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What's the best budget-friendly car seat that goes to at least 40 lbs rear-facing?

post #1 of 13
1/12/12 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 

My 3.25 year old son has been hovering around 35 pounds for awhile now which means he's just about outgrown his older Britax seat rear-facing.  I'd like to buy a new seat in order to keep him rear-facing for longer, but due to some major expenses lately plus Christmas, I don't have a lot to spend.  Every time I look online or at the store, I get a little overwhelmed by all the choices.  I know there are some very knowledgable people here, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.  I was thinking the Evenflo Triumph 65 LX seemed like a good deal.  Thoughts?

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post #2 of 13
1/12/12 at 2:07pm


The Triumph 65 is probably a great choice for your son.  How tall is he; specifically, how tall his torso?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AbbyGrant View Post

My 3.25 year old son has been hovering around 35 pounds for awhile now which means he's just about outgrown his older Britax seat rear-facing.  I'd like to buy a new seat in order to keep him rear-facing for longer, but due to some major expenses lately plus Christmas, I don't have a lot to spend.  Every time I look online or at the store, I get a little overwhelmed by all the choices.  I know there are some very knowledgable people here, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.  I was thinking the Evenflo Triumph 65 LX seemed like a good deal.  Thoughts?



 

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post #3 of 13
1/12/12 at 2:17pm
Thread Starter 

He wasn't exactly being the most cooperative with the measuring, but he's about 37 inches with a 16ish inch torso (23ish inches torso + head). 


Edited by AbbyGrant - 1/12/12 at 2:41pm
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post #4 of 13
1/12/12 at 3:02pm

Ok: the ET65 would probably give you another 9 months to a year rear facing, give or take. 

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post #5 of 13
1/12/12 at 3:58pm
Thread Starter 

Do you know of the Safety First Complete Air might be better choice?  I found it on sale for not much more than the Triumph.  


Edited by AbbyGrant - 1/12/12 at 4:15pm
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post #6 of 13
1/12/12 at 4:30pm

Could be, depending on how comfortable you are violating Dorel's set-in-stone 40" maximum rule.  They have, for reasons that have mystified technicians, insisted that regardless of how the child is proportioned (where he carries his height, legs or torso), that a child over 40" may NOT ride rear facing in the Complete Air.   

On the same page in the manual, they also say a child may continue to use the seat until his head is even with the top of the fully extended shell.     Since this is roughly a 5-8" difference from the stated height limit, we are....puzzled.  But again, Dorel insists there is no flexibility there.

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post #7 of 13
1/12/12 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for mentioning that.  I didn't even notice the height limit.  When my son sat in it at the store it looked like he had tons of room to grow, way more than 3 inches.  What a strange rule.  

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post #8 of 13
1/13/12 at 5:44am
Thread Starter 

So I have it down to three choices in my price range that go to 40lbs RF:

 

Evenflo Triumph 65 LX 

pro: adjustable recline; machine washable cover

 

Safety First Complete Air 65 (on sale) 

pros: tallest shell

cons: seemingly arbitrary 40" height limit; hand wash cover; fixed position (no recline)

 

Graco My Ride 

pros: easy to use; machine washable cover; cup holders

cons: fixed position 

 

I'm most interested in this seat lasting as long as possible rear-facing and less concerned about FF use since I already have other great seats to use for that. The seat will basically live in my car, so installation issues aren't a huge concern.  Also, we are in and out of the car many times a day, so ease of use is a big priority.  Any input about any of these seats would be much appreciated! smile.gif

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post #9 of 13
1/13/12 at 5:49am
Thread Starter 

This is a test.  I tried to post another question but it was held for moderation since I'm new but I had no problems yesterday. 

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post #10 of 13
1/13/12 at 5:59am
Thread Starter 

Ok so I'll try again.  I have it down to three choices in my price range that go to 40lbs RF:

 

Evenflo Triumph 65 LX

pro: machine washable cover; adjustable recline 

 

Safety First Complete Air (on sale)

pro: tallest shell

con: seemingly arbitrary RF height limit; hand wash cover; fixed position 

 

Graco My Ride 65

pro: supposed to be easy to use; machine washable cover; cup holders 

con: fixed position 

 

I'd like this seat to last as long as possible RF and am not really concerned about FF longevity since I have other great seats for that.  Installation issues aren't a huge concern since I don't plan on moving the seat except for occasional cleaning.  Most days we are in and out of the car many times, so it has to be easy to use.  Any input on any of these seats would be much appreciated. : ) 

 


Edited by AbbyGrant - 1/13/12 at 6:21am
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post #11 of 13
1/13/12 at 8:37am

All three of those seats are nice, but I'd avoid the My Ride.  It's the shortest of the three, and your son is probably all ready outgrown it rear facing or is *about* to outgrow it rear facing. 

 

Both of the other two seats will be in a store like Babies R Us.  I'd just go in and play with them and see which is easier and more comfortable for both of you :-)

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post #12 of 13
1/13/12 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 

Thanks so much for all the input!  And you're right about the My Ride.  We were just at Target and tried it out.  He's pretty much outgrown it RF height-wise.  

 

 

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post #13 of 13
1/18/12 at 11:15am

subbing

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