Will a Safe n Sound Platinum AHR fit in our hatchback?

[gonna_be_dad]

We just paid for a SnS Platinum AHR car seat (as well as some other purchases as they gave us a great discount) at Babies Galore.

After we got home, we are wondering if the seat would fit in our car as the question never came up when we where down at the shop. And we assumed all car seats would fit in all cars...

We have a Toyota Corolla Conquest hatchback '06.

Also has anyone got a good contact for a car seat installer in the North Sydney area who we could contact?

Many Thanks.

[butterfly_warrior]

I think you'll be fine in forward-facing mode, but rearward facing mode will be tricky.

We have the SnS meridian and if my memory serves correctly, the only difference between the meridian and the platinum is speakers? Anyway, it only just fits in the back of our subaru forester - part of the problem being my 6'4" husband needing the front seat back a fair way. However, I don't personally know anything about the back seat of your car, just that car seats seem to take up a huge amount of space in the back when they are rear-facing.

Good luck figuring it out!

BW

[gonna_be_dad]

Yes, that is right.. we get the speakers but will probably never use them.

I am 6'0 so need the front drivers seat back when driving. I need to get into contact with a professional installer and see what they say but one of the people we know is saying we could do a DIY install as Toyota Coroller is designed for this.

[Doing my best]

Whilst it is recommended to be professionally fitted, you can test yourself just to rest your mind.. If you follow all the instructions and you still have a finger width of space between the car seat and seat in front, all should be good when fitted..

If it helps, my mum has a yaris and the carseat fitted fine in the rearward position in that.

[Lisa]

We have the safe n sound platinum retractor in our commodore.
It does take up a fair bit of room, so I am unsure about how it would go in a hatchback.
I definitely agree with getting it checked out by a professional.
All the best (btw, the speakers are a great thing!)

[*Belle*]

We have a Mazda 3 which is similar to a Corolla and the only carseat that would fit in our car rear facing for newborns was the SNS Compaq, I got ours fitted at Royal North Shore Hospital, my hospital gave me the details when I went for our classes, if you call North Shore Private hospital maternity or even RNS hospital maternity they should be able to tell you what day the fitters are at the hospital and you can call them direct and leave a message and they will call you back when free, if you do need it fitted which they do recommend in Sydney we had to wait a week to get fitted.

Hopefully babies galore will let you switch carseats if needed? the other option you have is to keep the carseat and hire a capsule until the baby can sit up forward facing and then use the current carseat you have purchased when the baby can sit upright unsupported and weighs the appropriate weight to sit forward facing.

Hope this helps.

[Pandora]

I have a toyota corolla seca, 2003 model
we had a SnS Meridian AHR in our car with little issue, rear and forward facing.
We did have to move the front seats a little bit closer to the front than normal, but I'm 6ft tall and didnt have an issue driving with them in that position.
Technically the child restraint is not allowed to be touching either of the front seats.

[Beautitude]

We have a meridian AHR in the rear facing position in our Toyota Corolla 03 Ultima. My husdand is 6'3 and we had to put the car seat behind the passenger seat as otherwise he wouldn't be able to drive the car. It is a tight sqeeze but he can sit in the passenger seat but only for a short period of time as it is very uncomfortable. I am 5'11 and it is ok for me so it is definately do-able.

[gonna_be_dad]

I managed to get a hold of the installation manual from the Safe n Sound website which includes measurements/install instructions and will be measuring up the car in the morning.

I guess from everyone's experiences it should be okay.

Thank you very much for all the responses and reassurances.

[gonna_be_dad]

I got ours fitted at Royal North Shore Hospital, my hospital gave me the details when I went for our classes, if you call North Shore Private hospital maternity or even RNS hospital maternity

the other option you have is to keep the carseat and hire a capsule until the baby can sit up forward facing and then use the current carseat you have purchased when the baby can sit upright unsupported and weighs the appropriate weight to sit forward facing.

Thanks Belle, those are great tips.

I will give our hospital a call or check when we attend the next class.

If the SnS Platinum doesn't fit, a capsule is will be for the first few months...