help choosing car seats

[mammabear61101]

I am going to be able to buy my three youngest kids new car seats soon and need help deciding what to get.

I have twin 2 year olds who are forward facing. I wold like to get something that they can stay in as long as possible for around $150 or so. What would some good options be?

I also have a four month old who is still in her infant carrier. I plan on keeping her in this for awhile still. What would be good for her to get for after she grows out of the carrier? Again I would like something that she can stay in as long as possible for about $150.

[TiredX2]

What size are the 2 year olds?  Are you open to have them rear-facing?

How long do you want the seats to last?

What type of vehicle do you have?

Are you planning on having additional children (do you want to hand these seats down)?

[mammabear61101]

For the two year olds: 30 lbs and 35 in, and 25 lbs and 34 in. I already have them forward facing, so I  don't think I want to switch them at this point.

We have a 2006 Chevy Express 12 passenger van. The twins are on a bench seat by themselves, so pretty much anything will fit. It would be nice if the car seats would last until they were ready for booster seats.

No we will not be having any more kids.

[chel]

If it was me I would go to a nautilus.   I loved the turbo booster for my oldest, and the nautilus is similar but with an additional harness.

When my dd outgrows her scenera that's my plan.

[MariesMama]

I like the Nautilus for the older kids - what are they in right now?  Can their seats be passed down to the baby?

[TiredX2]

The Nautilus does seem to be an obvious choice for the older kids.  They are forward facing harnessed seats that convert to boosters.  There are a lot of rear-facing seats that would accomidate them, though, with increased safety if you want to investigate that.

As a previous poster asked--- are the twins' seats unusable for the baby?

[mammabear61101]

The twins are in a Cosco Scenera right now. I can use it for the baby, but I would like to have something that is able to be used for longer. I am getting some money so I would like to get these three a little nicer seat that can be used longer.

[Eresh]

For the baby maybe a graco my ride, a true fit, or an evenflo triumph 65. All can usually be found on sale below $150 and sometimes for $100.

The graco and the evenflo RF to 40lbs (the true fit to 35) and the true fit has a really tall shell.

[mammabear61101]

I like the Graco my ride and the true fit. What are the major differences between them? Can one of them be used longer than the other?

[DahliaRW]

The True Fit has a taller shell, but a 35lb rfing limit.  So it'll last longer for a tall, thinner child, and not as long for a shorter, stockier child.  The MyRide will last longer for  a shorter, stockier child and not as long for a long and lean child.  The average child will make it to at least 3 rfing in either seat.  My dd is 29 months, 27lbs, 34" and has oodles of growth room in her MyRide.  I suspect she'll make it to 4 rfing.  FFing, most kids will make it to booster age in either seat, but the TF has a higher harness slot and shell and will last a bit longer.  So it really depends on how tall your kiddo is.
 

Originally Posted by mammabear61101 

I like the Graco my ride and the true fit. What are the major differences between them? Can one of them be used longer than the other?