With 2 boys under 3, I scrolled through the internet in terms of options for car seats and ended up buying a few of them. I thought I would put my finding and experience on here:
Halford Group 1-2-3 (which is the most mentioned online for the 996), cheap, fits well however IMO really not the safest in terms of padding etc and not super tight once strapped in with the seat belt. You get what you pay for I suppose but a great cheap option for the occasional ride.
BeSafe iZi Comfort X3 Car Seat, it fits relatively well in the back seat, but it's bulky due to its plastic base, a paint to get in and out of the car without scratching something. The back of the seat is also made of plastic and puts a dent in the back rest which is not ideal (I had to put an old towel behind to not damage/dent the leather). On the plus side, the seat is extreme good quality, it feels really safe with lots of padding and side impact protection, different adjustment, very well thought with magnet for the straps to keep them away, multiple recline options. It is securely tighten, does not wobble like the Halford. And all that is reflected by it's price which is multiple of the Halford. All in all a very good car seat if you don't have the need to move in and out and want the best for your kid and don't mind the cost. I managed to get ours new on ebay for not a lot of money but they don't come up as often.
Britax Romer EVOLVA 123. This is my favourite as it is right in between the options above in terms of fit, 'safety' and price! It's great quality, seat well in the back seat, it's very well padded and feel really safe and it is not as bulky as the Besafe making it easier to move it in and out (although for that the halford wins hands down due to its very slim and minimalistic design). This car seat comes in 2 versions, one with the side protection (more expensive) and one without the side impact protection which can be found fairly easily on ebay between £70-100. Got a new one for £75.
Here is a pic of my boys. On the right it's the Halford 1/2/3 and on the right the Britax. I got fed up moving the Besafe one in and out so leaving that one in my wife car now.
Halford Group 1-2-3 (which is the most mentioned online for the 996), cheap, fits well however IMO really not the safest in terms of padding etc and not super tight once strapped in with the seat belt. You get what you pay for I suppose but a great cheap option for the occasional ride.
BeSafe iZi Comfort X3 Car Seat, it fits relatively well in the back seat, but it's bulky due to its plastic base, a paint to get in and out of the car without scratching something. The back of the seat is also made of plastic and puts a dent in the back rest which is not ideal (I had to put an old towel behind to not damage/dent the leather). On the plus side, the seat is extreme good quality, it feels really safe with lots of padding and side impact protection, different adjustment, very well thought with magnet for the straps to keep them away, multiple recline options. It is securely tighten, does not wobble like the Halford. And all that is reflected by it's price which is multiple of the Halford. All in all a very good car seat if you don't have the need to move in and out and want the best for your kid and don't mind the cost. I managed to get ours new on ebay for not a lot of money but they don't come up as often.
Britax Romer EVOLVA 123. This is my favourite as it is right in between the options above in terms of fit, 'safety' and price! It's great quality, seat well in the back seat, it's very well padded and feel really safe and it is not as bulky as the Besafe making it easier to move it in and out (although for that the halford wins hands down due to its very slim and minimalistic design). This car seat comes in 2 versions, one with the side protection (more expensive) and one without the side impact protection which can be found fairly easily on ebay between £70-100. Got a new one for £75.
Here is a pic of my boys. On the right it's the Halford 1/2/3 and on the right the Britax. I got fed up moving the Besafe one in and out so leaving that one in my wife car now.
