Convertible Carseat Question

sno&jmg · October 2011

Currently, we have a convertible carseat in our main car and the infant seat in our second car. E is a peanut, so she's just now outgrowing the infant carseat.

For those of you with two cars, did you just transfer the convertible carseat back and forth, or did you get a second one? If you purchased a second, did you get the same model or something less expensive?

And, just for FYI, E's only really in the second car for about 10 minutes on the 3 days a week that I work (take her to DC).

Thanks!

MrsHughesNC · October 2011

We got a second one, but DD is in both of our cars pretty equally. We have a Britax Roundabout 50 in one, and a First Years True Fit in the other.

In your situation, I'd probably still get a second seat, because to me switching them between cars seems like a PITA. I'd probably just get a Cosco Scenera for the less used car. It gets good safety ratings, and is about $40. It's just not as "cushy."

raceyrae · October 2011

We switch carseats between cars but the girls are only in my husband's car once a week (and actually just Claire when he takes her shopping while I take Natalie to ballet class). In your situation, I'd get a second carseat. I would get the same carseat you have assuming you bought it because of the safety rating etc. I wouldn't get a cheaper and less safe carseat (assuming the cheaper one was less safe) even for a 10 minute car ride.

becki777 · October 2011

We have 2 car seats, a Evenflo Titan Elite & a Cosco Scenera. Caleb prefers the Scenera - not sure if that's because it is more comfortable, or because its orange:)

We tend to move seats a lot, just because his babysitter(s) often need a car seat. I feel confident installing his seat, and it only takes a few minutes. But for $50 or less, I would buy a second seat merely for the convenience.

becki777 · October 2011

raceyrae:
I would get the same carseat you have assuming you bought it because of the safety rating etc. I wouldn't get a cheaper and less safe carseat (assuming the cheaper one was less safe) even for a 10 minute car ride.

Less expensive seats are not less safe. They are all required to meet the same federal regulations for crash testings etc. It just means that the cheaper seats usually can't be used as long (height/weight) or that they don't have all the feautures of a higher priced seat. Consumer Reports rates the Scenera as highly as "expensive" seats for safety ratings.

raceyrae · October 2011

becki777:
raceyrae:
I would get the same carseat you have assuming you bought it because of the safety rating etc. I wouldn't get a cheaper and less safe carseat (assuming the cheaper one was less safe) even for a 10 minute car ride.
Less expensive seats are not less safe. They are all required to meet the same federal regulations for crash testings etc. It just means that the cheaper seats usually can't be used as long (height/weight) or that they don't have all the feautures of a higher priced seat. Consumer Reports rates the Scenera as highly as "expensive" seats for safety ratings.

That's why I said "assuming it's less safe" meaning if that wasn't the case than get a cheaper one.

sno&jmg · October 2011

I forgot to mention that we're hoping to have another baby in the next year/year and a half. I'm not sure if that would change your answers at all. Obviously, we would use the infant seat for the new baby at first.

sophabelle · October 2011

MrsHughesNC:
In your situation, I'd probably still get a second seat, because to me switching them between cars seems like a PITA. I'd probably just get a Cosco Scenera for the less used car. It gets good safety ratings, and is about $40. It's just not as "cushy."

this. we have the cosco scerera for ds in my gpa's car since we take it frequently. changing out the convertible seats gets to be a PITA lol.

Rasz39 · October 2011

we're still debating kid 2.0, but we got our infant seat and two bases from a friend. We knew that the seat would age out before we got around to kid 2.0, so we're planning on getting a second convertible car seat for the barely used vehicle. The reason we're opting for two instead of switching back & forth is because the second vehicle is pre-LATCH system...so it isn't easy. Not to mention it's a Subaru, so the Evenflo seat we have does not work in it. The other problem with the "second vehicle" is that is the one that is home when the other is taking one of us to work. So for quick errands (groceries, run to the convenience store, etc) she's in the infant seat right now. I'm a little worried that she'll have gained 3# in the past three months (I know, unlikely) and we'll have to get her a new seat NOW and not be able to wait until (hopefully) the other Great Trade In event in the spring to turn in the then-aged-out infant seat for an awesome convertible....since we are likely going to go with Britax...

tracey4228 · October 2011

We got a second convertible seat for DH's car. We figured it would be a giant PITA to keep switching the seat from car to car. Plus, I'm enough of a dork that I have the installation inspected just to make sure so I'd be concerned about how well I had it installed.

We have the Roundabout 50 in both cars, but it's more convenience then intention. We were able to get a decent price on the second seat and DH already felt comfortable with it.

starz080 · October 2011

We bought two of the same car seat. R outgrew her infant seat at 8.5 months! I'm thinking about this same thing for when #2 gets big enough for a convertible. I have one for her, but I am thinking we might have to get her another one too. That's 4 convertible carseats! Wow!

Mrs.LLG · October 2011

We have 1 and switch it if need be. I just don't see what the big deal about switching it between cars is and therefore to me its a waste of $$ to get a second one, it takes less than 5 minutes to do and once you've done it you know how it works.

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