Replacing a Britax Boulevard -- go with a new Boulevard 70 or something else?

[acupuncturemomma]

We will be replacing DS's Boulevard because the harness does not adjust easily anymore. We are just out of the warranty window, so Britax cannot replace it for free, but they have offered us a new Boulevard 70 for $100 plus $25 shipping.

Is this a good seat? A good deal? Another seat we should consider?

DS is 18 months old, 28 pounds, 32.5 inches.

The seat is going in a 2008 Toyota Sienna, second row captain's chair with LATCH.

Thanks--I am out of the loop on carseats since we have not needed to buy one for a few years...

[DahliaRW]

$125 for a new BLVD is a good deal.

How close in height is your LO to the top of the shell?

The only reason I wouldn't do it is that the newer boulevards have a shell that is about 1" shorter than the classic boulevards.  So if you LO is tall and might outgrow it by height sooner than later, you may want to invest in a different seat that gives you more height to grow.  Especially since it's safest to rf as long as possible.  If you LO has quite a bit of growth and would make it to 3+ rfing in the new boulevard, then I would do it.

[acupuncturemomma]

Hmmm, good question! I'll have to check tomorrow when we get in the car. He does have a long torso, so that might be a consideration.

[TheGirls]

I wouldn't personally spend $125 on a Boulevard 70 for a long-torsoed child who is already 18mo.  I'd spend a bit more ($150) for a Complete Air which will last much longer.  My 2yo can't RF in a Boulevard 70.   She'll have outgrown it FF soon too.  Her Complete Air will last her until she's ready for a booster, I think.  She may RF until nearly 4yo in it. 

[acupuncturemomma]

Thanks, TheGirls. This is the kind of thing I wanted to know!

What about getting something like  Graco Nautilus so we can keep it/use it for even longer? Any reason to go with a convertible rather than a 3-in-1?

[TheGirls]

The Nautilus is a FF-only seat, and I wouldn't FF an 18mo, personally.  The 3-in-1 is FF harnessed, highback booster, lowback booster.  There aren't any good seats that do RF, FF, booster.  The ones that try tend to make horrible boosters and fairly poor FF seats

[acupuncturemomma]

That makes sense! See, I knew someone else would have a good answer for me. I definitely have no interest in FF DS any time soon, so I will look into other seats. Thanks!

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by TheGirls 

The Nautilus is a FF-only seat, and I wouldn't FF an 18mo, personally.  The 3-in-1 is FF harnessed, highback booster, lowback booster.  There aren't any good seats that do RF, FF, booster.  The ones that try tend to make horrible boosters and fairly poor FF seats

 Actually, the new graco smartseat does, but it's also $300 and doesn't have a terribly tall shell.

[an_aurora]

The Evenflo Symphony does a pretty good job as a 3-in-1 as well.

[TheGirls]

Awesome, I didn't know about the new seats!   Neither looks tall enough for my kiddos though, but we grow them tall around here.