Replacing seat for 3yo

98hokie · Nov 11, 2017

We are replacing a RF Britax Blvd following a car accident. DS just turned 3 within the last few weeks and weighs about 33 lb. The car is a 2013 Volvo S60. I wasn't planning to turn him FF yet, but I am not sure about the cost of buying a new convertible seat for this car, since DS does not ride in it very frequently and will be FF within the next 12 months. I am debating between moving the primary seat (Britax Advocate) from our minivan when necessary, using the Cosco Scenera that we have for air travel in the Volvo, getting another convertible, or just getting a FF seat for the Volvo. I would appreciate advice. Thanks!

ketchupqueen · Nov 12, 2017

I generally choose to rear face until 4.

If your child still fits, you could compromise by getting something cheap like the Cosco Scenera NEXT for now, with the view of getting a nicer combination seat in a year.

Or you could get something that's a bit more of a pain rear-facing since it is infrequently used, but great forward- the Evenflo SureRide is a really tall forward facing seat that gets almost all kids to booster age in its harness, with an easy forward facing install, and it's also useable rear-facing though it doesn't have a lot of the convenience features you may be used to in a convertible.

lgenne · Nov 12, 2017

I don’t think I’d get a Scenera NEXT for a 4 year old, unless he’s tiny. It might be already outgrown by height.

What about a Graco Contender? You could rear face a kid that size in it for a long time, and it will forward face for quite a while too. And it’s very affordable.