Convertible Seat for 2-door Pontiac Grand Prix

[evmom]

Hello,

Does anyone have any idea what might be the best convertible seat for a 2002 2-door Pontiac Grand Prix? We also have a 1998 2-door Pontiac Grand Prix, so we'll likely need to get one for that too but he's not in it as much. I'm very confused as to the LATCH thing and not sure whether both of our cars actually have it. Although I should know from the infant seat we have now. Baby is almost 8 months and almost 28 inches (the max height for our seat now) and about 18 - 19 lbs. I thought about the Roundabout, but don't know if that will fit or if it will last very long.....
Any advice?

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it. Ready to buy an infant car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat. Ready to buy a Britax Roundabout? Please support our sponsor!

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[MnMadhouse]

Actually, convertible seats are easier to fit in vehicles rather than infant carriers b/c you don't have to have that full 45 degree recline that is required for newborns or children with poor head control. Since all carseat manufacturers allow bracing (except Evenflo which requires at least 1" of space between the front seat and the carseat...so avoid Evenflo in a small vehicle like yours), you could probably get most any convertible to fit in your vehicle.

Also, heights that are listed on carseats are just guidelines. If your child still has at least 1" of carseat shell or more above the top of his head, you could technically still use your infant carrier--also, pay attention to his weight limit.

Some seats that are a wise investment and will last you the longest are:

First Years True Fit--RF to 35lbs, FF to 65lbs $180

Britax Boulevard/Marathon/Decathlon--RF to 35lbs, FF to 65lbs $300ish, but on sale until Saturday/sunday (I believe.. go to Baby Car Seats & Child Booster Seats - Seat Reviews & Free Shipping)

Recaro Signo--RF to 35lbs, FF to 70lbs $250.

As for the LATCH. Your 2002 Grand Prix has them in all 3 seating positions in the back, but your 1998 does not (they didn't mandate them until 2002). So in the 98, you will use the seatbelt to install and in the 2002, you can use either the LATCH OR the seatbelt. There is nothing 'safer' between one or the other. Some parents find one way easier than another. Whichever you can get the best install is the best route you should go.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax car seats Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made. Ready to buy a Britax seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it. Ready to buy an infant car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional. Ready to buy a Britax Marathon? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit. Ready to buy a Britax Boulevard? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Decathlon - Click for more info Like its predecessors the Britax Roundabout and the Britax Marathon, the Britax Decathlon is built around two core ideals: safety and comfort. Its easy to see that the Decathlon is comfortable: it's loaded with a 3-position crotch strap, patented HUGS harness system, plush (and washable!) seat cover, belly pad, removable toddler head pillow, and an infant positioning system for newborn babies. These features provide a comfortable, adjustable fit as your child grows - all the way from 5 to 65 pounds.

	RECARO With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children. For more info, visit RecaroChildSeat.com

	the First Years formerly Compass - Click for more info Compass was founded by a group of fathers who had spent years in the corporate world developing child care products. Disillusioned with the slew of problems that come with working for a giant conglomerate, this group set out the make their own mark on the child care industry in 2003. Compass' first innovative booster seat, the B500, started shipping in January of 2004. This was the first foldable belt-positioning booster on the market, and its design was so praised by the industry that Compass received a Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) Innovation Award 5 months after its release. The great minds at Compass have now taken the next step with their success by releasing some fantastic infant car seats and compatible strollers, all of which are designed with the same innovative simplicity that make Compass Boosters such a sought after product. No longer just "The Booster People", Compass is making a serious run at the competition by offering the I-410 and I-420 Infant Car Seats , as well as the Magnesium S330 Stroller and Magnesium T730 Travel System.

	RECARO Signo - Click for more info The RECARO Signo car seat is the premier convertible child seat RECARO produces. With its 5-70 lbs weight capacity, adjustable harness, and forward or rear-facing convertibility, the deluxe RECARO Signo may be the only car seat you will ever need. The Signo offers the same basic features and specifications as the RECARO Como convertible, but adds a few features - such as double wall head support and infinite harness adjustment settings. Ready to buy a Recaro Signo? Please support our sponsor!

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[evmom]

Thanks! It's great to know that all those seats would likely fit our cars. I notice you did not mention the Roundabout. Is there any reason why you would not want to get a Roundabout? After reading the post about the 18-month old in the accident, I am now especially concerned about getting the "right" seat! It seems to me that there aren't many, if any, car seats that give us the ability to have a RF baby for more than about 35 pounds.

Also, I read that kids don't seem to care too much about the amount of padding on car seats. Is that true?

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat. Ready to buy a Britax Roundabout? Please support our sponsor!

[MnMadhouse]

The RA will only FF to 40lbs in a harness. You want to RF your child as long as possible, harness them as long as possible, then booster them as long as possible.

Neither of my kids ever 'complained' about being comfortable in their carseats. The only time was when my 6 y/o was riding in a booster and the edge hit her mid thigh (she's all legs). Her legs were going to sleep and she was NOT happy! My ds RF in a Scenera for a couple of months (there is ZERO padding) and he never complained (he was almost 2).

You are correct. The only seats that RF past 35lbs have to be imported from overseas. They have some that will RF to 55lbs. This is why they have the least death/injury rates among children in crashes than the US does Maybe one day when we are grandparents, our children will be able to see those seats made in the US!

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

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[evmom]

Hello again!

Thank you for your advice! I went ahead and ordered a Marathon and it came in the mail last night. This is probably a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. The box it came in was kind of smashed a bit. I could see inside the box from the driveway when I came home. So clearly it had been through a bit on the delivery truck(s). Is this a concern? Could it have been smucked around enough to compromise the integrity of the car seat?

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional. Ready to buy a Britax Marathon? Please support our sponsor!

[MnMadhouse]

More than likely, there isn't an issue, BUT I would still remove the cover and check the foam/seat for any damage or white stress marks. It is probably okay though! Congrats on your new seat!

[evmom]

Thank you again! I'll do that when I get home, but I know that it probably just took a tumble off of a truck or something. That's quite different than being in an accident!

I just noticed that the car seat doesn't have a shade on it. Because it will face the rear, is there anything that I can get to protect DS's eyes, esp. when I'm driving away from the sun?

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[MnMadhouse]

Unfortunately, there is really nothing, beside tint on your window OR one of the sticker shades (not the ones with the suction cup, but an actual sheet of sticker window tint).