Need a replacement seat fast -- any ideas?

[pasterhe]

Hello --
The airline bracked the buckle on our Britax RA and did a number on the styrofoam backing, too. I think they will replace, but I am wodnering if I should get another RA or if I should get something longer lasting. My daughter is 25 months, about 27 pounds and 36".

She is a wriggler, so she needs a good harness. Is a Marathon a worthwhile choice? It may require some fighting on my part to get the extra cost approved. Or is another RA the way to go? Or does someone have a good choice for the cost of a replacement RA that will be a better choice?

Thanks!

[Aunt to sweet baby boy]

Is your dd RF or FF?

Ilana

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[pasterhe]

Thanks for asking. She is front facing (extremely long!).
I should also say that we do not have a minivan, so any seat that can help us get 3 across would be a nice to have.....
Thanks!

[tjham]

What are you using in the meanwhile?

They probably won't pay for a more expensive one but you could use the replacement cost toward the Marathon. But it is a bit wider (1 1/2 inch) than the RA.

[pasterhe]

I have my son's Fisher Price that worked well until we needed a second seat. I think I do not want a wider seat. How long can she stay in a RA anyway? Should I just replace with that?

[postmodernmommy]

Around 40" she'll outgrow the RA- how about replacing with it one of the slightly larger Britax models that go up to 65 lbs? The Marathon and Decathalon are great, the Boulevard is even more spectacular with side impact protection. Have you looked at those? They're going to be a bit more expensive than the RA, could you possibly pay the difference? Just a thought. I wish I had never gotten the RA and went straight for one of those three instead.

Good luck!
Amy :)