Car Seat Opinion Please

Updated on July 21, 2011
M.S. asks from Troutdale, OR
14 answers

I am looking at a new carseat for my daughter since she has reached the 35 lb weight limit of hers. I just realized it was 35 and not 40 yesterday! She is 21 months old and is into a 3T, so she is tall as well as heavy at 35 lbs. I am looking to get a carseat that will last her for several years. I would like to keep her in the 5 point harness for as long as possible for safety. That being said, the carseats where the harness only holds 40 lbs would be pointless. I am looking at the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL convertible seat, but am open to suggestions. The requirements are: must be or come in pink, have a cup holder, and the harness has to work past 40 lbs. So, moms, if you have any recommendations, or know or have a Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL and have anything to say about it good or bad, I would really appreciate the information. Thank you!

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

I just got the Britax Frontier 85 for my 3 year old. I love it! It 5 points until they are 85 lbs and then boosters until 120 I think. I don't even weigh 120, so the seat could hold me, lol.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Britax Frontier 85, We were in the same spot with our oldest son (nearly 5 years old and less than 40 lbs but getting to tall for the seat). We bought ours from Diapers.com and got 20% off, they arent running that special right now but they are tons cheaper than any box store, and shipping is free.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Memphis on

We have the Sunshine Kids Radian 65, actually we are on our third - two were involved in accidents and had to be replaced. I have been really happy with it. It performed great with my son in it in both accidents that totaled both cars. (It's been a bad car year for us.) The only problem we have had with it was getting it really tightly installed. We got a foam pool noodle to put under it (as recommended) to help get really tight. I have been very happy with it. I believe the weight limit on it is 80 pounds. The XTSL sounds like a really good one too.

1 mom found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

My son is a tall chunky kid too. Go with the britax frontier. It has the nights weight possible. 65? I think for the 5 point harness and 120ish for the booster. I do believe it comes in pink. . . Not sure. Look up britaxusa.com for all of the colors. I got the cow-moo-flouge and I love it!!

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Evenflo Symphony goes up to 65 pounds. We have one in both cars and LOVE it!!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.A.

answers from Spartanburg on

We just installed the Sunshine Radian 65SL for our daughter this morning. So far, she and I like it :) She will be 5 in a couple of months, wieghs 38lbs and is 42" tall...she has said the seat is very comfortable, and not as hot as her previous seat. We really only bought this brand b/c we have 3 seats in one row in our car, but I was impressed with the research I found (a big selling pt being that the hght/wght ratios extend beyond many other seats) and so far we like the seat itself.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

I've heard good things about te seat you're looking at, we've always had britax. The marathon is super safe and goes to 65lba but doesn't have cup holders, which was never an issue. We have a zebra print one! My oldest now has the britax frontier which has upholders and comes in pink, harnesses to 85lbs then uses the seatbelt to 120! But I think there's a minimum weight too, check their website for details. Britax's safety ratings are impeccable, and we were in a fatality accident with DD in the marathon and she was uninjured.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.L.

answers from Portland on

I love the graco nautilus. My son is almost 7 and he still uses the 5 pt harness. When they outgrow the harness you can convert it into a high back booster or a backless booster. I have seen it in pink and it does have a cupholder. I love knowing that I will never have to buy another carseat for him! Happy hunting!

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S.S.

answers from Seattle on

I'm a big fan of the Graco Nautilus. We have them for our two-year-old twin boys and the harness works until 65 lbs, I think, at which point they can turn into a booster seat. We went through the same thing and wanted a seat that would grow with them. The head rest moves up and down, too, which is great. It comes in pink, too, as far as I know, and has built-in cup holders.

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M.H.

answers from Seattle on

I see what i did - i tried to answer another carseat question in today's email with this answer, but it was meant for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Britax-E9LC22S-Frontier-Combination...

My daughter has a Britax Frontier. It has a longevity that i don't think anything else can match. (Mmm.... it might not start small enough for her - i think my daughter was 2 when we got it - ah, i see, i am answering the wrong question.)

Anyway, Frontier, i really recommend it.

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We have the Graco Nautilus and LOOOOVE it.

It has a 5 point harness up to 65 pounds, and converts to a belt positioner up to 100 pounds. It has a built in cup holder, which is fantastic compared to the flimsy ones that attach to or pull out from the sides of seats. And it has 2 cubbies/compartments on the sides of the seats for the child to stash things, like snacks, sunglasses, toys... like their own little glove compartment/console! LOL

It does come in various girly colors, and is sold by various retailers. Walmart had a pink flowered one (that was last year - not sure what their current model has), Target has a gray and lavender one (pretty), and there are others. We love this seat, and would buy it again. And this was after a pretty exhaustive search and comparision between models.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Nautilus-3-in-1-Car-Seat-...

http://www.target.com/Graco-Nautilus-Car-Seat-Tilla/dp/B0...

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J.O.

answers from Corvallis on

We have the sunshine radian and love it. In our other car we have the much cheaper graco nautilis 3 in 1 which we really love as well. I think my daughter finds the nautilis more comfortable and the price can't be beat. We love the cup holder too! I believe it can remain in 5 pt harness mode until 100lbs! But check the specs to be sure. good luck!
-J

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

We have a nautilus it does come in pink but I don't see what the big deal about the color of the seat is.

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

My big tip is to look online before buying to make sure the seat is compatible with your car. The combo convertible/booster seats are massive and don't work in every vehicle. I never could get the Graco Nautilus safely installed in the second row of our Honda Odyssey and you'd think if it would fit in a vehicle it would be in a minivan! Wasted a good couple of hours trying to install that seat and ended up having to return it.

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