Car Seat Recommendations?

My baby girl will probably outgrow her Graco snugride in a couple of months.  She is only 6 months and I was hoping that it would last until she turns 1, but that isn't going to happen.  There are sooooo many covertible car seats with different price points.  I want to make sure that we invest in a seat that is going to offer great side-impact protection and comfort for her.  It would also be nice if the seat isn't huge because one of our vehicles is kind of compact.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I am considering the Safety 1st Air Protect, Combi Corroca, and Maxi corsa.  However, I am not sold on anything yet.

Thanks!

After all my shopping around and reserach I decided to go with the Britax Marathon, and I LOVE it. Also, they just came out with a new version, so the old one is clearenced out all over the place for almost half the price! Check out Amazon, they had them and they qualify for free shipping!

Thanks!  Are you using it rear-facing?  How does it fit in your vehicle?  Do you have a sedan or an SUV?

We are using it rear face and will until he either meets the hight or weight limits for rear facing. I have a minivan (Nissan Quest) and it fits perfect, the older version is not as big (or tall) as the new one.

We got the Britax Marathon as well... not using it yet, but we were really happy with the reports. Its pretty big though, we have a chrysler 300 and it fits.

I also will be using the Britax marathon carseat. The safety reviews are outstanding on them. I have a SUV so it will fit in there.

I will be using the Britax marathon too. the new versions have more head protection and cushioning around the sides. I was playing with it in BRU yesterday and it looks big enough for a tall 4yr old so you will definitely get your moneys worth.

 I loved the Britax but it was out of my price point.  I got a Graco My Ride 65.  I LOVE it.  Alex loves it too.  It goes rear-facing up to 45lbs and forward-facing up to 65.  I found the Safety 1st Air protects to be HUGE!!  It didn't fit into my SUV.  I also have a Snugride 32.. which is a huge carrier/carseat and that fit into my SUV no problem.  So that tells you how big the Safety 1st one is.  

We have 4 britax seats (2 in each car) and love them...my 2 year old has some fancy one with a really high weight limit and I believe it converts to a booster type thing later....my other one is a compact one (roundabout?) and the marathon.  We love them all- the only issue- is that some of them don't come with neck protectors, and well both of my kids get 'cuts' into their necks without them, so we got the thinist, smallest ones possible....keeping in mind how the buck needs to come to chest level, etc.  We haven't had one problem....search the internet, you can get great deals...or BRU sometimes runs the trade this seat for another peice of baby gear and you get 20% off.  Good luck!  My daughter was out of her baby seat at like 3-4 months she just looked so uncomfortable. 

Just wanted to let you know that Britax sells the belt covers that will stop the belt issue -

http://www.britaxusa.com/store/details/parts/diplomat/black-replacement-pad-set

If you are using an after market one that was not made for the seat it may not be safe, as they can change the strap position and placement on the child.