True Fit or Frontier - 40lb 3.5 year old

[calgal22002]

I just discovered DS2 is 3.5 years old and 40 lbs and DD (14 months) is quickly closing in on 1" above her head in the Safe Seat, so I am about to do a carseat shuffle!

I have a great set-up in my compact car (3-across - RF Princess RN/FF MA/Graco TB). I need to rethink my van - here are my seats/options:

DS1 is in a PW
DS2 is in need of a new seat
DD will get DS2's Scenera or Fisher Price Safe Embrace (manufactured in 2001 - 8 year expiration).

My choices for DS2 are the Frontier ($300) and the True Fit ($160). I have both of them on order, but I need to figure out in principle, which is the best choice. Benefit of FN - last seat DS2 will ever need. Benefit of TF - cheaper and with the saved money I can get a new seat when needed and pass the TF to DD (when the FPSE or Scenera expires).

How long will we get in the TF? How much better is the FN?

Thanks!

[Gypsy]

I'd get the Frontier because you have younger kids, the 9 year expiration date really sells me on it. You also don't need the rear facing capability for your 3.5 year old since he is 40 pounds - a seat that harnesses a long time (it will harness longer than the True Fit), then becomes a great LATCHable booster is the winner here.

[firemomof3]

I agree with the Frontier, most definitly!

[vonfirmath]

If money is an issue, I'd get a Graco Nautilus.

If those two are the choices, I'd get a frontier. I would not get a convertible for a child who is FF already. and can't go RF. (unless it was an issue of a crashed seat and the insurance company wanted to replace what was there already)

[snowbird25ca]

I moved this to the CDN forum because the OP is in Canada and that narrows seat choices down a little bit. The Nautilus isn't available here. ;)

[CDNTech]

Since you have seats that expire in a year, I'd probably get the Trufit now. In a year when your SafeEmbrace expires, pass the TruFit to the baby and at that time you should have a choice of the Graco Nautilus OR the Britax Frontier for your then 4.5 year old.

My long torsoed 6.5 year old is *just* over the top slots of the TruFit... so you'll have a ton of growing time for your kids. The Trufit also has a 7 year lifespan, so it will not expire until your daughter is 8 years old... she'll be out of the Trufit by that time and can go into a booster. :)

[hipmaman]

Yup, what Jen said :)