Help me choose new seats please!

[Unregistered]

After much reading and consideration, I've decided our current carseats are not what I want my kids to be riding in. We have a Chrylser Town & Country 1997.

I have four kids.
age weight (lbs) height (in) torso (in) seat length (back to knees)(in)

7 41 48.5 16 14

5 34 42 14 11.5

3 29 37 13 10

15 mos 24 30 11 8


I have a Britax Marathon that is approx. 4 years old. My 3 year old is currently riding in it FF. I was thinking I would put the baby in the Marathon RF and get 3 Britax Regents or 3 Radian 80s. Currently the older two are in the rear outboard positions on the younger two
are in the captains seats. I would love to have the option of putting 3 across the back when needed.

I think I've included all the needed info. Any and all suggestions and recommendations are **much** appreciated. Thank You!!!!

[scatterbunny]

Have you had tether anchors retrofitted? If not, you'll need to do so in order to use the Regents. The part # for your third row is 05018506AA. The part # for the middle row is 04864118AB. Have the dealer refer to Technical Service Bulletin 23-08-00 Revision A for detail on the tether anchor retrofit policy.

How long would you like to keep your kids harnessed? With your 7yo's and 5yo's stats, I'd guess they'd fit in the Regent until age 10-11, and if you got one for the 3yo it would expire before s/he outgrew it. My own child went into a Regent at 38 inches tall, 33 pounds with a 14.5 inch torso at age 2.5 (obviously big for her age) and will likely outgrow it around age 8. So, it would last us the entire six year lifespan. If you do want to go with Regents, I'd only do so for the oldest, or maybe the older two.

Personally, I think the 5yo is small enough that the Regent is probably overkill. I'd go with something like the Recaro Young Sport instead. When the Young Sport's harness is outgrown at 40 pounds by the second-oldest, use the YS in booster mode for the oldest and move the second-oldest to the Regent. The Sunshine Kids Radian is also an option, but I'd only consider it for the 5yo. My 6yo was cramped in the Radian over the summer, at 49 inches, with a 17.5 inch torso.

For the 3yo, I'd either go with another Marathon or a Sunshine Kids Radian or a Recaro Young Sport. Ideally I'd turn her back rear-facing, but if that isn't going to happen, I'd lean toward the Radian or Young Sport.

If you want to fit three across the third row, scratch the Regent off the list. You could still go with ONE Regent, only for the oldest, and use it in the middle row, but you'd then to have three-across in the third row you'll have the rear-facing 15mo there. Some folks find having a rear-facing seat in the third row no problem, though.

Post back with further questions or information--you'll need to register to reply to this thread. :)

[melniemi]

I think I would get your 2 oldest Britax Regents. I would keep the 3 year old in the marathon and get a new marathon for the baby. When the marathon expires in 2 years, pass down your oldest's regent and get a good booster. That would cover you for now.

Or you could get your oldest a regent and your second a graco nautilus and the baby a marathon or evenflo triumph advance.

Do you have a budget in mind?

[Kabes]

I don't want to spend my whole tax return on car seats but since I was thinking possibly 3 Regents I would say 700-750.

Yikes, I just realized all my pretty spacing didn't transfer in my original post. I'm sorry that makes it really hard to read.