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Car seat in 3 door car? Front or back?

3 replies

AblativeAbsolute · 01/06/2012 09:14

We've got a family car already (Golf), but we're about to buy a second car for husband's new job. The large majority of the time it will only be used for DH to commute - it also needs to be as small as poss to fit in our garage - so we're looking for something like a Micra etc. However, I imagine that sometimes (say, every couple of weeks or so?) it would be useful to put one of the kids in there, if I've got to take the other one somewhere else, and I guess this will happen increasingly as they get older and start doing more weekend activities (they're currently 4.5 and nearly 2).

So..... the question is, do I need to shell out the extra for a 5 door car? (Not just the cost - there also seem to be fewer 5 door secondhand super-minis about.) How easy is it to get a car seat into a 3 door car? (We'd be moving the car seat in each time, not just the child.) Could I get round it by having the child in the front, or is that so much less safe to be not worth the risk?

Any advice (plus any specific car recommendations - budget c.5k) most welcome.

Thanks!

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only4tonight · 01/06/2012 09:56

I have a 3 door micra and I love it. But as 3 doors are so much cheaper than 5 doors I would invest in spare child seats that can stay put. Moving car seats in and out is a pita in any car and much less secure than a properly fitted one.

StateofConfusion · 01/06/2012 10:01

The first car we had was a 3 door 106, with 2 dc. We managed ok, I actually found putting them in and tightening harnesses easier as I was in front iyswim.

Can't recomend a car as were in mpv county now.

AblativeAbsolute · 02/06/2012 00:35

Thanks. I hadn't thought of a spare car seat (duh). My tame mechanic today recommended a Fiesta or a Yaris, so I shall see what's around.

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