So, ds is almost 14 months and 21 lb's, I guess it's time for a new car seat :)

Sooo, /i'm looking in the range of more orless $150 .
A friend recommended myride convertible by graco which looks good and is in the right price range. someone also mentioned one of the evenflo ones...mybe triumph??

It's been years since we have bought a new car seat ( besides the infant one) and I am not so up on all the pro's and cons of the different ones.

btw, my brother offered to give me their old britax, but I am a bit hesitant since it is about 5 years old and I have a feeling it is not in such great condition. I know they are really good and made to last, is it worth taking it and just getting a new cover?

Carseats expire after about 5/6 years, so I wouldn't use your brother's old one.

I have heard mixed reviews and have had annoying experience with evenflows - the straps constantly twist, but if you're on a tight budget it's a good, safe, reliable seat.

I heard good things about the graco.

Another couple that I hear good things about:
True Fit Premier (better than the regular True Fit because access to the harness adjuster in RF position can be difficult with the regular). Not sure what it retails at in the USA, though. A good benefit to the True Fit is that under 22 lbs you can use it without a removable headrest, which makes it take up less space with the infant recline. Not relevant with your baby, but might be a factor if you were to use it with another baby. Downside is that it is only rated to 35lb rear facing. With the current AAAP recommendation of at rear facing till at least age 2, optimally till age 4, some kids will outgrow it before age 4. It does seem to fit taller kids for longer than some of the others.
The other that I've seen recommended is the Safety First Complete Air, which rear faces till 40lb, though I don't know much else about it.

got the true fit when it came out. not overly impressed. doesn't hold a candle to my britax roundabout. it's our second, also. love it. if you look hard for deals, you can probably get the roundabout for close to your budget. i think$170 is pretty easy to find and i think i've seen $159. but i haven't looked in a coupla years.

:yeah

Loved, loved, loved our Britax roundabout, and ds (an average size kid) used it until he was 5 yo. I got it on ebay, new.

The best part: the straps never tangled.

If you don't have a compact car (i.e. one where there isn't a lot of room for a taller rearfacing seat) I'd go for the Marathon (Britax) when they go on sale, rather than the Roundabout. You'll get more time out of it, height wise.

The Evenflo Triumph Advance (make sure it's the Advance) gets great reviews, and is a high-weight rearfacing seat.

Also to consider: The Sunshine Kids Radian (rearfaces to 35 lbs.), and a couple Safety First seats which are budget but get good reviews: Complete Air (a new one) and the Uptown, which you will need to get online but is a 'sleeper hit'.

The Graco MyRide also is getting good reviews.

For more info on choices, go to www.car-seat.org.

reading this with envy. the carseat choices here are awful.
not one rearfaces beyond 12 months and the inbuilt harness is only til 18 months.

i do know a few people who have imported carseats but because they don't meet our safety standards there are insurance issues, esp if there were to be an accident.

and because of the stupid laws we have a harness point and can't use isofix. which means that there are very few cars which are able to hold enough carseats....
grrrrrr

what great info mamas, thanks :)

lot's of choices :thumbsup

I think Iam going to see if I can find a britax online for a reasonable price.