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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
is it really worth it? expensive vs cheap carseat
So, my DD is a peanut (19 lbs) and is still riding in her infant carseat. She's still got a way to go before she reaches the weight max but she's reached the height max so we're (finally) shooping for a new carseat. The one I was looking at is on sale for $60 (usually $70) but I've seen some that are waaay more expensive. I'm not trying to start a debate...I just really don't know so I'm looking for info...what makes it "worth it" to spend more money on a carseat? Are they somehow more safe? I was under the impression that there were safety standards in place that all carseats had to meet but perhaps I'm wrong. I want my kiddo to be as safe as possible so I'm trying to do some research before I buy. Also, DD rides rear facing in the middle of the back seat. Will she still be able to ride like this in her "big girl" car seat? Now that I'm typing this these seem like dumb questions. 
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Re: is it really worth it? expensive vs cheap carseat
More expensive carseats are not more safe. More expensive carseats sometimes have features that people want (lockoffs, headwings/side impact protection, no-rethread harnesses, cute cover designs, etc.)
If you and your child like the seat and your child fits and it can be installed correctly in your vehicle, then it's a good choice for you.
You may also want to think about the length of time you want to use this seat. I know you said your DD is a peanut, but you'll want to get the most use possible out of the seat, so make sure you're comfortable with the weight and seated height maximums of the seat if you don't want to have to buy another one.
We have 3 car seats - one in each car and one for travel. We have a Britax Marathon in one car (middle of the back seat, still rf in an suv), an Evenflo Triumph (same thing, but a small suv) and our travel car seat is a Cosco Serena (runs about $40) and I like them all equally. Do I like the Britax and Evenflo a bit more then the Cosco, yes, but I would recommend the Cosco still.
The middle is always the safest (rf or ff) even in a convertable car seat. There should be no problem putting her rf in the middle still in a "big girl' seat. It actually might be easier, because of the back of convertable seats being taller then the infant carriers.
As a pp said, a few things to think about - the lenght of time you'll be using that seat. I went with 2 that have higher RF limits (not the highest they have) and can be FF for a while as well.
Also, all carseats have to meet the same safety standards, so while some may be "safer" or considered "safer" that doesn't necessarly mean that the less expensive seats are any less safe.
Hello from your local drivers ed instructor (yeah - I own "Red Asphalt and everything).
I went with a Britax in the main family vehicle and a Safety 1st in the secondary car.
Why? I am freakin' paranoid. Both of our cars are Volvo's. I watch too many drivers ed videos and have too many cop friends who have seen bad things.
What I noticed is that some of the cheaper ones did not go to as a high a weight so it wouldn't be usable for as long.
Also, a BIG difference between the models seemed to be side impact protection. The Britax was the best in my opinion. If you don't drive an SUV (higher vehicle therefore less likely to have incurssion during a side impact) or you plan on putting your kid in the side seat (as opposed to the center) do not skimp on side impact protection.
Ditto to PP- you are paying for the "extra's"- all seats have to meet the same safety standards. The safest seat is one that is installed correctly in your vehicle.
That being said, we have two Britax Marathons- I love them- they were super easy to install, the straps don't get twisted, and the covers clean up very nice in the washer. Britax has always been a leader when it comes to convertible car seats, I just could not imagine not having their seats. My suggestion- in the car that your LO is in more get a better seat, and then get a less expensive seat for your second car. I know a lot of people who said the Cosco Serena's (I think that's the name) are very good seats, great price and great as a second or third car seat.
IME, the more expensive seats tend to have more padding (for comfort, not safety) and nicer fabrics. So you do tend to get more for your money, but not necessarily more safety, since all carseats have to meet the same standards.
We have the Evenflo Triumph and Symphony in our cars. We planed on buying Britax for the reputation ? but the Evenflo seemed more comfortable. They seemed the same in structure, so we couldn?t see that Britax would really be any safer. Plus, they are half the price, which is more than I?m willing to pay for a name.
We got a Evenflo Tribute V for my parents? car, since they babysit DD quite a bit. The shell was similar (although the straps are different and not as nice), but there is a noticeable difference in the fabric and padding. We went with it because it?s smaller and just fine for the short trips my parents do (typically less than 3 miles from home). But I?d go with a higher-end model for an everyday or longer use. It?s about the same cost as the Cosco seat, but I went with a brand that we trusted.
My tips: I rolled my eyes at cup holders, but it would actually be nice to have one. Also, only consider carseats whose covers come off without undoing the straps. If you plan on RFing with a convertible, pay the $20 for the strap ratchet. It was the only way we could get the seat in securely in one of our cars.
I actually disagree with most of the opinions on this post. Yes, all care seats have to meet minimum government safety standards. That does not mean all seats are equally safe. More expensive car seats choose to EXCEED the minimum standards. Like side impact protection. Like top tethers. Like lockoffs. Like having a steel frame instead of it being made of plastic.
In addition, many of the expensive seats have padding to make the ride more comfortable for the child. IMHO this is totally worth it so you don't have to put up with a kid screaming everytime he/she is put in the seat. For example, we checked out purchasing a Costco Seneca as a seat to use while flying/traveling. It was basically a plastic shell with a thin cloth cover on top of the plastic. My DD would scream bloody murder if she had to sit in that for 2 hours. We bought a used britax roundabout instead for $50.
Our seat is a Britax Boulevard. I picked that over the Marathon because of a convenience feature - it has a knob to turn and adjust the back height of the seat as the child grows. This means that we don't have to take the seat out of the car, take the cover off, undo the straps, rethread them, put it all back together, and get it installed again. We just turn the knob. A convenience that we thought was worth the money.
Read reviews on Amazon of different seats you are considering. And check out https://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4 which is a great message board. They can tell you all about the latest car seats (like the MyRide, the Sunshine Kids Radian, etc not just all Britax Britax Britax), and give you advice about which will fit in your care the best.