I purchased the Britax Marathon 65 Car Seat when my son was 5 months old! I had done a lot of research when looking for a second stage seat and Britax was clearly the best choice for me! First of all, from all the reviews I read before purchasing the seat it was clear that Britax is one of the safest car seats out there! The seat has Side Impact Protection (energy absorbing foam) which helps to protect your child in the event of an accident, is usable from 5-65 pounds, and had the HUGS system for the straps which helps contain your child from moving during a crash. The cost of the seat was a lot more compared to many seats out there, however, how can you put a price on safety for your child? It was worth every penny. The seat is well made and the crocodile pattern repels stains well. The seat is generally easy to install using the LATCH system and the straps tighten well, EXCEPT, when my son is wearing a snow suit it is a bit more difficult to get the straps tight enough. I would consider this seat to be sturdy, and always feel my son is safe while in it! I highly recommend this seat, have recommended it to friends, and will be purchasing a second seat in a few months for my second child.