Car seat rec's for a small car please! Britax?

669 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Steve's Wife, Aug 11, 2006

Steve's Wife

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2006

Hi all...yes, another car seat question for Life w/ a Babe

My daughter is outgrowing her bucket seat so we're looking for a convertible seat for my Neon. I was leaning toward the Britax Roundabout, but it is $$$ and a tad big. Any other ideas for a car seat that will fit a small car? I will eventually need to fit the infant seat next to it, unless I get a new, larger car before the next baby comes.

Thanks!!

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mbhf

· #2 · Aug 10, 2006

i have two marathons, and i find that they fit in a lot of places that an infant seat won't.

what kind of car do you have? i have put two RF marathons outboard in my BILs civic, and they fit well. there wasn't any room for any other passengers, but the two carseats fit perfectly.

personally, if i'm going to buy a britax, i'm not going to get the roundabout unless i get a really good deal on it. it's a great seat, but for $50 more i can have a marathon which will last so much longer.

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Steve's Wife

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 10, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhf
i have two marathons, and i find that they fit in a lot of places that an infant seat won't.

what kind of car do you have? i have put two RF marathons outboard in my BILs civic, and they fit well. there wasn't any room for any other passengers, but the two carseats fit perfectly.

personally, if i'm going to buy a britax, i'm not going to get the roundabout unless i get a really good deal on it. it's a great seat, but for $50 more i can have a marathon which will last so much longer.

I have a Dodge Neon. Why do you think the Marathon is better? It's a bit out of my price range. Do you mean the roundabout will last longer because of the 65 pounds or because it's made better? Even the Roundabout is pushing it, but it seems like such a nice, safe seat I thought it was worth the $219. I just can't see too many 65 pound kids wanting to sit in a seat rather than a booster, which won't make them feel like babies. I mean, my nephew is going into 3rd grade and is only 55 pounds. I don't think he'd want to sit in a regular "baby" car seat.

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wonderwahine

· #4 · Aug 10, 2006

either way, a car seat expires after 6yrs anyway.....so go with whatever one ou feel more comfortable with. We have an alpha omega elite.....we dont have a small car, but to me it seems pretty slim and light weight......the evenflo one we had that we had to exchange because the straps wern't long enough, was very wide and took up alot of room.

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alegna

· #5 · Aug 10, 2006

The longer a child can stay in a full carseat the safer. My kids will be as safe as possible as long as possible (rear facing to the upper limits of each seat, then a full seat as long as possible, then a 5pt harness as long as possible, then if needed a belt positioning booster as long as needed.)

I suggest a higher limit britax- personally I like the boulevard. Near as I can find it's the best carseat on the market- side impact protection, 33lb rear facing limit, 65lb limit, high slots, knob to adjust strap height.

-Angela

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mbhf

· #6 · Aug 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve's Wife
I have a Dodge Neon. Why do you think the Marathon is better? It's a bit out of my price range. Do you mean the roundabout will last longer because of the 65 pounds or because it's made better? Even the Roundabout is pushing it, but it seems like such a nice, safe seat I thought it was worth the $219. I just can't see too many 65 pound kids wanting to sit in a seat rather than a booster, which won't make them feel like babies. I mean, my nephew is going into 3rd grade and is only 55 pounds. I don't think he'd want to sit in a regular "baby" car seat.

the marathon has the higher weight limit, but it also has a taller shell, which is really important. my 3yo outgrew all of the 40 pound weight limit seats by height RF at about 2 1/2 and only 28 pounds, but still fit RF in his marathon.

about the 65 pound weight limit. most kids outgrow the seat in height before they reach 65 pounds. i would say only a really chunky kid would be in a marathon to 65 pounds. but most kids can stay in it over 40 pounds, which is really important. personally, i'll keep my kids harnessed as long as i safely can.

another good option, if you can get a good install in your car, is the radian. you can get them at albeebaby.com for $180 with free shipping. they have the same 65 pound weight limit as the marathon, same harness height, RF tether, and it's a narrower seat. make sure you try it out in your car before you buy though, or order from somewhere with a good return policy, as they're not nearly as easy to get a good install with. make sure you try it with latch (if you have it) and the seatbelt, both RF and FF.

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alegna

· #7 · Aug 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhf
another good option, if you can get a good install in your car, is the radian. .... RF tether, and it's a narrower seat.

For some reason I thought that only britax tethered rf? I know others tether forward facing though.

-Angela

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beccalriley

· #8 · Aug 11, 2006

My aunt bought us a britax marathon for my 3 year old when she was born. We love it. I rear faced it in the middle of my vw beetle. When I found out I was pregnant with my new baby, I bought a roundabout. It's not too bulky, however, my 3 year old is too tall for it. She is still within the weight limits though. I would suggest a marathon, if at all possible. But a roundabout will likely get you 2 good years.

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mbhf

· #9 · Aug 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna
For some reason I thought that only britax tethered rf? I know others tether forward facing though.

-Angela

you're close, just britax and the radian.

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runes

· #10 · Aug 11, 2006

we have a britax roundabout and it fits great in the back of my civic.

i would definitely shop around, we got ours for $149 with free shipping from babystyle. it's a great seat, it's not too big and also worked wonderfully for air travel because the dimensions and weight are a little bit less than their other models.

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alegna

· #11 · Aug 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhf
you're close, just britax and the radian.

Ah, thanks!

The radian wasn't around when I did my car seat shopping so I don't know that much about it.

FWIW our boulevard fits RF in a Honda Civic without problem.

-Angela

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luckymamato2

· #12 · Aug 11, 2006

I think the Roundabout is the smallest Britax

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Steve's Wife

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 11, 2006

Thanks, everyone. I just ordered the Roundabout for a good price. Thanks mbhf, for the shopping tip.

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