Trying to decide on a convertible car seat- opinions needed

echo_23 · Jun 9th, 2008, 11:49 PM

My daughter is quickly growing out of her snugride carrier so I spent the day combing through websites trying to figure out what the best combination car seat would be for her. Safety is the biggest factor for me with her comfort and my ability to get her in and out of my sedan being second and third on the list. Unfortunately, not many websites have safety ratings and all I could find on the NHTSA website was ease of use ratings, not so important in my book so I'm still slightly unsure about how well-informed my decision making will be.

I've narrowed it down to what I found to be the most versatile and safest seats available- either the Britax Boulevard or the Recaro Signo. The Britax has a max weight of 65 and height of 49". The Recaro has a max weight of 70 and max height of 50". The Recaro also converts to a booster seat.

My daughter is likely going to be tall and skinny, so the ability to adjust for height set them apart from the rest. I read that the Recaro received better safety ratings from NHTSA than Britax, although I couldn't find the ratings themselves. I also read that Recaro's seats are more comfortable than Britax, but I'm still considering Britax because so many people seem to regard them highly while I've heard very little about Recaro.

I was hoping someone could chime in with their experience- whether they love or hate what they bought, if they think it's best to go for something different with a smaller weight limit so it's easier to access in my car, or better to get something with bells and whistles like cup holders and such. Any advice on these two seats or other brands/models would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure there have been posts about this before but with the search function down I couldn't find them. Feel free to post the links if you have them!

Thanks sooooo much!

Mrs. MC · Jun 10th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Whatever you get I would get something that is rear facing until a year and can be used with a toddler front facing with whatever the maximum weight and height provided. I don't think you can go wrong with any type of Britax. We used the evenflo triumph until my son was about 30lbs 36 inches and then switched to a Britax regent but you can't eventually use the Regent as a booster but by then it will expire anyway. Someone reccomended the Graco Nautilus to me but I don't think that can be rear facing but maybe it can, it has a lot of room to grow ! The person who reccomended the Graco Nautilus to me was a car seat technician, she said they are great. Again not sure if it is rear facing as well.

deborilla · Jun 10th, 2008, 02:19 PM

My vote is for Britax. I have two big boys and used a Britax Marathon rear facing with them both when they outgrew their snugride well before 1 year. I now use the Marathon forward facing with my youngest and my older one uses the Britax Regent.

I find the Britax seats very easy to use, the straps don't get twisted and they are easy to get in & out of. My boys find them very comfy & they are well padded. As for bells & whistles I don't think that should be a factor. You can buy every imaginable product to add on. We have a cup holder & toy holder that we purchased seperately that are working out just fine.

The one thing I would warn you about is that Britax seats are BIG. When we had the Marathon rear facing we were driving a Subaru Impreza and the passenger seat had to be ALL the way forward & the seat just barely fit. So on the weekends when DH was around I was very uncomfortable in the passenger seat. I was literally on top of the dashboard. If you are considering a Britax you might want to see if the store will let you take one out to your car to see if it will fit.

I found this link RECARO vs BRITAX It's for forward facing seats, but there might be some good advice in there.

As for the Recaro, I've never heard of it, so I can't offer an opinion. The only thing I will say is make sure you buy from a store with a good return policy, so if it doesn't work out you can return it.

Good luck!

echo_23 · Jun 10th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Thanks so much for the advice and info Deborilla and Mrs. MC ! It was very helpful- especiallly the link for the thread comparing the two. I bring my dogs with me sometimes and my husband has a sports car, so the narrower design might be best for us. I have a giftcard to someplace with the Recaro Signo, so I think I'm going to get that. If even the Recaro doesn't fit, I'll return it and get the smaller Britax with side impact protection.

I'm going to double check this plan with my DH tonight, so if anyone has any advice or opinions in the meantime, please feel free to share!

Mollinski76 · Jun 10th, 2008, 06:13 PM

We have two... the Britax marathon is absolutely huge but sturdy and nice. We also have an evenflo trumph 5 for our smaller car and I actually feel as though it is more stylish, compact, easier to use... and safe. It is also significantly cheaper and rates right up there with the Britax in consumer reports.

NoSnowHere · Jun 10th, 2008, 11:31 PM

I bought a britax marathon for my son for its 5 point safety feature. Plus it goes up to 65 lbs. My son is still in his infant seat till he's 22 lbs., but I'm positive we'll be happy.

weekender2 · Jun 11th, 2008, 07:26 AM

britax marathon here. it's soo comfy for my dh, it is a bit hot on the warmer days though. I agree, it's huge and cumbersome rear facing but now that she is forward facing it's perfect. it's a great seat imo.

Jun 9th, 2008, 11:49 PM	#1
echo_23 Member Location: Houston	Trying to decide on a convertible car seat- opinions needed My daughter is quickly growing out of her snugride carrier so I spent the day combing through websites trying to figure out what the best combination car seat would be for her. Safety is the biggest factor for me with her comfort and my ability to get her in and out of my sedan being second and third on the list. Unfortunately, not many websites have safety ratings and all I could find on the NHTSA website was ease of use ratings, not so important in my book so I'm still slightly unsure about how well-informed my decision making will be. I've narrowed it down to what I found to be the most versatile and safest seats available- either the Britax Boulevard or the Recaro Signo. The Britax has a max weight of 65 and height of 49". The Recaro has a max weight of 70 and max height of 50". The Recaro also converts to a booster seat. My daughter is likely going to be tall and skinny, so the ability to adjust for height set them apart from the rest. I read that the Recaro received better safety ratings from NHTSA than Britax, although I couldn't find the ratings themselves. I also read that Recaro's seats are more comfortable than Britax, but I'm still considering Britax because so many people seem to regard them highly while I've heard very little about Recaro. I was hoping someone could chime in with their experience- whether they love or hate what they bought, if they think it's best to go for something different with a smaller weight limit so it's easier to access in my car, or better to get something with bells and whistles like cup holders and such. Any advice on these two seats or other brands/models would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure there have been posts about this before but with the search function down I couldn't find them. Feel free to post the links if you have them! Thanks sooooo much!

Jun 10th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#2
Mrs. MC Member	Whatever you get I would get something that is rear facing until a year and can be used with a toddler front facing with whatever the maximum weight and height provided. I don't think you can go wrong with any type of Britax. We used the evenflo triumph until my son was about 30lbs 36 inches and then switched to a Britax regent but you can't eventually use the Regent as a booster but by then it will expire anyway. Someone reccomended the Graco Nautilus to me but I don't think that can be rear facing but maybe it can, it has a lot of room to grow ! The person who reccomended the Graco Nautilus to me was a car seat technician, she said they are great. Again not sure if it is rear facing as well. __________________

Jun 10th, 2008, 06:13 PM	#5
Mollinski76 Member	We have two... the Britax marathon is absolutely huge but sturdy and nice. We also have an evenflo trumph 5 for our smaller car and I actually feel as though it is more stylish, compact, easier to use... and safe. It is also significantly cheaper and rates right up there with the Britax in consumer reports. __________________ My growing collection: Tano flapjack in black Tano Vicious Cycle Hobo in red Botkier Bryant Small Shoulder in black HH-Pan Am Tote in black Tano Minilisa in truffle PRE-ORDERED!!! Big Buddha Olivia in blue Hayden Hartnett quilted wallet in gold rush Wish list: Morgan Oakley Ready in Red Linea Pelle Dylan in Black Tano boogie bucket in Avocado Coach Carly in Black or Chili

Jun 10th, 2008, 11:31 PM	#6
NoSnowHere ♥ Nico ♥ Location: on my iPhone	I bought a britax marathon for my son for its 5 point safety feature. Plus it goes up to 65 lbs. My son is still in his infant seat till he's 22 lbs., but I'm positive we'll be happy. __________________ sugar & champ

Jun 10th, 2008, 02:19 PM	#3
deborilla Addict!!! Location: NJ	My vote is for Britax. I have two big boys and used a Britax Marathon rear facing with them both when they outgrew their snugride well before 1 year. I now use the Marathon forward facing with my youngest and my older one uses the Britax Regent. I find the Britax seats very easy to use, the straps don't get twisted and they are easy to get in & out of. My boys find them very comfy & they are well padded. As for bells & whistles I don't think that should be a factor. You can buy every imaginable product to add on. We have a cup holder & toy holder that we purchased seperately that are working out just fine. The one thing I would warn you about is that Britax seats are BIG. When we had the Marathon rear facing we were driving a Subaru Impreza and the passenger seat had to be ALL the way forward & the seat just barely fit. So on the weekends when DH was around I was very uncomfortable in the passenger seat. I was literally on top of the dashboard. If you are considering a Britax you might want to see if the store will let you take one out to your car to see if it will fit. I found this link RECARO vs BRITAX It's for forward facing seats, but there might be some good advice in there. As for the Recaro, I've never heard of it, so I can't offer an opinion. The only thing I will say is make sure you buy from a store with a good return policy, so if it doesn't work out you can return it. Good luck!

Jun 10th, 2008, 05:37 PM	#4
echo_23 Member Location: Houston	Thanks so much for the advice and info Deborilla and Mrs. MC ! It was very helpful- especiallly the link for the thread comparing the two. I bring my dogs with me sometimes and my husband has a sports car, so the narrower design might be best for us. I have a giftcard to someplace with the Recaro Signo, so I think I'm going to get that. If even the Recaro doesn't fit, I'll return it and get the smaller Britax with side impact protection. I'm going to double check this plan with my DH tonight, so if anyone has any advice or opinions in the meantime, please feel free to share!

Jun 11th, 2008, 07:26 AM	#7
weekender2 Black Box Please...	britax marathon here. it's soo comfy for my dh, it is a bit hot on the warmer days though. I agree, it's huge and cumbersome rear facing but now that she is forward facing it's perfect. it's a great seat imo.