Hi D., this is a difficult but searious decision to make.. You can't gamble with the life of your child. I know it's hard to swallow the $269, but you will feel much better once you do it. I too did alot of research before I purchased the Regent. It was so hard to pay the money but we are very happy with the product and feel much safer with our son in it. Some one I know calls it a barca lounger :) it's so big. If you want to see one in person you can see them at Babies R Us, they only sell the tan color. If you want the black/gray one you will need to purchase it on line. They don't generally charge shipping when you purchase one on line. TinyRide.com guarantees to have them in stock. Here is some information that may help you decide on a five point harness, just in case you havenn't come across this in your research. U Tube video talking about the dangers of booster seats.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
Here is one regarding turning your baby to face forward after the age of one, just in case you are going to have a second child.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo&mode=relat...=
Good website to mark to check on car seat safety info.
http://www.car-safety.org/basics.html
One last thing, if you purchase the Britax Regent and I hope you do, it will help to remove the headreast in your seat before installing, both myself and a friend realized it was much easier to install if we removed them. Also, the most difficult part of the installation to me was the seat belt, not the latch system. That is very easy in my opinon.
Good luck!!