Time for a New Car Seat

A few things:
1- Check for recalls, if they are not recalled you have an option of any that aren't. The idea that you need the best is noble but not practical. I have used the cheaper kind and its always worked for me, and I know many others who do the same.
2- You can freecycle in your area and ask for one if you are very low on money, I know we are. You just need to be sure that its accident free and no defect.
3- In the same regards as 2, Craigslist, BayAreaKidsSwap which is a yahoo group.
4. Maybe sure that is it comfortable for you son, for your sake and his.
5. Know that of you are not satisfied if you purchase, within a small given time, of course and given that its in perfect condition you can take it back.
Hope this helps.
V.

At 6 mos. my son outgrew his infant seat and we upgraded to the Britax Marathon. I got one from Craig's List that was practically brand new, no accidents. That's the best way to afford the best stuff, and you don't want to scrimp with safety items! We love the seat, by the way.

I've tried several and I've finally found one I love. I really like the Evenflo Triumph Advanced. Price is anywhere from $125-170 depending on the 'trim' and where you buy it but it's widely available.
The model I have can be rear facing up to 35 lbs (the highest wt limit I found for RF) then front facing to 50 lbs which is among the highest.

The adjustments for sholder strap height and belt tightening are the easiest around - and really, ease of use is the most important safety feature, since no matter how well your carseat is rated for safety, its not safe if your not using it exactly as it's intended.

On the Evenflo Triumph advanced the sholder straps slide up and down so you can adjust them to just the right height every time you put your baby in.
The belt tightens and loosens with a knob on the side, which did take a bit to get used to, but I've found does a much better job of getting the straps as tight as they should be, and is so much easier than the strap between the legs, which always seems to be at a wierd angle for me to pull.

My model also has the easy release or quick release latch system (basically a button kinda like a seatbelt to release the latch)...it didn't seem that important to me when we were buying it, but really its great! Makes it sooo much easier to get the seat in and out if your changing cars (or just vacuuming up all the Cheerios).

Hope this helps, and you find a seat you like!
Oh, and I drive a Mazda3 which is pretty small, and the seat fits fine.

Hi D.,

Gosh, if you don't mind used, there are a ton of them out there. Try Berkeley Parent's network or craigslist

R.

I second the evenflo triumph car seat. The ELX model is not really worth the additional $ for more padding. The LX model is just perfect. My son loves it. He is only 5 months old and his chicco carseat was just a pain to get in an out and he would cry when we put him in it. Now, no more crying!!!

Go to babies-r-us and try them in your car before you purchase. Also put your son in each one too. He will tell you which one works or doesn't work.