Britax seats - which one to get

[Tmama]

Hello, need help with this one.  DS is currently in a Britax Marathon (classic - up to 65lbs) and is going to be 4 in May.  I'm due in about a week or so with DS #2 and will have him in an infant carrier.  

When DS 1 was about 7 months old, we moved him into the Marathon rear facing since he quickly outgrew the infant seat length wise.  I was originally thinking when DS 2 is 7 months or so, we'd move him into DS 1's seat, but the expiration date marked on the seat (can't remember what it is but it's not going to last DS 2 very long). So it makes more sense to put DS 1 in a new seat in about a year or so.  I was thinking the Frontier as it's still a 5 point but will convert to a booster eventually.  I'm also thinking that will last him well into 7 or 8 years old since it goes up to 85 lbs.

For DS 2, we will have to get a new Britax - so I was thinking the Marathon 70 (I like the Marathon).  I suppose down the road, we can get him a Frontier as well.

This sounds like an expensive way - buying 2 new seats (well, 3 all in all).  If there were a Frontier like option, I would get that from the start but the Frontier is only FF.  

Does this plan make sense and if so, are these good seats that I have in mind?

Thanks!

[chickabiddy]

Is there a reason you're only considering Britax seats?

[Tmama]

Just comforable/trusting of the brand I suppose. It's what I'm used to...I figured I'd stick wIth it...

[2xand2y]

I suppose it depends on the expiration date of your current Marathon.  If it will last until you can turn DS2 forward facing then you are in great shape.  Also down the road when DS1 is ready for a booster you might consider putting him in an exclusive booster (since they tend to be cheaper than seats with harnesses) and move DS2 to the Frontier (the one that you would be purchasing now for DS1).  

If the trading up is not a possibility then it looks like you'll be buying more seats.

[Tmama]

Originally Posted by 2xand2y 

I suppose it depends on the expiration date of your current Marathon.  If it will last until you can turn DS2 forward facing then you are in great shape.  Also down the road when DS1 is ready for a booster you might consider putting him in an exclusive booster (since they tend to be cheaper than seats with harnesses) and move DS2 to the Frontier (the one that you would be purchasing now for DS1).  

If the trading up is not a possibility then it looks like you'll be buying more seats.

My head is now spinning, LOL. So did you mean if my son could last in his current seat for another (minimum 2 years) until ds2 could go in it FF? I'm thinking I need to get a new seat for DS2 when he is about 7 months as the infant carrier won't last past that ( that expires around that age anyway as it was DS1 old seat). I think there may be another 2 years left on my marathon so it doesn't make sense to pass that one down to DS2, kwim?

That's why I like the idea of the frontier for DS1...he can be in a 5 point longer then have the booster for down the road. DS2 would go in the marathon 70 (for RF and FF) then down the road when he truly outgrows that one, we can get him a frontier since his big brother would still be sitting in one as well.

I'm totally confusing myself here but somehow it makes sense to me, LOL. Hopefully my DH won't choke as we buy 2 carseats at once, LOL...

[TheGirls]

If you still have a year or two on the marathon, you could buy a convertible (for DS2), keep DS1 in the current seat, and put DS1 in a booster in another year or two.  Or, if DS1 is too tall, put DS1 in a taller convertible (not Britax) and DS2 in the Marathon.  Then pass the new seat to DS2 when the MA expires and put DS1 in a booster.

If the marathon expires too soon for DS1 to be booster ready, you're going to need a FF harnessed seat and a convertible.  But down the road, you shouldn't need another harnessed seat, because you could put DS2 in the FF harnessed seat and put DS1 in a dedicated booster (generally MUCH cheaper than a harnessed seat, especially if you're looking at the Frontier).

Personally, I don't think the Britax convertibles are worth the price.  There are other seats that RF longer and harness FF longer.  You could buy both a FF harnessed seat and a convertible for the cost of one Britax seat, if cost is an issue..

[2xand2y]

Originally Posted by Tmama 

Originally Posted by 2xand2y 

I suppose it depends on the expiration date of your current Marathon.  If it will last until you can turn DS2 forward facing then you are in great shape.  Also down the road when DS1 is ready for a booster you might consider putting him in an exclusive booster (since they tend to be cheaper than seats with harnesses) and move DS2 to the Frontier (the one that you would be purchasing now for DS1).  

If the trading up is not a possibility then it looks like you'll be buying more seats.

My head is now spinning, LOL. So did you mean if my son could last in his current seat for another (minimum 2 years) until ds2 could go in it FF? I'm thinking I need to get a new seat for DS2 when he is about 7 months as the infant carrier won't last past that ( that expires around that age anyway as it was DS1 old seat). I think there may be another 2 years left on my marathon so it doesn't make sense to pass that one down to DS2, kwim?

That's why I like the idea of the frontier for DS1...he can be in a 5 point longer then have the booster for down the road. DS2 would go in the marathon 70 (for RF and FF) then down the road when he truly outgrows that one, we can get him a frontier since his big brother would still be sitting in one as well.

I'm totally confusing myself here but somehow it makes sense to me, LOL. Hopefully my DH won't choke as we buy 2 carseats at once, LOL...

The plan now would be: DS1-marathon DS2-infant seat

When DS2 outgrows the infant seat- DS1 Frontier, DS2 in your current Marathon (if it will keep him rear facing long enough before it expires)

When the Marathon does expire(hopefully DS2 can forward face within your comfort level)- DS1 in an exclusive booster, DS2 in the Frontier

Of course this plan depends on when the Marathon expires, but you would buy a Frontier and and exclusive booster.  

[Tmama]

That makes sense. I just have to check expiration but I don't think it will last DS2 through the years.

The frontier is a nice option I thought since it harnesses until 85lbsand boosters to 120. What could be better than that!

Thanks for the help! This is only coming up now because I realized how short lived the infant seat was for us so I know within 7 months, I have to decide what to do. Figured I'd do my research now while I have the time before baby gets here!

[an_aurora]

Why not do:

DS: FF in Marathon until he outgrows it OR it expires, in ~2 years.  He'll be ~6 at that point and can go into a booster

baby: RF in infant seat, then RF in a new convertible (Britax 70 line if you like those) until it's outgrown RF in 3 years or so, then FF until outgrown or expired, say 6.  Then booster.

That way you would just have to buy one convertible and a booster for DS in a couple of years, and a booster for the baby waaay down the line.

[MamieCole]

Not to make you more confused, but you could also do the following:

For now, DS1 in Marathon. DS2 in bucket.

When DS2 outgrows bucket, switch him to RF in your Marathon. Buy DS1 a Frontier.

Wait until Marathon is close to expiring, evaluate what Britax convertibles are on the market at the time and buy the one with the highest RF/FF limits.(No telling what sort of options will be available in two years that aren't out now.)

 Keep DS2 RFing in new Britax convertible until he reaches the limits, then turn him FF. Odds are he will be able to fit into it for quite a while. Once he outgrows it, DS1 will probably be 9 or 10 at least. You can pass the Frontier on to DS2 to keep him in a harnessed booster and buy a less expensive regular booster for DS1 if he needs it.

That means you will buy a Frontier, a Convertible and maybe a booster, but over a span of time instead of all at once.