Advice needed - baby car seat questions (merged)

poppyscorner

Hi,

We used to have a mitsubishi pajero and when we tried our 2 car seats in the back it left a five inch gap so we had the same problem as you this was a week before the baby was due but I also have a step daughter so we had to change we got a renault espace which has plenty of room but we tried the seats in a renault scenic they fit and they fit in a mondeo and also a vauxhall astra (which belongs to my dad) two boosters and a baby seat

crispeater

thanks guys.. i had a look at the mercedes and ooooh i do like that but oh my god is that out of my price range lol

poppyscorner, the astra you tried was it the new shape one as they look quite narrow to me?

Minerva69

Hi, hope I've posted this in the right place, thought it would be better here than in the motoring section.

I'm picking up my first car next week, a 2 year old Renault Modus. My daughter is 2 and a half and I need to get a car seat for her. The car has ISOFIX mounts so I would like to get an ISOFIX seat. I was intending to get a Britax Duo Plus, this is a Group 1 seat meant to be suitable for 9-18kg. My daughter is tall for her age and I've just weighed her this morning and she weighs 16kg :shocked: So if I get the Duo Plus it isn't going to last us long and it costs nearly £150 with the top tether kit I will need to fit it.

I have been looking at the Britax Evolva 2/3 Isofit which is a Group 2/3 seat suitable for 15-36kg. It's meant to be for a 4 year old, but would it be suitable for my daughter as she's 16kg, or would it be too big for her?

sunshinegirl_3

Hi

Not an expert but just throwing in my opinion. I'm a big ISOFIX fan and have only used these seats. As far as I can tell the Evolva uses and adapts the adult 3 point seatbelt for a child whereas the Duo Plus is a 5 point harness. If she fits the weight catagory then I think it's down to personal preference as to whether you want her in a 5 point harness or are happy with her using a seatbelt.

BTW I read on the which report that there is no significant safety advantage to the Evolva having ISOFIX mountings, but it stops it rolling around the back seat when there isn't a child in it.

ChasingButterflies

Hi there,

What about the Evolva 123?

http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1068466&classificationid=1034930

At 2 1/2 your little one will need a 5 point harness.

I bought this for our lo when she was the same age - seemed to me like the bast option as it is suitable from 9 - 36kg. Later on you can take of the 5 point harness section and use regular seatbelt - although we are not a that stage yet!

Just a thought...

tieg3

Hi i used to be a carseat fitter, I agree with ChasingButterflies the Evolva 123 would be the best option for you for the same reasons

Minerva69

Thanks very much for the replies I would have liked an Isofix seat but under the circumstances I think the Evolva 123 Ultra would be a good choice, it's not the safest according to Which but it did OK in their tests.

I have seen it available online much cheaper than in a shop - would it be OK to order it online and fit it myself? I have checked the Britax web site and that says it will fit my car.

ChasingButterflies

Hi,

You will be fine to fit it yourself... I was able to do it without watching the DVD that came with it :rotfl: Just go through the quickstart guide... once you think it is fitted give the harness a good tug there should be little if any movement. If there is try removing headrest or any other obvious obstruction and try fitting again.

Although if you weren't happy you could ask Halfords or somewhere to double check - I doubt they would go as far as to ask for a receipt...

Good luck!

caleo

Minerva69 wrote: »

Thanks very much for the replies I would have liked an Isofix seat but under the circumstances I think the Evolva 123 Ultra would be a good choice, it's not the safest according to Which but it did OK in their tests.

I have seen it available online much cheaper than in a shop - would it be OK to order it online and fit it myself? I have checked the Britax web site and that says it will fit my car.

If you go to a ToysrUs or Mothercare that stock it, you can ask them to see if it fots in your car. They will check the fit for you, and you can watch how they do it. You are not under any obligation to buy, so you can still buy online. At least then you will have a better idea of the fit.

HTH

Caleo

heather38

if you are a member of tesco baby club, they sent me a voucher for nationwide auto centres to fit your car seat for free (and also to check your oil and radiator levels as well). you could ring them and see what they say.