Convertible Carseat Recommendations

It's almost time to switch the infant seat for a convertible carseat. I know NOTHING about them, so any advice would be great. My one main issue is that we have a small car - a Honda Civic (and it's our only car), so it needs to be able to fit in the backseat of it. I'd like to stay rear-facing as long as possible, and I'd like this carseat to last my baby as long as it can (I've noticed there are some carseats that only fit to 40 pounds or so, I'd like one that will fit my baby longer than that). And of course, while I want quality, I also want to spend as little as I can (but I am willing to pay for a good, solid seat, I won't compromise on safety). Any suggestions?
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Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2922

I like the britax roundabout (I think that's the one we have). they fit up to 65 lb or so, my kids are tall and they are comfortable in these seats. I got mine from albeebaby.com on sale. saved alot because I bought a discontinued pattern.

Gold Member Joined: Apr 27 2010 Posts: 1972

I have the Britax roundabout (I have the 55 actually) and I'm very happy with it. Ratings are very very good.
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Senior Member Joined: Feb 22 2010 Posts: 120

I have this car seat http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0043D2A9O/ref=mp_s_a_13?qid=1341604115&sr=1-13. We bought it so we wouldn't have to buy another, since it is good from birth till they do not need a car seat/booster anymore. The only down side, it's very heavy. If you are installing and leaving it in the car that's fine. We have a car but for done kind of reason we are always putting our car seats in and out of our (and other peoples) car

Silver Member Joined: Sep 01 2010 Posts: 635

I have the evenflo triumph 65 and I am really happy with it.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5879

I have the First Years True Fit, got it at great discount on a flash deal and chose it because of awesome online reviews. I have no major complaints with it but just wanted to input here because it is HUGE, I do NOT recommend it for you with a small car! We have it in the middle of the backseat, when #2 comes IY"H I think I will want to move it to the side to make it easier to fit 2 seats so we'll have to move the front seat forward and give that passenger less legroom. Also very wide, that's why I don't think it would be easy to put the next carseat right beside it.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 24 2009 Posts: 1980

Do not get the Britax Roundabout 55! I happen to have it and I lucked out because my daughter is short. But the shell of the carseat is the one of the shortest car seats out there. If you have a tall (or even average kid) they will outgrow the car seat by height very quickly. Check out this website:
http://www.thecarseatlady.com, they also have a facebook page. You can email them asking for recommendations for your car and what type of kid you have and the fact that you want to rear face as long as possible (good choice!) and they are very helpful.

Gold Member Joined: Apr 27 2010 Posts: 1972

Gold Member Joined: Feb 24 2009 Posts: 1980

Gold Member Joined: Mar 16 2009 Posts: 2287

Evenflo here. Just got it recently and so far so good. I kept looking for info online, and finally I just went to the store and picked one. It was not as easy to install the first time as it claims, but once you do it, it's not difficult to do it again. It seems comfy and will fit tall kids, which was really important to me. It also works as a booster.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

And how old is he? (I'm trying to figure out if he's on the chubby or skinny or tall or short side to see what you will need down the line...)

Also, you have LATCH in all seats in the back?

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Here are my thoughts...just thinking this through.

In terms of front to back space, one of your best bets would be the Evenlfo Triumph 65 -- it has less padding than more expensive ones, which is not a safety issue, just a comfort, but most kids are not bothered by it. It goes RF till 40 lbs, FF till 65 which is pretty decent.

In terms of having a very narrow seat so you can allow for future car seats next to it, try the Radian R100 It's in a similar price range to the Britax seats, but with a LOT more room for growth and a lot less space that it takes up. There were some older models that were harder to install in certain Civics, but most Civics did not have a problem, and I have not heard of anything regarding the Diono change (from Sunshine Kids) -- Amazon does allow for free returns if it doesn't work out. It has the same weight range as the Evenflo but a much better height range, and it works as a booster if you want till 100 lbs. It's a bit over $200, but the Britaxes hover around there and the Roundabout doesn't have so much shell space. A Boulevard 70 would cost you the same amount, but take up more width space IIRC.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 24 2009 Posts: 1980

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Thank you everyone for your recommendations! I am definitely going to use these recommendations as a great foundation for picking a seat!

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5879