There is no reason to get a convertible seat (one that goes rearfacing/forward facing) like the marathon if he is already forward facing.  The marathon also doesnt have very tall harness slots, so you'd be better off with a combination seat.   Unless A. you have a younger child to pass it on to that will use it rearfacing at some point, or B. you plan on keeping/turning your child rearfacing.  

Some good combination ones (from cheapest to most expensive)

Maestro: http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=315&pfid=3462

Nautilus: http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1758196

Frontier: http://www.britaxusa.com/car-seats/frontier-85

A 3yr old is NOT ready for a booster seat (uses adult seatbelt)  

This is info on how to tell when a child is ready for a booster:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=38893

And this is why a small child shouldnt be in a booster: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

[freestylemama]

I wouldn't buy a Marathon that late.  My kiddo is also three and at 38 pounds, she's getting close to being too tall for it.  It might last another year, but probably won't for longer than that.  I'm not upset about it because she's been in this seat since she was 4 months old, I'm just saying that I wouldn't buy one for a three year old.  Are Marathon 70s taller than the 65s? 

We got a Graco Nautilus for our extra seat and for DD when she's out of the Marathon.  It's really tall and can be buckled for a long time, so you might want to go that route.  The Nautilus is a car seat and then a high back booster and then a low back booster up to 100 pounds. It's a good value (I think ours was like $130 from Amazon, which is way less than the Marathon).

[DahliaRW]

No, the 70s are shorter than the 65s.  Which is the stupidest design, IMO.

[spicy tomato]

Thanks for the comments. I am going to check out the Nautilus and Frontier. I am disappointed about the Marathon, the literature says up to 60 pounds, making it seem like it would last for an older kid. I really need something comfortable for long drives.

Sorry, I didn't know the term 'combination seat' which is what I was considering. Thanks for the input and educational links they are a very important part of this conversation, though it makes me feel a bit defensive. I have no intention of putting a three year old in just a booster.

[2moms3kids]

I vote for the Britax Frontier. My daughter is almost 6, 55lbs and 48 inches and still has PLENTY of room to grow!  We also have a Graco Nautilus which my almost 3 year old is in and it is ok, if choosing again, I would get another Frontier in a heartbeat! Also, I love the 9 year lifespan!

[mamasthree]

I will chime in as to the comfort on long rides....the nautilus does not work for us in that respect.  Terrible head droop.  How big is your 3 year old?  If he is average, then the Marathon will likely last until at least 5, maybe 6.  I have a 4 year old that has tons of room to grow in our old style Marathon, and she is above average height (most kids will outgrow the seat by height).   The new marathons are shorter, but not by much. 

I'd look at the Maestro in your case....we have one in our Grammie's car, and I would choose it over the Nauti, even though it doesn't "seem" as comfy.  But, I would go with a Marathon before that--I'd get the "older" model (new, of course) on sale. 

Just my experience...

[dayiscoming2006]

I like my new evenflo maestro. Fits my 2 year old perfectly and I could put my 4 year old in it if I wanted to. I've heard that kids typically grow out of it by the 50 lb harness limit, but that's no biggy to me. I'd be moving my kiddo up to a booster by then. And for the price, the maestro is great. The straps adjust very easy to me as well. I think the padding is quite cushy and comfy looking too.