Carseat Help Needed - which ones to get?

[wildfire]

We currently have a Safeseat 32 with my 14 month old and a Blvd with my 3 year old, RF. We need to get new carseats for our second car, one will be used a bit more than the other, but still somewhat close to equal.

The second car has a problem with one of the side seatbelts, it doesn't lock properly, so I'm hoping to get something that can go side by side in the middle and other outboard position. We also don't have anchors in either car, but from my reading that it is OK to not tether below 45 pounds? DD1 is at 32 right now. I do plan to have them installed at some point, but both cars the "free" anchor install is in the center position so I'm not sure that'll work for us.

My plan is to get a new Frontier 85 from the "primary" car. For the second car, possibly a Graco Nautilus to save a little money? I just wasn't as impressed with them at the store so I'm not sure on this yet. We could go with two Fronters but money is a little tight. I found them for $209.99 so I know that is a really good price.

For DD2, I'll use the Blvd for one seat but I'm stumped on the other. I was thinking a Marathon 70 (also for $209.99), but then thought maybe a Roundabout 55 (for $159.99)? Does this have a smaller footprint and would it fit better next to a FF Frontier/Nautilus? Or would it be better to switch the Blvd FF for now, keep the infant seat for a few more months (she still has a little room), and get them each one new one (so 2 instead of 3)?

HELP!

Both girls are 50% for height but 25% for weight so height is more of the limiting factor.

[jjordan]

So you're planning to turn the 3 year old FF? If so, you really should get the tether anchors installed. Regardless of the child's weight, a top tether reduces head excursion and should always be used when forward facing (in a harnessed seat).

$210 is a good price on a frontier. You could consider the Evenflo Maestro for the second car (about $80). It will also have a better chance of fitting in the center next to another carseat, because it's narrower than the frontier or nautilus.

I would certainly pass the boulevard down rather than using it as a forward facing seat. No point in owning 3 convertibles if you only need 2.

The marathon70 and roundabout55 are the same size, so if one works, they both will, and if one doesn't work, neither will. You might just try some seats in your car to see what (if anything) will fit next to whatever forward-facing seats you choose. It's hard to say for sure without giving it a try.

[bubbaray]

Why don't you get the seatbelt fixed so that you have more options? Some vehicles just aren't compatible with 3 across (which is what you are talking about, just leaving the other outboard position vacant and using the center and outboard)