Car seats in Small cars

jams0219 · October 2009

We had the car seat installed yesterday in our Mazda 3, and it is a TIGHT fit. Good thing I am short cause you have pull up the front seats to make the infant seat fit. We also had to put the seat in the middle of car cause of all the airbags. Does anyone have a Mazda 3, or a small car that installed there car seat? If so, was it a tight fit?

TeamRey · October 2009

One of our cars is a 2 Door civic. The car seat was a tight fit and also had to be put in the middle.

SmallandNeedy · October 2009

I was told the middle is the safest place anyway.

I have a Mazda 3 as well and am having my carseat installed this week -- i'm concerned about size because I got a Britax Marathon (aka the Mother of All Freaking Huge Car Seats) and am sure we are going to run into a problem. I'll let you know how it goes.

ellemoney:) · October 2009

Typically the middle is the safest place for the seat ?

We had a jetta when I had Layla.. it was tricky sometimes, but for the most part was fine ?

ellemoney:) · October 2009

SmallandNeedy:
I was told the middle is the safest place anyway.
I have a Mazda 3 as well and am having my carseat installed this week -- i'm concerned about size because I got a Britax Marathon (aka the Mother of All Freaking Huge Car Seats) and am sure we are going to run into a problem. I'll let you know how it goes.

You will LOVE the marathon. It is the best!!! ?

TgerLilyXx · October 2009

The car seat is a tight fit in DH's quad cab... We haven't attempted to put it in the Accord yet. I'm afraid. lol.

JinglesChic · October 2009

We have the same issue with my Bug. We're keeping it the way it is now, but DH is putting it up for sale. I love my car though but I guess it's all part of the motherhood thing Crying

cinderellabella · October 2009

We have a 4-door Saab that is kind of on the small side, we planned on putting the carseat in the middle anyway so we went as planned. It is a little on the tight side, but manageable.

SnowshoeMom · October 2009

I have an A4 and my husband drives a Toyota Tacoma with jump seats (and a car seat hookup). We purchased the the Graco Safeseat.

The carseat barely fits in the A4 for me (middle position). I have a 35" inseam so the seat goes way back so I can comfortably work the clutch. Until I adjusted the angle of the seat, I couldn't even fit my knees under the steering wheel. I am able to safely drive the car with the seat in, but I'm just more uncomfortable than usual.

I don't think I can ride in the Tacoma with the baby in the back. Maybe if I pretzel myself in the other side on the jump seat.

We are thinking we'll pick up the Graco Snugride to buy ourselves the extra 2.5 - 3" of space since the Safeseat is a tad bigger. Every inch will help!

Any thoughts on the "smallest" rear facing infant seat? This could be a LONG year until we have the baby in his front facing arrangement!

jams0219 · October 2009

The middle seat of the mazda 3 has a curved back. The officer said this car isn't ideal for any car seats. You don't get a proper fit. I guess I wasn't thinking about car seat 5 years ago when I bought the car.

JinglesChic · October 2009

SmallandNeedy:
I was told the middle is the safest place anyway.
I have a Mazda 3 as well and am having my carseat installed this week -- i'm concerned about size because I got a Britax Marathon (aka the Mother of All Freaking Huge Car Seats) and am sure we are going to run into a problem. I'll let you know how it goes.

We specifically registered for (and was given) the smaller SnugRide because it was rated for my car. But, the Bug being a 4 seater that car seat inspection website said the only place for ours is the rear passenger.

eortman · October 2009

Both my husband and I are tall and I drive a Saturn 3 door coupe, which has a very small back seat. It doesn't look like our car seat is going to fit unless we put it on the passenger side and push the seat all the way up, which means only the driver and the baby will be able to be in the car at once. Looks like we are going to be shopping for a new car sooner than planned, but it will have to work for at least the first few months.

blushingbrideoct07 · October 2009

We have a Jeep Liberty and the car seat does not fit properly in the middle so we had to put it on the passenger side of the car. ?It's a super tight fit. ?The front passenger seat would only?accommodate?someone with super shorts legs now. Not ideal at all. ?

SRose27 · October 2009

We installed the Graco snugride 32 in my Jeep Grand Cherokee and it fits in the middle but not on the sides. The passenger seat would have to be moved all the way up for that. So middle it is!

We also have the Britax Marathon for when the baby outgrows the infant seat and that too is a tight fit in the middle!

EmmieB · October 2009

We have a Honda Fit and we're getting this carseat specifically because it's compact.

https://www.combistrollers.com/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=2&selection=2&Children=0&productID=791

lv2bhapi · October 2009

Thanks for posting this. I have a Mazda 3 also and was wondering how the car seat will fit. We have the Graco Snugride and are hopefully installing it this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

MattsWifey<3 · October 2009

I drive a Mazda 3 and put my Chicco Keyfit carseat behind the passanger. Makes it a little uncomfy for that person, but I really don't drive with someone else too often. We usually take DHs Camry when we go out with the family.

Once I switched to the convertible (Britax Roundabout) we had a lot more room.

fenway2010 · October 2009

Sadly, this is the main reason that we sold my Mazda 3 this summer. Between the car seat issues, the baby paraphenalia that we will need to cart around, and our 85 pound lab that is often in the car, it just wasn't going to work. Now I drive my husband's XTerra. I loved my Mazda, though, and I miss it!

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