Car seat for 2-7yrs??

Instead of getting a new car seat for the baby we're going to get a new one for DD hopefully that she can stay in from now until she's 7 (it's 7 they have to be in them til isn't it?).

Anyways, I have NO IDEA about car seats and what's good and what isn't. So is there one that I can get that will be good for her now and also last her until she's out of a car seat??

Any recommendations would be great!! And where to get it from too.

Thanks lovely ladies :D

We got a Maxirider, goes to 18kg with the harness and 26kg as a booster seat (you can also add a different harness). It also has cup holders, which DS is quite pleased with. And there's a little pouch at the back for stowing unused straps, where he puts his hammer.

Yep, we have the MaxiRider as well for DD2. We would have one for DD1 as well, but we couldn't fit 2 in with bub as well in our car, so DD1 is in a slimmer seat designed for 4-7yrs.

We have a MaxiRider too, but I'd recommend the AHR model as it can grow with your child. We bought our just as they were starting to bring them out and the store staff didn't really know much about them, and we've only just realised that what we asked for isn't what we got sadly.
The only probs with them is that they are the most exxie and they are very wide. Kmart and BigW sell a similar seat that has the same features but is much narrower.

I have an Infa Comfy Cruiser and I think it's fantastic! Nice and slim, but very safe ( and a few dollars cheaper than that maxi riders, but apparently safer :) )



(hahaha I shouldn't say that.. I'll get Lynched!!! hahahahah)

We have the Babylove Ezi Combo Seat for DD and have put on layby 2 more for the twins. They do from 8kg's to 26kg's in weight, it has the 5 point harness for when they are smaller and then when you need it as a booster seat you can either use a harness or the normal lap/sash seat belt. They are quite inexpensive (we paid $190 each) and are not too wide so we can fit all 3 seats across the back seat of the station wagon.

We decided this was the best option for all 3 kids until they are 7, and until the twins are big enough to go into the seats we are going to hire 2 capsules.

Maxirider AHR its great no issues with it.

We got a Hipod one (MaxiRiders etc are just waaay too bog for our car and too exxy)
She loves it, you can use a harness or the regular seatbelt once they are tall enough, has the cup holders (again a novelty she loves lol) and speakers in it, so I can plug my ipod into it for her and WE can get a break form the nursery rhymes while she sings along to them happily!! lol (joy!)
It is height adjustable and will last her til she is 7 easily.

Thanks guys! So is there any actual difference in safety between these seats? I just was googling the Maxi Rider and it says it's the safest one. Is that true? They all have to meet the Australian standard anyway but are some safer than others? Or are we just paying for the brand/ extra features, etc??

I dunno Heaven. To me, they're all on par with each other with regards to safety. Like you said, they all meet the safety standards. At the time we bought our MaxiRider, that was the only one on the market.

I just bought a Infa-Secure Travale/Vario Kid today at Kmart, with a matching Infa-Secure Harness as well. DS is only 21 months at the moment, and skinny but quite tall, and he fit in this one really nicely. The head rest raises as they get older, and it is all bolted in the as well, and comes with extension straps etc.


It says on the box that it was rated as No.1 in the Child Restraint (C.R.E.P) Testing and received 4 stars. The seat was $129 and the Harness was $49 in Kmart. My 7 yr old DD just sat in it, and she fit perfectly as well as said it was really comfy :) (Kmart did have a cheaper Infa Secure that looked almost the same except the headrest stayed at one height, and it was slightly wider, so not suitable for DS)

Hope that helps! I am really happy with it.

We have the maxi rider ahr as well. Works great. DS loves it.

So, if I buy one from Kmart, they're still good? I don't have to go to a specialty store?

What price range do i expect ?

Do they come with seat belts, or do I have to get something?

DS will be 4 in August and is 15kg. Will he be able to go in one in March (when bub arrives?)

Mine came from Kmart Scone! (I think we posted at the same time, my post is above with prices!) and I have bought all my car seats there. They often have the same range as our local baby store, but loads cheaper! The one I bought is for 14kg to 26kg

sconeonamission - if you want your ds in a booster seat that's for 4yrs+, then you'll have to wait until August. You'll need to look for something that if from 2yrs-7yrs (Maxi Rider, a few of the Infa Secure brands to name a couple). Shop around, KMart will have some, speciality stores will have others. Check out the Infa Secure & Safe n Sound websites and then see where their stockists are to save time looking in the shops. As for price range, anything from probably $120-$400.

Scone, DD went into hers at 2 because she had already outgrown the convertable seat, but ours came with the 5point harness which they can use until 18-20kgs I think.

We have a safe and sound maxi rider. Its perfect! Plus it will be fine to use for ages :) I only like safe and sound dont know why cause I know they all go through the tests? Maybe its just good marketing :P