CAR SEATS

Anyone has any idea baout what car seat is best, my son is outgrowing his Chicco and we are going to have to buy something bigger soon.  I have been researching and there is so much info out there about car seats that it can drive one crazy. Any ideas of what to buy, I will definitly will like to buy something that can last for a while, like a convertible that can be switched to booster later on. I hate having to spend lots of money in a car seat that later I will have to change again.
We drive  a small vehicle for doors so I need to take this in consideration.
Some online suggestions are: Evenflo Symphony 65
                                              Britax Boulevard, Advocate or Marathon,
                                              Evenflo Tiumph Advance.

Post which one you like to buy or are currently using even if is not any of the about, why and features of car seat.

[30something13]

I heard those all got poor reviews as far as saftey and ease of use. I researched and found the First Years Tru Fit to be the best and the top of the back come off for when they face rear. THere is no rethreading the straps for when the baby gets bigger and it goes from 5-65lbs! Learning curves has the info on it and you can read other comments on it from BAbies R Us and Wlamart etc.. It is $159 at walmart but $30 more at  Babies R Us too. I have been looking for the premire the new model but can't find it in stores. It ahs a bar that sticksup for rear facing and something for forwards facing that is new too. If you typre in the car seat name the learning curves sites comes up. I am pregnant with #5 and my youngest is 10 so it has been a while since I bought one. I used to use century and First Years was then low on the list of qualitiy but now they are good from everything I ahve read and heard. Consumer reports has reviews but never says why they give things a low rating. It can be the user, the car or anything. If you go to the Nation transportation something ( they ahve it on the learning curves site also, a link) It tells more about each car seat, forward and rear facing for convertables. Very informative. I gues the True Fit ahs been the top care seat as far as saftey and ease of use for the last two years and I would nto doubt this upcomign year also.

[hkenny]

WE have a britax advocate and love it, it fits easlily in our truck, suv and my moms small car. It looks huge but fits just fine. I like the click system on it, not for myself but my husband and mom that way I know she is getting buckle in tight enough. According to my husband its really easy to install and has nice features...like the strap adjustment is a knob so you dont have to re-tether the straps. I find my dd loves the saeat, no more fussing now, I think she can see out the window! LOL>
the advocate can go forward or rear facing and is goo till 69 pounds, its pricey but in our opinion worth it since she will be in it for 5 years!
We did allot of research and wanted a recaro but they are not approved for use in canada, if you are in the states I would look at the advocate and the recaro.
I know evenflo wasnt rated very high in my research.

[Helen72]

We use Britax Boulvard and love it.  It provides side to side protection and is comfy for sleeping in the car unlike our old infant carrier.

[Cycl3Chick]

britax is rated one of the best, I dont know where the other poster got the info, but they have always been one of the top from what I have read.

[connorethansmom]

I second Cycl3Chick - you really can't go wrong with a Britax.  The biggest issue I have come to (I have two kids and have gone through SIX carseats), is that the ones that have the 40-50 pound weight limit will not last until 40-50 pounds.  The strap on the them is too short for them to fit, or they are too tall for them.  SO, after spending WAY too much money on them, I have fell in love with the Sunshine Kids carseats.  They go to 65-80 pounds, have a HUGE pull string so they WILL fit in it longer.  My son is 4 and 35 pounds and doesn't fit in the other two convertable carseats we first bought for him.  The Sunshine Kids will keep him in a 5 point harness for a very long time.  

Number 3 is on the way and we will be getting another Sunshine Kids, when the time comes.

[avaortega407]

Britax  is the best in my opinion my daughter has had hers from age 1 - 4 we just moved her to a booster seat but the Britax lasted 4 years and is still in great shape plus very comfortable and really safe. If the $200 - $300 seems a bit pricey try getting a used one on craigslist you can usually find one in good shape on there.

[lilcountrybabe]

the cheapest baby careat at walmart is the best yep its cheap only 40$ but its alot safer than the others and its easy to take apart we have one for our little ones it works verry well