choosing car seats

[marcymc]

I've already gotten some great advice and I think I have narrowed down my choices and would like some advice for my final decision.

I have 2 dds currently in 2 triumph 5s. I want to put carseats in DHs 2 door Honda Civic so he can take them to daycare 1 day a week (15 min drive).

DD1 is FF 3y3m , 28lb, 36in and 13-14in torso
DD2 is RF 13 mo, 20lb, 30in

DD2 would be in the Triumph 5 in both cars. (They will expire in 12/09 and 3/10)

My first choice is a Marathon (on sale for $225) for primary car and Apex/Biltmore for DHs. Civic has fixed, built in headrests, but I don't think that would be an issue for now, since DD1 is small for her age. Once she gets too tall, maybe move that to primary car, which has adjustable head rests (we would like to get a 4-door to replace the 2 door at some point, too...)

I also liked the Triumph advance ($150 at BRU). Is it worth getting the Marathon for the extra 15lb? I think dd is likely to outgrow it in hight first anyway. Whatever we buy, I'm thinking we'll get the full 6 years out of it, since my kids aren't big. (We'll need to buy another new carseat in 2 years anyway to replace the first Triumph)

Another issue will be getting the kids in their carseats in the back of the 2 door civic. With just DD1 RF in the middle, we would sit in the back and put her in. Will it be possible to get DD2 in RF with another car seat back there?

So guess my choices are any combination of Marathon, Triumph advance and Apex/Biltmore.

Sorry for the rambling, I've just been going round and round with this decision.
Thanks in advance for you advice

 

[scatterbunny]

Hmmm, honestly, unless you'll be turning DD1 rear-facing again, I wouldn't personally spend the $$ for a Marathon. Top slots on the Marathon are about the same as the Triumph Advance, and the Advance is roomier overall. Most kids outgrow the Marathon around 50 pounds anyway. I'd go with a Marathon if it would be rear-facing to get the rear-facing tether, but otherwise, I'd get a Triumph Advance and save $$, or choose forward-facing only seats instead of convertibles (again, if she won't be rear-facing). The Recaro Young Sport, IMO, is ideal for a child your dd's size; only 40 pound harness, but TALL top slots about the same height as Marathon/Triumph Advance, and converts to a fabulous booster once the harness is outgrown.

So I think if it were me, instead of going with a Marathon or Triumph Advance and an Apex for DD1, I'd think about a Recaro Young Sport and an Apex, or, since the Young Sport will make a fantastic booster and you won't really need the Apex as a booster, I'd consider a Young Sport and a Triumph Advance.

Sorry, I know I'm no help, throwing new ideas out there.

A rear-facing child is better protected than a forward-facing child, so don't feel bad if you need to put younger dd outboard.

 

[marcymc]

Oh the possibilities

DD1 still fits in the Triumph 5 and has 2-3 inches before her shoulder hit the straps. So I could leave her in one of those and buy the Marathon for DD2, who is RF. But a Marathon and Recaro together would break the bank...
Since I need to buy another new car seat in 2 years, I was thinking of doing the MA and TA for now then looking at boosters in 2 years ...

Thanks for your advice!

 

[marcymc]

Now I'm liking your idea of the Recaro young sport and the TA. (I liked the pattern on the MA, so I was a little stuck on that ) Are there ever deals on the Recaro? Or a similar booster/car seat thats a little less money?

Any other suggestions?

 

[scatterbunny]

I haven't really seen any deals on the RYS, but everyone I know who's got one is very pleased with it. I love that it converts to such a fabulous booster, there's no real need to get another one later, PLUS having the ETA as well means that if you decide she isn't quite ready for a booster full-time at 40 pounds/5-6yo, you could use the ETA as the primary seat and use the RYS as a booster in the lesser-used vehicle.

 

[marcymc]

How does it compare to the Britax Regent? I know the regent doesn't convert to a booster, but I could pass the Regent down to my younger dd.
Thanks again for your advice

 

[solmama]

I may have said this already, but what about the Radian 65? At least for your older dd? My dd loves hers, it's a fairly simple install (but can be challenging to get used to), it's narrow, easy for her to climb into herself. It could be used after your dd outgrows the Triumph 5 as well. You could also purchase a Cosco Scenera (about $40) for your younger dd and keep her rf for a bit longer. Using the $ saved by purchasing a Scenera, you could then buy a Regent. So many possibilities, good luck!

 

[marcymc]

Does the Recaro young sport require a tether? I thought I read that somewhere and our civic doesn't have one.
I had decided on a TA and a Radian, but then read that the radian cannot be installed in the 99 civic :thumbsdown:
I might be back to the TA and the biltmore/apex 65.
Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[scatterbunny]

What year is your Civic? I installed a tether anchor in my 1991 Honda Accord, and it was extremely easy, cost around $20 for two anchor kits and took just a few minutes to install.

Tethering ANY forward-facing seat greatly increases the safety by reducing head excursion (how far forward the child's head will fly in a crash).