I'm looking for recommendation for a compact and safe toodler/booster seat for a 3 year old/32 pound child that fits nicely in the back seat of a MINI. I've also seen some that converts from the five-point safety harness to the seatbelt-positioning booster - are these any good. We're interested as our child may still be too small for the seatbelt-positioning booster.

Thank you for your time

 

Younique,

We use the Graco TurboBooster for our girls (4 and 3 both about 30 lbs). It has been rated excellent by Consumer Reports although there are a couple of seats in the same class that scored slightly better. The whole CR Car Seat review is worth reading. You can find it in various patterns at Target, Babies R Us, Toys R Us and most any store that carries car seats. We fit two in the back of our Mini convertible. Thy are very easy to take in and out of the convertible with the top down. They can be installed/removed with the top up, but it is a little more challenging.

Is a five point harness better, absolutely. The law, in California anyway, mandates that a child be restrained in a car seat with its on restraint system until they are 3 years and 30 lbs so it would be legal for your child to use the booster. However, only you as the parent can make a decision as to when your children are ready to transition to a seat belt positioning booster.

If you do go the belt positioner booster route, I can tell you that we've been very happy with the TurboBooster. We have four so that we don't need to move them around from car to car very often.

Phil

 

Are those cupholders? Sweet!

 

The Recaro Start is an awesome seat... height adjustable, uses the standard 3 point seat belt, and it has built-in speakers in the headrests.. so you can plug in that portable DVD player and enjoy your motoring...

 

I second what PJ said. We use that car seat for two of our children ages 6 & 7 both very small at btwn 35 & 40 lbs. I have had both of them in the back seat of the MINI at the same time. And the Cup holders a huge bonus

 

Absolutely, my kids love the cup-holders. Not only do they hold "No Drip" sip-pee cups perfectly, they also love to stash their treasures in them and then close them back up (yes, they are retractable ) I'm always finding dried dandelions, small plastic animals, hot wheels, etc. in the cup holders. My youngest daughter couldn't wait until she was old enough to get a seat with cup holders just like her sister.

 

Now that's an awesome feature. Do they make them in adult size? Now if it only had cup holders...

 

Actually.. they do... but you'll have to drive a late 80's Pontiac Fiero..Motor On!! (don't ask me how I know that.. not a proud moment in my brothers past)

 

I had a 1984 Fiero 2M4 SE and the stock seat headrest speakers were ok Unitll I went with an after market deck...

On a simmilar note Indiana switched its law last july. It used to be 30 pounds. Then a soccer momm rolled her SUV and her over weight 2 year old died. Now all kids have to be in booster seats reguardless of height or weight untill age 8. Stupid law. But Money talks, and the state house does not listen to reason, only $$$$

KidDiff1 is 5 years of age and well over 40 inches tall he can comfortably ride in MIB without a booster but to be legal he uses a Graco unit simmilar to the one in pjschaffer's post but without the back. KidDiff2 will soon graduate to a simmilar unit.

 

I would recommend the Recaro Start Booster seat.

He Have the Recaro child seats in stock,

The Beige color is on sale for $199 right now

All other colors $299

Thanks
Victor

 

Hey there,

I have a 3 - almost 4 yr old who LOVES riding in my MINI. I found a COMBI child seat that uses the factory seat belts - it works great! and it has a cup holder . It looks like a miniature recaro or racing bucket - with a deep head rest that wraps around his head - also has deep side bolsters - very cushy and soft. He loves going for runs in the MINI - the faster & twistier the better! The seat just holds him nice and snug. I'll try and post a photo soon.

 

For the living room...

 

Just a quick clarification on California law, your child must be in a child restraint system until they are 6 year AND 60 pounds. 27360CVC. I just wanted to clear that up so you don't get a $360 ticket.

 

Methman,

Actually it's 6 years or 60 lbs per the CHP and the state Vehicle Code 27360. I was, however, wrong about the 3 years/30 pounds thing. Seems this was only a recommendation which has now been revised to be over 40 pounds or too big for a safety seat before they recommend using a boster seat. To be clear, the California Vehicle Code only requires children under 6 or 60lbs to be in a car seat or booster seat and in the rear seat except for specific exceptions.

Phil

 

I highly recommend the Britax Parkway Booster seat:



Excellent seat. My 5 year old nephew rides in it when he comes aboard in the MINI. The headrest is adjustable, the seat is light and the fit is perfect in the back seat. The seat doesn't rock or move thanks to the deeply countured rear seat bottom.

 

I have 2 of these sitting in the back of my MINI:

Fit great, kids like them, and cost is less than $20. There is much debate about whether the backless or more traditional high-back booster seats are safer. There is one school of thought that claims the backless are safer because the child's back is against the real backseat of the car, placing the seatbelt in a better position.

 

That is what KidDiff1 has. Well a different cover but the seat is the same. KidDiff2 will be getting one soon.