I have a rear-adjust Snugride that I used several years ago for DS#2, and am using again now for DD. I don't mind it; although it is not the easiest to use off the bat, it does get quicker/easier with practice. I can now loosen the straps in the back pretty easily, usually without even looking (definitely NOT something I could do when first using the seat). To tighten securely is more of a pain, as I find I have to pull the slack in the strap through the slot in the back of the shell, and then tighten up at the adjuster/clip. Pulling up the slack is harder with the harness in the top position because it's hard to get hold of that little bit of strap between the slot and the clip. And, I guess I usually do just put the baby in and carefully fiddle the arms through the (unloosened) straps, and then check for tightness (don't loosen/retighten with every use).
Hmmm... as I describe it, it's beginning to sound like it really is a pain to use
I just don't perceive it that way, for some reason.
I actually have a nice front-adjust Snugride sitting around (bought it locally off ebay -- I wanted an extra base for our second car, and the seat sort of came with it at no extra cost, from my point of view). I really should try the baby in it, to see how much better the front adjuster is, before she grows out of the Snugride entirely. When we headed to the hospital for DD's birth, I just grabbed our old familiar rear-adjust SR, and have been using it since. Always meant to try the front-adjust, but now (at 3 1/2 mo.) DD is about to outgrow the seat anyway.
Oh, and I am aware of the warnings about buying used seats on ebay or Craigslist... but that's a different discussion...
Katrin