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i've hired a car capsule that is due back next month, so have to think about car seats. i have a subaru liberty and the back seat isn't the most roomiest, so i've been looking at the compact deluxe. i was also thinking of the meridian and it looks far more roomier for the child than the deluxe. does anyone with the deluxe have any problems with the size especially as the child gets bigger, i think up to 18kgs.
also what would you recommend, the retractable or manual.
I am hoping to buy a compaq delux for my lancer (just need to double check a few things first) These are actually designed for smaller back seats so if space is an issue thats what I would suggest as the other is quite big in comparison.
Have you gone to a baby shop and asked them to try the seats in your car? this could really help make your mind up.
best of luck
Nae x
thanks nae, i was going to do that today, see if i could try out a cpl of car seats in the car. hopefully the shop does this.
Both of the baby shops near us let you try seats in your car to see what fits, we thought we would have to get a compaq but it turned out we could just fit a normal carseat
We actually have both seats, the Meridian in=s the main seat and in the back centre of my car, I have a BMW 118i, which has a very small back seat, I have put it on the side as well, when we have needed two seats int he car, and the seat has to go quite a bit further forawrd for it to fit.
The Compaq deluxe is smaller, but no where near as comfy, I like the additional padding and support of the Meridian.
I know that my Meridian is reverseable to 12kg, but the CD is only until 9kg, but i think the newer version does go to 12 kg. We are keeping DD in reservse as long as possible, but we have had to turn the CD, but then again she is only in it once a week or so.
I think they are a lot safer in the centre, so even with a smaller car you have more room IYKWIM.
I would also take you car to a store and see if then can pop each on in so you can try.
HTH
I was advised against the retractable because if they have bulky clothing it could adjust it false. the shop near me refuses to sell the retractable because they've had to get too many fixed/exchanged and it's a huge PITA for them.:
Ours is retractable & we've had no problems. We got it before DD was born
was just what I was told. Might have something to do with the iron ore dust.:
We went with the Safe n Sound Meridian. The lady at the store recommended the manual as you have more control over the fit, so that is what we went for.
We have Suburu Forrester and there was no way the Meridian was going to fit - well it barely did but DH was kissing the dash while driving! We went for the Premier (S & S) which is great.
I have the Safe and Sound Platinum AHR I brought it last pregnancy so it's still in the box hoping I can take it out this time.. We have a landcruiser so it should fit I never thought to check :wall:
Same here. I did LOADS of research before we made our decision too and there was quite a lot of bad feedback online about the rectractable one. So many people said the straps often get twisted (inside/around the back of the car seat so they had to remove it to untwist the straps - PITA!) and many parents had returned their retractable seats and swapped them for manuals. Most of the baby shops told us that too. The manuals are simple to adjust and they are cheaper too ;):
PS: our Meredian AHR is in the middle of my Mazda 3 sedan and it fits fine. DH is almost 6ft and he still fits in the front passenger seat without a problem. I just had it professionally installed today and was pleasantly surprised by how well it all fits.