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Car seats

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Original poster

Rear facing seat for Ford Focus

12 replies

ComfortablyDumb · 03/12/2011 16:06

We've just returned from a fruitless attempt to get a carseat in Mothercare. They had Maxi-Cosi Opal which wouldn't fit at all, so we opted for the Britax First Class Plus, which is supposed to fit, but wasn't secure enough when fitted. Any suggestions?

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mybootsaremuddy · 03/12/2011 17:11

What age/weight is your DC? Also what year is your Focus?(i think the older ones have slightly longer seat belt buckles so buckle crunch can be a problem.)

mybootsaremuddy · 03/12/2011 17:18

Or try giving these guys a ring.
They were realy helpfull to us when trying to find a combo of seats to fit our nannys car. They have prob fitted seats in the same make/model car of yours and be able to advise what the best options would be for you.

Original poster

ComfortablyDumb · 03/12/2011 17:30

Thanks for speedy response. DC is 9mo & 20+lb, Focus is 07. Sorry, should have realised that info would probably be useful Will give them a ring. Foolishly thought we'd be able to sort it out in a simple shopping trip.

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mybootsaremuddy · 03/12/2011 18:13

In that case i'd definately give them a ring they are the best for ERF and have quite a good choice. Somthing like the Two way Elite is ment to be good at fitting a wide range of cars. It also goes all the way from 9-25kg both rf and ff so could do your dc up untill about 6yrs! Friends of ours have this seat and it looks quite good. We are hoping to get it when ds2 is heavy enough (19mths but teeny tiny).
Have a look on the site i linked you to that way you can see what they have and get an idea of what you would idealy like best.

PeppaPigHostage · 04/12/2011 22:09

I've had both a Brio Zento and a Britax Two Way Elite in my sisters Ford Focus, I think hers is an 08 plate. HTH

JoyceDivision · 04/12/2011 22:11

dh has a focus and we used britax first class si that you can use from birth to 4yrs and it was fine

But as for saabs.. of dear lord, what a royal PITA!

dreamfeeder · 04/12/2011 22:16

I like our BeSafe iZi combi in our 2006 Ford Focus. We had the adaptor kit fitted so could go for isofix, but it does cut down passenger seat space a lot. I'm 5'4", and still feel a little squashed... She is on the most reclined setting, but even if she wasn't it wouldn't make that much difference.

We also have the Britax Two Way Elite, bought as a RF for my mum's husband's Ford Fiesta (2009) and my dad's enormous Chrysler 300 D, but it doesn't give her the view or legroom of the BeSafe. still a good option though.

I live in the NW but bought my TWE through the In Car Safety cantre in Milton Keynes, who were great and really knowledgable- more so than the shop I bought my BeSafe in in Wigan!!!

Original poster

ComfortablyDumb · 05/12/2011 20:34

Thanks everyone...is the Britax Two Way Elite only sold via a few retailers - I've found rave reviews, but not much in the way of sourcing it. Couldn't even find it on the Britax website - but I might have to blame lack of sleep for that

Joyce we bought a First Class, but had to return it as the sales assistant was unable to fit it securely, but based on your experience maybe it was a fault with the assistant rather than a fault with the seat Although based on dreamfeeders info about legroom maybe not suitable for us anyway as she is very long. Gaaaah

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dreamfeeder · 05/12/2011 21:16

No comfortablydumb, you are not going mad!! It is sold by only one UK retailer as far as I know- which is the milton keynes In Car Safety Centre place. Britax only sell the Multi-Tech as a group 1 rear facer in the UK- apparently there isn't a UK market for rear facers as British buyers are more interested in turning their children round and getting pretty coloured seats . The In Car Safety Centre import it, so send you the seat with the Euopean instructions, and translated instructions! Full fitting videos on their website, for front passneger sseat fitting, rear seat fitting and extended legroom fitting.

You can pull out a bit to give extra legroom with the Two Way Elite, but then it doesn't recline the same. My DH is 6'4", and DD is relatively tall for her age (14, nearly 15 months) and has loads of legroom currently in the TWE, just she won't when she's age 4. you can see pictures of all different age children in the TWE and the BeSafe on www.rearfacing.co.uk and go to 'gallery'. We chose the BeSafe as our 'main' seat, and still bought the TWE to go in the grandparents car, fully intending to use it for DC2 (which has turned out to be twins- eeek!!! half way cooked :-) )

justforinfo · 06/12/2011 23:29

The First Class fitted our 2002 focus fine, so i think the fitter isn't very good! It is a bit more wobbly when rear facing, it's supposed to be :) Feels so wrong at first but I phoned Britax to make sure and had it checked by britax and it's fine. However, from the age etc of your LO I'd say the TWE is the best as it's ERF :) Good luck!

Original poster

ComfortablyDumb · 11/12/2011 22:16

Just an update in the unlikely event anyone was curious. We've ordered the Britax Two Way Elite from the highly regarded In Car Safety Centre. Lets just hope we can fit it properly. Thanks for the help everyone!

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justforinfo · 12/12/2011 17:51

justforinfo likes this ^^

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