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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Is it possible to manage with a 3 door car?

34 replies

PetShopGirl · 21/07/2012 18:46

Putting to one side, if you can bear, just how ridiculously over-privileged the title of this thread sounds, can anyone advise/offer any experience?

First baby due at the beginning of December. DH and I both have 3 door cars, and I'd pretty much assumed that we would need to swap one of them for a 4/5 door. However, obviously could do without as much extra expense as possible at the moment. So would we be mad to even contemplate just keeping our present cars? I'm okay with a bit of extra hassle, but if it would be a complete nightmare then would rather suck it up and just get a new car.

I have an Audi A3 which would definitely be the primary 'babymobile'. DH has a beaten up old Seat Ibiza which is really just a dog transporter now, so probably not worth factoring in anyway!

Thanks.

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RandomMess · 22/07/2012 15:15

I had a 3 door fiat sceicento - sole car me, dh and 3 dc...

I was okay, used a car seat that attached to a base to make it easier.

Chunkychicken · 22/07/2012 15:25

We have a 5dr Ford focus but when I've borrowed my DM's Peugeot 106 or DMIL's corsa which are both 3dr, I've found it tricky to get the passenger seat all the way back with a infant carrier behind in the Peugeot and a bit tricky to get my toddler in & out without doubling myself up & climbing in too, bug manageable. HOWEVER, being pg with #2 made the latter almost impossible, and really hurt my hips/pelvis getting my 2yo into her seat, although she can actually climb into the seat herself in these cars, which was easier.

As long as your infant carrier fits in & doesn't prevent you carrying a passenger because the front seat is so far forward.

On the ISOFIX/base thing, make sure it fits properly. Despite all literature suggesting our car was compatible with a base and/had isofix, we found that we had the fittings but would need something added by Ford for the base to work (which could cost £100!) and then we tried a seat-belt secured base for the carrier, & the design of our seats prevented the upright post 'locking in' & Mothercare recommended we didn't use it. So, bases are brilliant as long as they work in your car - get it checked first.

dozensofpichu · 22/07/2012 15:31

I have used a maxi cosi infant carrier on an isofix base without any problems in a 3 door citroen c4. There is still plenty of legroom for front passengers and the base means there is no messing around with seatbelts. I'd have to say a base is a must as I tried to just use the infant carrier with seatbelt and it was a total pain!

SarryB · 22/07/2012 16:29

We have a 3 door Landrover Discovery. Weird I know.

It works ok, but I can only get the carseat out of the passenger side or I pass it over the back seat into the boot.

Rockchick1984 · 23/07/2012 09:02

Stastically, the front passenger side is most likely to be hit in the event of an accident, so preference should be to put baby in the back even when airbags are turned off, although can be used if back seat isn't an option.

My dad has an Astra 3 door, I often put DS in his car. It's not too bad, although I struggle in a skirt but have to push the passenger seat all the way forward and climb in to strap him in. It's much easier now with DS in a group 1 seat than it was with newborn, although I didn't use a base for the carseat so that obviously would have made it easier.

Wouldn't like to do the same when pregnant with DC2, my Citroen 5 door is a million times easier!!

CountryKitty · 23/07/2012 15:25

We also had two 3 door cars when DD1 was born. One week after taking her home we upgraded DH car to a large family car and used that one for holidays / long journeys etc. I managed happily with my 3 door car, using a seat base, until DD2 was born. Two weeks after she was born I had a fight with the car seat in the rain and insisted that we bought me a shiny new people carrier. It's great - the difference is immense and I still have it 4 years later. I'm expecting DC3 in January and the car will more than cope with the three car seats in the back plus big pram etc. DH just needs to upgrade his car again though! It's never ending!! My sister manages her DD in a 3 door audi A3 fine. Goodluck!

patosullivan · 23/07/2012 17:23

We've got a 3 door Polo, and are managing fine with that.

We use a maxi-cosi car seat that's compatible with an isofix base that's permanently in the car, which made putting the first stage car seat in the car much easier.

You do need to open the car door a bit wider to get the car seat out though, and it can be a bit of a strain on your back getting car seats in and out of the back seat.

teacher123 · 23/07/2012 17:54

I had a Peugeot 307 convertible when pregnant with DS which only had 3 doors and was convinced it would be fine with a baby seat... My advice is borrow a baby and car seat from an obliging friend and try to get them in the car in the rain. My friend provided this service on a few occasions and much as is broke my heart I got rid of my shiny, lovely, perfect car. Sob. I now have my husbands battered to pieces freelander which is amazing with all the crap that comes with having a baby... He now drives a toyota aygo, which is also 5 door. It has no boot space but is so economical (he has a long commute to work). it means we can take DS easily in either car. I would say at least one of you needs a 5 door car in my humble opinion!

HelloShitty · 23/07/2012 18:17

DH has just bought a massive Volvo car thingy and we both agree that it's much easier to get DS (3) in and out of my old 3-door Fiesta. It is very nice and much more comfortable (esp when raining) to get right inside to strap them in rather than manouvre yourself from the side.

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