Convertible car seats

So we have the Graco step 2 Safe Seat which is only forward facing. Either I keep them (since I am still struggling on finding a way to exchange them with BRU's new return policy) and get a cheapie convertible until they turn 1, or I buy good convertible carseats and either eat the forward facing ones I have or find some way to sell them - or a sneaky way to return them.

Questions:
!) Does anyone have the step 2 Graco safe seats? Is it worth keeping and waiting to use them (are they that good?)
2) Is there a "cheapie" convertible you would recommend?
3) What convertible car seat would you recommend if we just bit the bullet and bought them good ones to use from now on?
4) What's the deal with the Brittax seats? What makes them so good? What's better, Marathon/Roundabout, and why?
5) Would the car seat you're recommending fit in a Saturn Vue? Small SUV, I doubt the back seat is much bigger than a car.

 

We went for the marathons just because we have a small car for now (Honda Civic) and with a google search I couldn't find another seat that would fit - especially two of them. I'm not even quite sure they will fit but I guess we'll find out soon... We went for the marathon because they go to 65lb, and we don't want to have to buy another seat in 3 years if we can avoid it.

I'd guess in a SUV you could fit about anything though.

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Oct 1 2008, 11:24 AM) [snapback]1006583[/snapback]
We went for the marathons just because we have a small car for now (Honda Civic) and with a google search I couldn't find another seat that would fit - especially two of them. I'm not even quite sure they will fit but I guess we'll find out soon... We went for the marathon because they go to 65lb, and we don't want to have to buy another seat in 3 years if we can avoid it.

I'd guess in a SUV you could fit about anything though.


So does the marathon work as the booster type seat too, that they would use next?

 

A lot of them do. Then you can switch to regular boosters (the ones that works with the regular seatbelt). That's why I like that it lasts until 65lb, otherwise you'd have to buy another seat once they reach 40lb if they're too young to use a regular booster (although I think most kids outgrow them in length first). But other seats last until 65lb too.

 

Mine are in Evenflow Triumph Advances. They're mid-priced, around $150 I think. We have two of them in the back of our Toyota Highlander and they fit nicely. I imagine they'd fit in the backseat of a regular-sized sedan and the Vue. They are a little wider than some other convertible seats that I've seen, though.

If I were in your situation, I'd buy convertible seats now and sell the Graco seats on Craigslist. Since they've never been used you should be able to get most of your money back.

 

We also have Evenflow Triumph Advance :good:.

 

QUOTE(SweetGirl @ Oct 1 2008, 08:37 PM) [snapback]1007147[/snapback]
We also have Evenflow Triumph Advance :good:.


Us too. They are awesome!! Very comfy!

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Oct 1 2008, 04:51 PM) [snapback]1007176[/snapback]
Us too. They are awesome!! Very comfy!


I'm so glad! A lot of you said Evenflow Triumph Advance, and that's what I got! I went to the store before reading all this, not expecting them to take them back and not expecting to have to make a decision on the spot. This time I brought the babies, lugged the boxes in and said I didn't have the receipt, and it worked! I ended up picking these because they were mid-priced and they seemed like they'd be comfortable. Plus, they were tagged with a "parents top pick" sticker. Now I feel better to see I made a good call!

 

That is so great that they let you exchange those seats. :banana: Your kiddos will love their new "ride."