Car Seats

We are getting ready to make the switch from infant carseats to facing forward carseats, but boy are they expensive for one let alone two, does anyone know where I can get a discount for buying 2 or are there any coupons the manufactures send for families with multiples?
Thanks,

 

A few choices. I would definitely recommend shopping online and save on shipping & tax. Some cheaper seats, have lower max weight and/or lower top slots so they may outgrow them much quicker, so in the end a cheap seat may not be that cheap. The FPSVD (see below) are now on sale since Britax will stop making them for Fisher Price, but they're good seats, made by Britax.

Convertible Seats

Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (FPSVD): RF 5-33 lbs, FF to 55 lbs. 17 inch top harness slots. Made by Britax, sold under the FP name - basically a stripped down Britax Marathon. Great seat being sold at excellent prices right now. Will last most kids to age 5-6. Supposedly discontinued due to poor sales, but Britax is still manufacturing them as of this month and they have been shipping with brand new DOM’s. ($129)

Britax Marathon, Decathlon, or Boulevard: RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65lbs. 17-17.5 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Basically built on the same shell, all have lockoffs to replace locking clips, very easy installs, many bells and whistles that make them easier to use correctly every time. Boulevard has SIP wings. Boulevard and Marathon have separate LATCH straps, Decathlon has one long strap. Last most kids to age 5-6. ($220+)

Sunshine Kids Radian(65 or 80): RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65 or 80 lbs. 18 inch top harness slots, and allows child’s shoulders to go up to 1 inch above the top slots because it’s built on a steel frame. Allows for RF tethering. Excellent seat, but it has installation compatibility issues in some vehicles when installed with seatbelt. Lasts most kids to age 6-7. ($175+)

Evenflo Triumph Advance: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 50 lbs. 17 in top harness slots. Features infinite harness adjuster - no rethreading the harness! Should last most kids to age 5 or so. Has been found at Babies’R’Us and Wal-Mart. ($130-150)

Recaro Como and Signo: (Coming soon) RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 70 lbs. 19 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Recaro makes seats for NASCAR. Built on basically the same shell, but the Signo will have SIP wings, an infinitely adjustable harness and separate LATCH belts. Will last most kids to age 6-7. ($249+) –Como set for release 2nd week of August, Signo 3rd week of September

Lower cost options... (for primary or secondary cars... they are still GREAT seats)

Cosco Scenera (5pt harness NOT Overhead shield): RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 15 inch top harness slots. Very basic no frill seat. 34” minimum height required for FF in addition to 22 lbs minimum FF weight. Lasts most kids to age 3-3.5 due to low top slots and a short shell, but a good value at $40-50. Available at Wal-Mart, Target, K Mart and more.

Safety First Uptown: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 16.5 inch top harness slots making this is the ONLY 40lb limit convertible that may actually get a kid to 40lbs before it’s outgrown by height. EPP foam, super cushy. Very easy to use and with an 8 yr lifespan! (most seats are 6) Will last most kids to 40 lbs... age 3 or 4 depending on height. (about $100)

The Graco Comfort Sport, Evenflo Titan and Triumph, and all the Cosco/Dorel/Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 seats have low top harness slots and short shells and are usually outgrown the same time as the Scenera. You don’t get much for you money. While they are safe when used properly (like any seat), there are just other options that offer more for the same cost.

 

I know that Babies R Us gives a multiples discount. I think they will give you a 10 percent discount on anything over $80 as long as you buy two of the same thing.

Rachel

 

Buy buy baby givestwins discount---but only 10% of the second one.

I am about to start looking a well. Matthew and Amy are 6 monyhs but Matthew is over 19 pounds an Amy is over 16. Won't be long now before we hit that 22 lb limit on their Gracos. Boy /Girl will I miss my snap n go!!!!!!!!!

Hey wait a minute. I guess I could still use the SNG if I keep the 2 gracos in the back of the car evn though A & M will be in new seats.
How funny 4 carseats in the car at te same time. And I keep 2 strollers (BJCSD) in the car as well !!!!!!!!! crazy!!

I will post if I find any other discounts. Good luck

It is too bad this site full of twin mommies can't get a bigger dicount forthe sheer volume of CSs we purchase. Who is up for negotiating?

 

I just bought my dds forward facing car seat off of Ebay and it cost £34.99 (dont know how much that is in dollars) but that included delivery and it is brand new. I find ebay really good for buying baby stuff x

 

When buying second hand car seats (not sure if the ones on eBay were and not sure about the European seats; although I should know as a European) please keep in mind that US car seats expire usually after 5 or 6 years (Britax and Graco 6 years) after date of manufacturing (printed on the seat). A lot of people don't know and a lot of buyers don't ask, and you'll end up paying for something that's no longer safe (not matter how nice it still looks and/or whether it has been in an accident or not).

 

I am buying them Britax Roundabouts on Friday. They are still within the weight and height limits of the snugride, BUT a friend pointed out that their legs are so long that they extend beyond the infant seat and could absorb the impact of the crash through their legs.

USA baby has a sale going on right now, usually $219, they are selling the roundabout for $209 and they have a 10% discount off the second one for twins.
That is still a LOT of money, but they are very, very safe and very comfortable, and fit on planes. All very important to us.

 

JCS: I would consider a Marathon since they'll probably last you longer (the top slots are 2" higher so an additional 2" in torso height is a big difference) especially if your children are (above) average. I paid $219 and $209 for my 2 Marathons online (can't remember where, I bought 1 in 2004 and 1 in 2006), just google and search.

Not a must, but something to consider.

 

You know, I looked at the Marathon for that very reason, but decided against it in the end.
First, I drive an old Honda Accord and the Marathon is too big to be rear-facing behind my seat.
Second, my girls are very tall already (above 97%) and I did some research and learned that it is likely that they will exceed the height limit of the Marathon long before the weight limit, so technically the Marathon probably wouldn't last us as long as advertised. (The book "Baby Bargains" by Alan and Denise Fields has a convincing explanation for this.)

We prefer not to have to lug the bigger seats through the airports too - I know the Marathon fits on some planes, but the roundabout is just a *bit* smaller, and we will be flying a lot in the next few years.
Finally, I got a great deal on the two Roundabouts at a local baby store, saved almost $60. I am crossing my fingers and hoping my girls will fit into a booster seat by the time they grow out of the Roundabout.

The most important reason, though, was that it wouldn't fit into my car!

 

JCS: if they don't fit, they don't fit, but keep in mind that even tall children (torso is also an issue) will usually fit in a Marathon until 4 years of age (they recommend keeping them harnassed until 40lbs and 4 yo), and with tall children in a Roundabout, you'll most likely won't make that. But again, if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit and there are a few options out there after the Roundabout to keep them (tall children) harnassed. E.g. Cosco Apex combined booster / ff seat (17.5lbs top slots and 65lbs weight limit), the Radian seats or the Britax Regent. Please don't put your children in boosters before age 4, it's not considered safe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

 

Thanks for the tips! The twins are my first, and I would never do anything unsafe - to be honest, we just haven't gotten along far enough to know what comes after convertible car seats. Good to know no boosters before 4 yrs old.