Need a seat right now!

[Rachels]

I'm with my mom, and Abigail is too tall for her carseat here. (I hate it, so I'm not crushed.) But I've got to get a new seat pronto. This is a grandparent's car carseat, so I don't want to spend billions, but I want something that will keep her harnessed as long as possible. I was thinking of the Apex, but it sounds like that's hard to find. What else should I consider?

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[bensmom]

How much does she weigh?
What seat is she too tall for?

Ilana

CPS Tech and mom

[o_mom]

How much does she weigh? What seat did she outgrow?

In the 65lb range you have the Apex - at BRU - ask them to look under Lancer or Alpha Elite The only other option is a MA/DC/BV, but they are $$$ as you know. That's really it for the off-the-shelf market. All other options seem to be either mail-order or more $$$ than Britax right now.

For harness to 40 lbs - the Graco Platinum/Ultra Cargo (Target $99) It has high harness slots, so it will last to 40lbs. A Scenara (Scenera)is also an option for a convertible, only $40 and top slots are pretty high - you could use it for Ethan later.

---
Edited for clarity

[Joolsplus2]

I don't think the Apex is *too* hard to find, TRU or BRU usually have them, maybe right next to the Graco Platinum or Ultra Cargos, or Evenflo Generations/Bolero/Traditions/Chase you might also consider (or even the Safety 1st Intera, which is also a convertible, and comes with a booster, too...so you could have 2 seats in one down the road :) )
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[kellyotn]

A Scenara might be easiest for right now (and can be used for Ethan soon), if you can't find the Apex. Its at Target, Walmart and Kmart. My 3 year old outgrew a Fisher Price seat but has a surprising amount of room in a Scenara. It won't last for ages, but its a nice stop-gap.

What did she outgrow?

Is the Apex ok in her car in that it has high seatbacks? (Midpoint of kid's head cannot be higher than vehicle seatbacks.)

[Rachels]

She outgrew the Combi Victoria. She's a peanut, even, but her shoulders are above the top harness slots and she's FF. I HATE that seat. Grrrr.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[Joolsplus2]

Oh yeah, I knew *someone* bought that seat and kinda liked it, but then didn't like it, I just forgot it was you ;)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Rachels]

I hate it. I would have returned it, actually, but my mom had thrown away the box. It's a good seat once you get it adjusted and installed, but those two things are such a bitch to do that it just isn't worth it. Ick.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[SusanMae]

http://www.babylove.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/p-CAR-BRITY005.html?L+scstore+mynt8260+1135054532

The site above has the husky for 169.99. Of course you'll have to wait for it to be shipped, but that is such a deal...that could you play the car seat switch(assuming your not hundreds or thousands of miles away) until it got to you.

Susan