Quick help - need spare carseat for travel

gofastchickenwing · Sep 15, 2009

Our 3.5 year old daughter is about 40" tall and 30 pounds (so, tall and skinny.) She currently rides in a Recaro Como, but when she's with her Nana in a Volvo S80, she rides in a Graco ComfortSport (never really liked that seat, BTW.)

We just sat her in the seat, and her head now reaches the top of the seat, so we are desperate to find a replacement ASAP. We leave on Thursday (2 days) for NYC, and we need a carseat that is FAA approved, and also isn't so heavy and cumbersome that schlepping it in and out of taxis won't be a huge hassle (I don't even know how that works, to be honest.) My husband pointed out one of those no-back boosters (we actually own one...for the dinner table), and I was sort of horrified at the thought of no 5 point harness.

To recap, our needs are:

-FAA approved
-Fits in Volvo S80
-5 point harness
-Not too heavy/cumbersome
-Bonus: lasts a while and not horribly expensive

Please, someone tell me what to get, and where to get it quick! Thanks!

carseatcoach · Sep 15, 2009

She *might* still fit in a Cosco Scenera, which is light, reasonably easy to install FF, easy to find, and very cheap -- but will not last long. If you're willing to spend $45 just to have something for this trip, it's what I would do.

gofastchickenwing · Sep 15, 2009

Thanks, I'm not familiar with that seat, and I can't find any height specs. She has a long torso, so if it's similar to the CS, she won't be in it long. I'm willing to spend more for a seat that will last a bit. I would take our spare Como, but it's blasted heavy!

carseatcoach · Sep 15, 2009

It's taller than the ComfortSport, but it's not super-tall. If she has *just* outgrown a CS, she'll probably fit in a Scenera.

I'd also look at the Graco Cargo and Evenflo Chase. They are 40# forward-facing (is she FFing or RFing?) seats with taller top straps. I understand you're willing to spend more, but once we start getting into higher-weight harnessing seats, we're dealing with heavier seats.

ETA: If she's FFing, it's okay if the top of her head is over the top of the seat -- you need her ears to be below the shell -- but I'd bet that at 40", her shoulders are probably over the top strap slot.

gofastchickenwing · Sep 15, 2009

Okay, we just measured her before bed, she's 39 1/4 inches and when sitting in a seat, from her bottom to the top of her head she's 21 1/4 inches. I'm really not sure where her shoulders are in relation to the top slots, my MIL has the seat. I'm sure her ears are still within the shell (thanks for pointing that out, I didn't know that!)

ETA - she's FF

ketchupqueen · Sep 16, 2009

I'd look at a Chase for sure. It will last longer. But it's a bit more expensive than a Scenera.

Her torso height would be helpful-- have her sit cross-legged on the floor, against a wall. Mark the top of her shoulder. Measure from the mark to the floor. We can tell you based on that number whether you can go for the Scenera or if you'll likely need something taller.

danivdp · Sep 17, 2009

I had a Chase for a little while, and that thing was super light. I would not have a problem hauling that thing around at all.

Quick help - need spare carseat for travel

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