We've been using this seat for 2 weeks now. Overall I'm pleased with it....but when you consider how inexpensive it was, I'm VERY pleased with it. I initially purchased this because it is a Consumer Reports Best Buy for convertible car seats. Our thought was that if it didn't live up to our expectations, it would work as a secondary seat for daddy's car. It's definitely not perfect. As other people have said, the padding is thin....but this could easily be complemented if you are a creative sort with a sewing machine. And for local driving, I think the thin padding is fine (I'd want to get something additional for longer trips). The chest buckle is a bit large and awkward (made of plastic) but works fine. There are two crotch buckles that function independently. Sometimes when I'm unlocking my daughter, I don't push hard enough and only release one of the two buckles. The crotch buckles are made of metal. Now that I'm getting the hang of it, the unlatching doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm using the LATCH system (the hooks). It would be a PAIN if I had to switch this car seat from car to car. We haven't tried the belt method since the LATCH system works well. If you are only getting one car seat and switching it between cars, this one could be a challenge.BUT as I first mentioned, for the price of this car seat, it is very good.