Convertible for heavy toddler in 2003 Civic

Unregistered · Feb 14, 2011

Hi, thanks so much for all the info on this forum! I've learned a ton about proper car seat usage just reading here. I have a 13 month old DS, 26lb and 31in. He is rear facing in a Safety 1st Avenue in a 2003 Civic passenger outboard right now. He is pretty wide, has wide shoulders and torso and barely fits even in just a fleece hoodie. I'd like to try to find something for him that is wider so he is more comfortable. I like the True Fit, but I'm concerned that he only has 9 more lb rear facing. If he stays in this percentile, he'll hit that limit at 2.5 years. Are there any other carseats out there that are wider than the Avenue that would work in a 2003 Civic? Thanks!

armywife12 · Feb 14, 2011

My son was similar in size at that age (24-25lbs, 33 or so inches at 13-14 months old). We had the True Fit and, while he fit great with tons of height room to grow, he did hit 35lbs at only 25 months old so, I agree, it probably won't be a great seat for your little big guy.

I would go to BRU and see how the Complete Air 65works in your vehicle. It should fit fine but I'm not sure how the install is in that vehicle. It RF to 40lbs and FF to 65lbs. It has the tallest shell and highest top slots out of the convertible seats so it will last the longest. My son has tons of growing room still in this seat and he is now 3.5 yrs old, 41 inches tall, 39-40lbs, with a 16 inch torso. If he weren't already 40lbs, he'd still be RF in this seat. He has been fluctuating between 39-40lbs for the last two months or so so it will definitely fit most children RF beyond their third birthday. Most will make it closer to their 4th birthday though.

I would also check out the Evenflo Momentum, which RF to 40lbs and FF to 65lbs as well. It will RF most to 3 yrs old and FF most to around 5-5.5 yrs old

Unregistered · Feb 15, 2011

OP here. I haven't looked at any of the Evenflo seats, I'll check them out next time I'm in BRU. Is it tall as well? DS has a long torso (about 12" now) so I'm looking at heights as well.

I went ahead and got a True Fit since I found a great deal on these boards. If that can get him to 2, I'll be fine with getting him another seat to rear face and passing the True Fit to baby #2 (hopefully). The other option is to switch cars with DH and let DS ride in the Radian 80SL that is in DH's car.

I'll let you know how it fits in my car!