1/2/3 seats and outgrowing the priorifix

[magpieC]

We need to get new car seats for DD (14months, approx 9Kg). We've currently got DS (3yrs, approx 14Kg) in Maxi-cosi priorifixes.

We were originally thinking we'd just get new priorifixes for DD but then wondered whether we'd be better getting group 1/2/3 seats for DS and moving DD into his current seat.

We've looked at the Britax Evolva and the Graco Nautilus Elite and are planning to also look at the Recaro Young Sport. We also looked at the Cybex with the impact shield but don't really like the way that works.

However a lot of comments about the 1/2/3 seats is that they're not as safe as buying a group 1 (or 2/3). Which has only got reviews of the Recaro and Cybex so I'm not sure whether this is still true.

WWYD - buy 1/2/3 seat for DS so that we're only buying one pair of new seats now and then buy DD group 2/3 in three years time (and which 1/2/3 seat), or get group 1 seats now and then have to buy DS group 2/3 in the not too distant future (and then also group 2/3 for DD later on)?

Does anyone have any idea when DS is likely to outgrow the priorifix? At a max of 18Kg then he's likely to fit in up until he's 5 but I am guessing there might be a height limit reached before then?

(I say seats because we have 2 cars and need a seat in each for nursery drop off and pick up. Daily journey involves dual carriageway)

I'd buy Group 1-2-3 seats for your DS and give his seats to DD, rather than buying 2 more Group 1 seats now. Makes more financial sense.

I think the issue with Group 1-2-3 seats is not one of safety, but one of compromise on comfort for a younger child because the seat is trying to cover such a wide age range. You never get much of a recline on a Group 1-2-3 seat, so putting a 9 month old in it (aside from the fact that rear facing for children under 4 is the safest option, so a 9 month old shouldn't really be in a forward facing seat) means that they are very upright and their head will fall forward when they sleep.

I've had the Britax Evolva in the past (pre my ERF days) and I liked it. The only slight downside is the width of the seat (very wide) and the fact that you have to recline it before you fit it in the car, and once it's in you can't adjust it without taking the whole seat out and starting again. But the recline is nothing significant anyway, I used it 'reclined' the whole time I had it because it fitted better in our car that way.

Dp had priori in his car and I had the pearl. we have swapped to the Britax isofix seat. Really pleased with them.