Sam.
I know it doesn't last long RF because of the short seat pan. I can recline the vehicle seats some, to give him more room. Really, if it gives me another 1.5-2 years, I'd consider it money well spent. Even if it only gave me a year RF I could live with it. But, Sam is a pretty small kid (esp compared to the kid we are used to). I can get the G2 local for $270 total, I can buy the Signo used for $150.
As long as it's comfy and safe for the kid, that's all I care about. If AJ gets a hernia loading him, well, I warned her. Although it really doesn't seem any higher than the BV.
Sam has been through-
Priori
Roundabout
Marathon
Boulevard
SS1
Cocorro
True Fit
EFTA
Yes, I have owned every seat on that list for him trying to find him THE seat. The Roundabout was the absolute worst, the MA and black BV (which I sold) were fine (BV was great) but too big in the backseat. The Priori (which I lusted over and fondled and loved) made him inconsolable with life hatred. The EFTA dug into his belly BAD. The TrueFit was my all around fav but the crotch strap was too short. The SS1 was/is perfect and I have no complaints about that but it's time for a convertible. The brown BV is defective, you can see pics on an earlier thread. The Cocorro, even though we never got to use the amazing infant insert (he was too big by the time we got it), is fabulous and fits him wonderfully and so cozy and honestly I am really thinking of buying another one of those... but it's a niche seat that is perfect for my car but the van can take any seat I throw at it, why buy the teeny one?
My baby is very short, with a very round belly and very very very fat thighs. He's cloth diapered and his rise is too short for his fat belly so his diapers bunch and that, I think, creates a lot of the problem. And, overall, he's just an oddly shaped little mutant. I just want a comfy seat for him that will last at least a year, maybe two, that he will love and be happy in. I don't care if I have to import it from Mongolia.