Boulevard or Marathon - help me decide!

[JoyNChrist]

Okay, I'm going to buy a convertible tomorrow (the infant seat war just isn't working anymore). My local baby store has both the Marathon and Boulevard, but I can't decide which one I want. Since it's only about a $40 difference in the price, that isn't really an issue.

DH wants a MA because he likes the fabric option (MA's have the collegiate covers, and our local store has an LSU one...yes, a purple carseat). I'm not so crazy about the bright purple, but it's going to take a decent argument to get DH to go for the Boulevard. Are there any other great features that the MA doesn't have, other than the harness adjustment? And how much more convenient is the harness adjuster knob, anyway?

DS is currently 7 wks, 11 lbs 8 oz, and 24 inches long (if that matters).

Sigh...those lovely Park Avenue stripes would look much nicer in my Yukon than the purple and gold...

[Joolsplus2]

Oooh, I love purple... of course I have a girl, but my school colors were blaring orange and white, so no one could stand that on a seat, lol :D

I think the Boulevard has a 'rip stitch' tether, so for forward facing it just helps the harness/tether absorb more energy than the kid (the MA will have it sometime soon, and the BV may not have it, unless it's really new...your baby's really young, so make sure you get the newest seat possible, like, manufactured last month...the label's on the box with the date of manufacture, so no need to have the stock kid open up the box to check!). The dialing harness is nice, but the headwings can be kind of a pain to load and unload the kiddo sometimes... probably not THAT bad, but the MA is really easy. If your car is already loaded with side curtain airbags, then the BV probably isn't that critical. The Purple MA may well be slightly older stock, so you might win out on THAT point. So, there's a load of different points/pros/cons to consider...it all comes down to what you fight over less in the store...don't you need two seats? A purple MA for dad and a Park Avenue for mom? ;)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[JoyNChrist]

Haha...if I walk in the store tomorrow and suggest we spend almost $600 on carseats, I will almost certainly not have to consider my husband's opinion, since I probably won't be married anymore. :-)

[Joolsplus2]

LOL, I hear ya :D

I'm sure the answer will come to you..just 'play' with both of them and see which really does it for ya (or order from www.albeebaby.com ...they're always cheaper, lol)

Tell us how it goes!
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[JoyNChrist]

Thanks, Jools!

We got the Boulevard. ;-)

I really like the harness adjustment, and the extra padding provides a better fit for DS while he's still little...he seemed kind of swallowed by the Marathon.

And that LSU MA was *awfully* purple...

The Park Avenue looks great with my gray interior. And DS seems to love it - we took our first ever car trip today with no screaming. That right there is worth the $299 price tag!

[katiesmommy]

A friend of mine got the Park Avenue Boulevard. I love it. It is soooo pretty and looks soooo comfy. I'm glad you and Avery like it.