Britax is a Beauty!

Gotta be honest here: The real reason I first considered a Britax is because everyone else had one. I mean, I would go to the park and all of the other kids in out play group had one. I would meet other moms at the mall, and their children all had them. Then I did some research, and came to the realization that the reason they all had them is because these car seats ROCK!

Describe your experience using this product.
I ordered our Ashley Marathon online to avoid paying taxes (I also got free shipping). As soon as the UPS truck arrived, I tore that box open! I was more than a little excited. I read the instruction manual page by page, and was a little overwhelmed at first. There are seemingly so many straps and widgets. I took it out to my Jeep Cherokee (I mention what type of car I have so that you know that it will fit in a similar sized car or SUV). and began installation. My car is a 2000, so it was made prior to the latch system (which Britax is made for as well. It comes able to be installed both with and without the latches). I reclined the seat, removed the bottom portion of the seat cover so I could see the seat belt, threaded the seatbelt through the openings, buckled it in, tightened the belt, and snapped the belt covers over the seatbelt and was finished! That was it! You basically thread the belt through and are done. It was a nice, snug fit. The car seat felt secure and looked great in my car! I could hardly wait to go show off at the park!

Why did you buy this product?
I bought this product for several reasons, in no particular order:
1. My daughter was growing out of her infant seat and I wanted one that would last.
2. I wanted a convertible seat that would go from rear to front facing.
3. I didn't want to have to replace this seat again when she was 40 pounds, but wanted one that she could use until 65 pounds or so.
4. Wanted the safest possible seat money could buy.
5. I wanted it to look great in my car and make my sister in law jealous (just kidding. sort of.).
Britax fit the bill on all of the above items. I am amazed that someone would spend money on something that they would need to replace sooner than later. Why buy a car seat that only goes up to 40 pounds when this Marathon lasts up to 65? I also read Consumer Reports before buying and it is listed as the safest model. That made me feel great about this purchase.

What do you love about this product?
I love almost everything about this car seat. I love my feeling of safety, first and foremost. I also love that my daughter happily gets into it without crying or carrying on (and this is a child who was not a big fan of the car!). She seems so content and comfortable in it. The seat cover is plush and soft and very thickly padded. I love that is easy to move and install (I takes me less than 1 minute to do) as well as sturdy and secure. I also really appreciate that the buckles are easy to work and the belly pad keeps my daughter from burning her skin on the metal buckles.

What do you hate?
I do not like the fact (although I am used to it now after using the car seat for about a month now) that when I buckle my daughter in the car seat, the buckles do not make a clicking sound. I was used to that sound with my infant seat to tell me that I had correctly installed her in the seat. They snap in easily, and are secure, but do not make the sound to tell you that. I asked several others mothers that have the same car seat, and their buckles do not sound either. Also, the seat is not machine washable, so I suggest purchasing an additional seat cover. This has not come up for me as a problem, but I could see that it could be if your child eat or drinks in the car or has explosive diapers.

To sum this all up, the car seat is an expensive purchase. BUT- it is used daily and holds my most precious cargo. I take pride in the fact that I am giving her the safest seat possible. It is well worth the money in easy of use, comfort, safety, and durability. While the seat cover my not be washed in the machine and the buckles do not click for you, the car seat is a wonderful investment that we have come to love.

Cool features:
belly pad that prevents children from burning their groin and leg area from hot buckles

velcro on the sides of the seat cover to hold the straps aside while you load the child into the seat

latch system for a secure fit into your car

plush fabrics for a comfrotable ride

seat belt closure system for keeping the belt securely in place

Here are some other details from the manufacturer:
The legendary Britax Marathon™ convertible car seat is renowned for safety, comfort, and convenience.

Rear Facing:
5 lbs. to 33 lbs.
Forward Facing:
1 year old and up / up to 65 lbs.

The Marathon is also one of many Britax products renowned for its ability to keep your child in a harnessed restraint up to 65 pounds.

Unique features including a patent-pending rip-stitch tether - reduces G-force effects on the head and body in the event of an impact, a sculpted base, push button release LATCH system with patented Versa-Tether®, and built-in vehicle belt lock-offs, make a tight installation in your vehicle quick and simple. The tangle-free polyester 5-point harness helps to effortlessly secure your child every day. The Marathon™ also offers a patented HUGS™ system, belly pad, and a plush & washable seat cover for that ultimate comfort experience for children rear-facing from 5 to 33 pounds or children forward-facing from 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds.