Car seat for hatchback

[alisa7]

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend to me a particular baby seat which can be used in a 2004 Hyundai Accent? My little hatch is the only car between DH and I and we're not really in the position to be buying a new car, so I really hope someone can help me out!!!
Cheers,
Alisa

[samsausage]

Hiya,

When DS was born I had a 3dr Toyota Echo hatch, we used a Safe and Sound Compaq. The only drawback was that the strap had to go across the boot (very small to start with in the Echo so I would often have to undo the strap to get things in.

Having said that I made do no probs for 18months. You might be able to ceiling mount the attachment bolt to get around this.

Good Luck :)

[missie_mack]

As long as this is the only one in the backseat normally you can really buy any seat, the main prob with hatchbacks like Sam said is the connection point

[LittleBug'sMum]

I also have quite a small car, and someone recommended that for the first 6 months you can hire a capsule type car seat from the Ambulance service or KidSafe (I think) - in Queensland at least. It's only about $60 for the whole 6 months, and they are really small. Then you can just get a smaller car seat that the child can sit up in. My DH ended up buying quite a bulky one that you can use from birth, on sale at Target (apparently was such a bargain he couldn't resist) and luckily it just fits into our car!:)

[OneCheekyMonkey]

I managed to squish my phil and ted pram and my mothers choice (uh not sure which model) in my mothers 3 door Barina last week.

The main problem like someone said was the connection point at the very back of the car, it was a PITA to get the pram in and out.

My carseat is quite a large one, the only issue was the front passenger seat had to sit quite far forward so that the back of the seat didn't rest against the back of the carseat. I second getting a capsule for the first months and then going straight to a seat that is forward facing (plus you can get a car seat that goes from 8kg-26kg rather than the reversible ones that just go to 18).

Otherwise go to the local babyshop and they will usually let you try different carseat models out in your car.

[TripleTime]

Only issue with some car seats in hatch backs is if the back seat folds down the strap that goes to the anchor point can slip between the split in the seats. I know the car seats i have (Mother's Choice - slim rider design, cant remeber the real name) arent recomended for hatch backs.

[sparksgirl]

We were advised to get the Safe n Sound compaq model as it is the only one that really fits into a small car. I have a Golf.

[Lipsmacker01]

I have an excel and currently use a safe n sound retractor deluxe I think? It was the top of the range when I got it. Yes thats the issue you have to face unfortunately with hatchbacks, the anchor point being in a funny spot so you have a big strap that gets in the way esp if u want to put in a big 3 wheeler pram. To be honest I dont think that that strap is really meant to be undone and put back on at a regular basis even if u had to use it often as its meant to be tight.

What I strongly recommend is you get yourself a baby carrier such as an ergo that way you dont have to worry about packing a pram as often and saves your back too. Ive also invested in a quinny zapp pram for $350. Weighs next to nothing and packs so its really compact.

I dont think hatchbacks are designed to have more than one anchor point so you would probably be having to use a booster seat for an older child (if u have more than one) a lot sooner than you would really need to which is another thing they dont really recommend. I guess thats why so many people get larger family cars but then Ive heard u can put extra anchor points in certain cars too.

[lauren2008]

I used to have a little Daewoo Lanos and our Safe n Sound Meridian AHR seat fit in fine! I now have a 2007 Lancer and the seat fits in fine in this car too!!

[Lipsmacker01]

I dont think you will have an issue fitting one car seat into the accent, its more of the issue of trying to fit two!

[alisa7]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! You have been a huge help!!!
As for needing to fit 2....well, I think I'll wait a fair few years before I have another!

[mytwoangelsC&A]

I have a corolla hatch and i have 2 car seats withi 5 week old and 1 11month old children. I have the safe and sound comaq deluxe which is a car seat made for smaller cars. they do from birth to 18kilo which i think is the same as most car seats. They are great and there is still a little room in the middle back seat of my car. The lady at the shop said that safe and sound is the best car seats on the market but i suppose that all seats sold need to meet with Aust standards

[hakuna matata]

I have heard the safe and sound unity capsules are good... Does anyone know?

:)

[Lilahh]

I have a small hatchback car too, Ford Fiesta. We bought a Safe N Sound Compaq, the front seat is quite vertical, but it all fits in. :thumbsup:

[Amara]

I have a Zuzu model that was made for compact cars. It came from Big W & was around $100 on special. It fit in a 3 door Barina. Word of warning though, that car lasted exactly 1 week after giving birth as I got sick of struggling getting him in and out of the car & I absolutely loved my Barina. The other issue with a small car of course is that most prams wont fit in the boot and if they do you have no room for anything else.

[alisa7]

Yes, I was concerned about the boot/pram situation too. Fortunately, was given a hand me down which is really small and also bought a jogger from the markets for $25 (both in top condition) and they both fit really easily in my hatch, with room to spare! So it solved my 'do I get a new car' problem and just need a seat now!

[sarah84]

Hi Everyone, :wave:
I have a 2001 Holden vectra hatch, just wondering if anyone else has one and installed a baby capsule/car seat? Not sure if its in every car but my ancor bolt is right down the back of the boot making it impossible to put anything in the boot when a car seat is in situ. Does anyone know if this can be re-located to a diff position? Thanks :D

[TripleTime]

Hi Everyone, :wave:
I have a 2001 Holden vectra hatch, just wondering if anyone else has one and installed a baby capsule/car seat? Not sure if its in every car but my ancor bolt is right down the back of the boot making it impossible to put anything in the boot when a car seat is in situ. Does anyone know if this can be re-located to a diff position? Thanks :D


Its not a problem, either slide the pram from which ever side the seat isnt on or undo the seat anchor point. I personally wouldnt move an anchor point, maybe hard pressed to find someone who will.

[RiffRaffMama]

Auto clubs like the RACV and NRMA usually do baby seat installation inspections. If you call and ask you can find out where to go. They will also be able to tell you if and where a new or extra anchor point can be installed. My old car didn't have one at all so one had to be drilled, so it is possible to relocate if necessary.

[Oreo]

I can fit a normal sized car seat in the back of my car (bmw 318is, so a German 2 door sports coupe, very small lol) so I have a feeling a normal one would fit in your hatch? I think the only problem might be getting the baby in and out while it's still rearfacing. (I plan on stealing either my dads or FOBs car during that time lol).