Car Seats and a Ford Ka

[1Catherine1]

A few months ago there was a thread on here where someone mentioned to me that it was difficult to get a safely fitted car seat in the back of a Ford KA because of the slanted seats in the back. I then ignored it because baby is not due until March and I didn't need to worry about it yet. I am now aware that March will be here in no time so I need to be prepared - especially for the potential cost of this car seat.

Unfortunately I can't find this thread any more so I thought I'd make a new one. So if anyone has a Ford KA, knows someone with one could you please tell me which car seat you have and if possible a price and where you got it from (links would also be much appreciated) :)

Thanks in advance. I'm hoping that I can get an estimate of what it's going to cost so I can budget baby's arrival.

Your county council probably has a car safety place that can help you find a seat that fits properly.

If you google something like "in car safety" for the area you live in, I'm sure a link will come up.

Alternatively, perhaps ask at a local shop that sells car seats if they know of a centre close by.

Some car seat people have guides on their websites. Brittax def do

Watching with intent as due in May and really cant afford another car before.

I don't know if it is just me but I also find the seat belts very short in the front so don't know how long they will be able to go around me or a front seat car seat?

maxi cosi have a section on their website which filters seats by car suitability

For anyone who this affects I've been out shopping and investigating today and also been browsing the web with great determination. I came across the above mentioned Brittax site and must admit it is very useful. It looks like the seat belt length is an issue in the front and the back. The Britax car seat finder could only recommend 2 group 0 car seats (although one was a modification of another so only really one), and one group 0-1 seat. Importantly though each car seat had a warning stating that the seat belt was only just long enough to fit the seat in. This worried me a little because when I was in Halfords today the fitter explained to me that for it be safely fit the belt buckle must not touch any part of the car seat since if it did then in an accident although the belt would be fine the buckle itself could break. I'm also worried about the state of my back if I fight with a car seat that only just fits every day in the car.

In Halfords the fitter recommended a Maxi Cosi Easy Base 2 Child Car Seat Base which fits 2 different Maxi Cosi car seats. This adds up to a very expensive deal though when you consider the base is £75 and the cheaper of the two car seats is £100, making a massive total of £175 for a car seat that will only be usable for the first 12 months.

The Brittax option of a base and seat is slightly cheaper at £150-£170 depending on what colour seat you want. Unfortunately it's still way above what I've budgeted for a car seat. :(

I haven't got a Ka, but we've just fitted our Maxi-Cosi Easy Base and it's great. DH said it was really easy once they'd worked out the instructions and getting the car seat in and out is now incredibly simple.

If you've got a 3 door car or a bad back or just want it to be quick & easy then a base is a great idea.

I had the same problem, we got an easy base thing. The car seat would fit on its own but the fitter said you would have to be really careful to get it right every time and combined with climbing over the seats the base was just easier as the seat clips in and out, no fiddling with seatbelts.

The boot is a nightmare too! I would start shopping early as getting a pushchair to fit in has been a trial.

go to mothercare my best mate has a ford ka and got her car seat and pram

I have a KA. I strap ds, 11weeks, into the passenger seat as I like to be able to see him when driving, though you have to make sure air bag is not present or switched off. I personally haven't even tried to fix it into the back seat but will go and try later and get back to you with my findings :)