Ugh--DS is 40.5" and 38.5lbs and is 3.5 years old. I think he is mature enough for a booster as he is very adamant about being buckled in. We need a 2nd seat.
I have a Regent in my car, and frankly, am less than thrilled with it. It is large, and I've had issues with the straps twisting, I'm really wishing I had purchased a young sport instead, but have never seen one IRL, so it may be wishful thinking??? (For reference we had an Evenflo Triumph and a Britax Galaxy, both of which I loved relative to the regent).
I do like that the regent harnesses to 80 lbs and as long as I don't need to move the seat it is fine in my car. DS rides in my car 90% of the time. He spends ~5% of his time in DH's 2002 Toyota Tundra (because the backseat is removed, he needs to ride in the front with the airbag turned off). When he's not riding with DH, the carseat is removed from the truck, so is reinstalled many times. Because he's riding in the front seat, I'm thinking he needs to be harnessed. But think it will be a PITA to get a Regent in and out. The other 5% he's in Grandma's car, etc. and so I've ruled out the Apex due to the head rest issue.
We will be adopting an infant in the next year. (But have an infant seat as well as the Galaxy and Triumph that will go to 2009)
If you've hung with me so far, here are my options.
1. Buy a parkway now and use as 2nd seat. (Actually, DS hasn't quite outgrown the Triumph, but could at any moment :), so use once DS outgrows the Triumph)
2. Buy a Boulevard/Marathon as a second seat and wait one more year to buy a booster as DS will likely outgrow by 5 years, then 'pass down' to the baby. (I really like the sand dollar Marathon on Albee baby, but think a BV might be better as a front seat car seat, although I don't really want to pay that much $$$ for an extra seat).
3. Buy a 2nd Regent, because after all this is likely the safest thing to do :(.
4. Edited to add--perhaps I should try a SK radian 65? It seems in my searching when I selected the Regent, there were install issues with the radian, and so I ruled it out. However just looking online, this may be the best bet?
Your advice/opinions are greatly appreciated!
TIA,
Mary