Car seat for V reg Ford Fiesta (1999/2000 model)

[Bearette]

We need a 0+/1 car seat for DS. He's 7 months and soon to be 9kg.

Ideally we want rear facing for as long as possible but so far what we've tried suffers from buckle crunch. Not adverse to use in front seat (no airbag) but would prefer back if possible.

We can't retrofit isofix (checked with garage).

Recommendations gratefully received as really hoping not to have to buy a new car!

Thanks

[JellyTipisthebest]

What seat is he in at the moment as most but not all go up to 13kg

[Bearette]

Hi jelly, he's in an izi be safe infant carrier (minus isobase, it's safe to use with belt although it's a pig with short belts) which we've borrowed. They are expecting number 2 in September so I need to get something before August so I can return the seat.

[HelicopterDad]

Have you considered the Britax First Class Plus?

It is rear facing up to 13kgs and then forwards facing up to 18kgs. You can buy them for about £100 at the moment. There are some user / installation videos here

[Bearette]

Thanks HelicopterDad, we tried the britax first class plus at kiddicare but had buckle crunch issues. The britax 2-way elite has been recommended but haven't tried, anyone have any experience?

[stargirl1701]

We had to sell a W reg Vauxhall Vectra because we couldn't find a car seat that would fit. I spoke to the In Car Safety Centre in Milton Keynes and they did find us an import from Portugual but it cost the same as the entire car!

We ended up buying a 05 plate Ford Focus and retro fitting ISOFIX. We bought a ERF Cybex Sirona for DD.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[CokeFan]

We have a Y reg focus and a Britax 2 way elite. We can't put it in the back seat without making the front seat completely unusable (too far forward).

[Bearette]

Thanks all, I'm hoping to try out a 2 way elite as the only possible option, I suppose we might end up with an adult in the back seat if the front is unusable. Car won't last forever but building works means this isn't the time to buy a new one.....

[MegMogAndOwl]

I have a w reg fiesta with the stupid short seat belts. I had problems getting a group 0/1 seat too. I can tell you what doesn't fit!

Britax 1st class ( I know you've tried that)
Maxi cosi opal
Joie tilt
Any of the horrible cheap ones (I was getting desperate )

I didn't try the joie stages as the store didn't have one in stock.

I went with the kiddy guardian pro in the end which is forward facing with the impact cushion. DD was 20 months though.

[MegMogAndOwl]

Oh and I meant to say that we had to rule out the two way elite because of the front seat issue. Dp is tall and we already have ds in the back.

Have you looked at the klippan triofix I didn't try it in my car but the seat belt doesn't go around the back of the seat like the 1st class plus etc so it might be an option.

[crashbangboom]

Firstly hes fine in infant carrier til 13kg or head over tog.

I would get a two way elite. Rearfacing it has two installs so likely buckl crunch can be avoided. Uses little belt and will probably fit future cars too!

[JellyTipisthebest]

Have you tried the britax maxway, it doesnt look like it uses much belt.

[BertieBotts]

You know you can keep them in the infant seat until they are 13kg, or their head reaches the top? 9kg is just a minimum for turning them forwards. It's likely he'll fit into the infant seat until 15 or 18 months at least. That's what I did in the same car (XP used to have one).

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I have a Two Way Elite. If you are Newcastle region id be happy to let you try it in your car

[smable]

I have a 2003 fiesta it's the next generation on from yours but if it helps I've got a britax maxway