car seat for grandma & carseat config

[nglauser]

Hi there,
two questions - My mom is buying a carseat for my daughter (18 months, just passed 20 lbs) - I think she got the Evenflo Traditions - is this an okay carseat? I just realized it can't rear face, so I might get her to get a different one. Any recommendations? She's hoping for $140 or less..
second question - come October we'll have another baby and I'm just wondering who should be in the middle. The newborn will be in a safeseat, and my little girl (she'll be 21 months) will be rear facing in a britax marathon. Baby in the middle, toddler on the outside? Is the passenger side or driver's side safer? (I have a 4runner)
thanks ladies,
nicole

[featherhead]

I think the Scenera would be your best bet for rear-facing. The Evenflo Triumph Advance would be better, but I think it's about $150.

[nglauser]

Thanks for the response! I'm going to return the evenflo seat and just wanted a bit of advice before she just goes and picks out any rear-facing seat. I'm sure she'd splurge the extra $10, (or I will!) and get a better seat - Would you recommend the EFTA over the TrueFit?

[featherhead]

The True Fit is nicer in some ways. All seats have their advantages and disadvantages. The True Fit has lock offs, it goes to 65 lbs, and has slightly higher top slots. You can also remove the top portion for rear-facing, if your child is small enough. The harness adjuster can be difficult to reach when rear-facing, but the knobs on the Triumph can also be difficult when rear-facing. If possible, I would go to check out the seats, with your mom, and see which seat would be easier for her to use, and if possible, try them in her car too.

[QuassEE]

Based on the size of your daughter, both the EFTA and the TrueFit sound like great options. It doesn't seem like she'll max out the TrueFit weight limit and with the lower weight limit on the EFTA that's not a major stumbling block. The TrueFit does have the 35lb RF limit, though. In the end, your decision may come down to which seat fits better in Grandma's car, or which seat is easier for her to use.

The Radian may be another option, if you're willing to consider the TrueFit's pricetag, but it can be difficult to install in some vehicles. Furthermore, the Scenera may be an option as well, since the seat can be passed down to your next child and your daughter can be moved into a dedicated FF-only seat at that time. Lots of choices :)

One of our techs here lives in the same city as you, if you find that you need any additional/IRL assistance.

-Nicole.

[nglauser]

Thanks ladies,
I think we might just get the Scenera, since people recommend it. It doesn't Look as comfy, but Hannah isn't driving with my mom for long periods of time anyways. Then I might try a true fit for my husband's mazda3
thanks again for the advice!