car seats

my dd is 14 months old and weighs 18 pounds.  She is currently in her infant car seat and we are now looking for the next stage car seat.  They seem to range anywhere between $100 and $250,  I'm so confused!  I'd appreciate any input on what brand etc works best.  There are just too many to choose from and with the prices varying so much its hard to decide which is truly appropriate and what is a scam.  Thanks in advance for any help!
Tricia

[siren of the sea]

from my experience when my son was big enough for the next stage i bought one that had the "arm" that went over the head and dropped in front of him ( hope i described that clearly) well bad choice. as he grew i would have to bend him over to get it down. lol ;poor kid. i think as long as it has a good weight limit and can grow with it you will be fine. i dont know how the laws are different in all states but in california they have to be in a booster i think now its 6 or 60 pounds. im a car seat freak. my son isnt using one anymore but i get into my sis car and get my knee in that to tighten it down. if you have any questions about if its in correctly the local police usually do free checks to make sure. if it is used with a shoulder strap seat belt it has to be used with a clip that holds it together and out of the way. hope this helps! i love that age, of course i love all the ages!!

[JDLAWSON]

I have two boys--still in car seats---my oldest is in a booster seat convertible--it went from 30 lbs to 80 lbs-it has the straps and five pont safety harness-my other son is still inthe seat with the bar that goes over his head--works for him--he needs a little in front of him to play toys with, will be 2 in Sept--convert him to the five point then that goes up to 80 lbs.  I found the ones from either Shopko, Kmart or Wal-mart to work well--I use the Graco line--very comfortable with there products.  The one I Have I believe cost around $69.00.

[Trentonsmom]

We have the Cosco Omego Elite It is a 3-1 and we love it!! It even recline's so if we take a long car ride it makes it easier for my son to sleep comfortably.

[anothergirl]

check this out:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating

[myproblem]

Graco is usually good. Evenflo is usually poor quality, and not as easy to use.

[jackiemoo]

18 lbs. I dunno if he is ready for the next level yet. You might check into that.

[Yayfourgirls]

I got my DD car seat at Christmas tree shop. It is costco Eddie Bauer Eddition with 5 point harness for 50$

[myproblem]

Everything I've ever gotten from evenflo has been poor quality (except breastmilk storage bottles). None of their stuff seems to last, or be very well thought out products. Their breast pump was awful. Their car seats, and other items with covers like that tend to just fray, tear, or fall apart. I've had eccelent luck with Graco, which is not much different in price.

[luv_babies]

Evenflo is poor quality??? Really?

[tura]

Thanks everyone for your input.  I'm thinking she is needing the larger one only because she is getting too tall for her infant seat.  I wish she would put on some weight.  Her pediatrician is monitoring her and everything else is great developementally, she's just petite like her daddy.  I thought that once they reach 20 lbs they are ready for the next level car seats.

[myproblem]

You can actualy put her in the larger seat before 20 pounds, but you are supposed to turn it backward until then. My daughter took forever to reach 20 lb. I finally had to turn her forward at 18 lb. because it was summer, and she could not get any a/c.