Infant car seat recommendations for 1998 VW Beetle

[ukchick]

Hi there,

Can anyone recommend a great, safe infant car seat to fit in my 2-door 98 Beetle? It does not have the LATCH system as it is too old a model.
I was looking at the Graco Snugride.
Also, where should I take it to have seat installed - dealer or elsewhere?

Thanks!

[DebbieJ]

I know there is a database somewhere where you can check compatible seats. The Snugride is generally well liked and fits in most cars.

Try installing the seat yourself. You may be surprised at how easy it really is. Ask for advice here adn you'll be fine. Otherwise, I know many VW dealers do have car seat techs or you can check your local police or fire station. Where do you live? We can point you in the right direction.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[Joolsplus2]

Nope, I'm not going to agree with the Snugride... It has a closed belt path and would almost certainly require a locking clip to keep from tipping sideways from your shoulderbelt pulling it up. Avoid it like the plague :).
The Graco Safe Seat 1, Chicco Key Fit, Combi Connection, or Combi Centre (any model, there are a couple), all have either built in locking clips or the Connection has a backwards belt path that the shoulderbelt won't tug up on and tip the seat sideways. Also, you can (or have to, in the case of the Combis) leave the handles up on these seats while driving, which scores a few more inches of front leg room for the front seat passengers (though it'll still be cramped...that's the nature of the Beetle).
www.carseatdata.org has the compatibility chart, though I doubt you'll have real problems with any seat, and www.seatcheck.org should help you find a tech, though honestly, it's going to be super easy as long as you read the manual and ask us any questions you have about how the seat should fit, and how the harness should look on the baby, that sort of thing... once you get some practice you'll be a pro ;).

Now...as for a stroller to fit in your trunk? Ack... Maclaren Traveller? Combi Cosmo? Quinny Zapp? That's a toughie, lol.


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[joana1n]

As for a stroller to fit in the trunk of a New Beetle - the Combi Metro Life Cosmo fits beautifully. I tried all of the Graco strollers and even the simple fold-up frame didn't work!

[Joolsplus2]

Good to know! Thanks for chiming in :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[ukchick]

>Good to know! Thanks for chiming in :)
>Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
>http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

We recently had lower anchors fitted by our VW dealer into our 98 Beetle. As we are going to also be buying a BOB jogging stroller (with car seat adapter), is the Graco Safe Seat the best option?

(I believe that with the BOB adapter works with the Graco Snugfit, Graco Safe Seat and then the Peg seats)

Thanks for any input/feedback :)

[Joolsplus2]

The safe seat 1 is great...it might take up more front-to-back space than the Snugride...depends on how much you use the front passenger seat and have the baby in the back seat at the same time.
I don't think you can get the BOB into your car, so there's no reason to get the adapters (you'd NOT use the carseat with the BOB if you are walking right from your house, you'd only put the carseat on the stroller for short little errands out of the car... so maybe you might want a combi connection or combi centre dx and the combi stroller that comes with it that will fit in your trunk?) or the snugrider or maclaren traveller to put in your trunk to go with the safeseat 1 or snugride.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[ukchick]

Well, we live in the city so we walk everywhere and hardly ever use the car - so we are needing a sturdy stroller. We were thinking of the BOB as both my hubby and I are avid runners (well, just him right now!!)and we thought this one would double as an day-to-day stroller and a jogging stroller later on.
Any advice?
Thanks!

[bubbaray]

You could try searching on the stroller forum, there's lots of info about jogging and swivel wheel strollers there.

Of the jogging/all terrain strollers out there, the BOB has one of the smallest folds, so for your trunk that's one of the few options I'd recommend. Still not sure if it would fit IRL.


Melissa

http://b3.lilypie.com/rppJm7/.png[/img][/url]

http://bd.lilypie.com/SasRm7.png

[ukchick]

Thank you all for your helpful advice and comments :)