Need a (better priced) alternative to Britax Marathon

[spanannie]

My mom needs a 2nd seat for her car. She currently has a Britax RA, but we need to put DD in that and get a bigger seat for DS (approx 34# and 39 in). $249 is just too much for a 2nd seat that won't get a whole lot of use (2-3 times per week, short distances)...are there any high QUALITY alternatives that are more reasonably priced?

Thanks!

[Joolsplus2]

The Graco Platinum or Ultra Cargo have nice tall top slots, nontwist straps, and front adjusters and EPS foam and a recline bar...and the Evenflo Generations is also a favored seat (no EPS foam, and weird dial adjusters... not good if Grandma has arthritis, but otherwise decent), and becomes a very nice booster later. The Cosco Apex harnesses to 65 pounds (might be called the Lancer, it's at some TRU's right now), becomes a great booster, but MUST be used in a car with headrests or tall seatbacks (it's $130, but will definitely last the longest of the bunch).

Quality...well, it's in the eye of the beholder...none of these are Britaxes, but they certainly aren't terrible ;)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx