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Original poster

Car seat 0+ for a 2001 Micra

14 replies

GeorginaA · 02/02/2004 20:00

Starting to go through our old baby stuff to see what we need to replace for the next kiddie. Have realised that our old Britax Rock A Tot will not fit in the back seat of our 2001 model Micra as the seatbelts are too short (and the front seat has an airbag so that's a no no).

So, does anyone have a recommendation for a 0+ carseat (preferably one that you can extract and carry baby around in as well) that will fit in the backseat of a Micra? As it's a fairly popular car I'm guessing I can't be the only one with this issue

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 02/02/2004 20:01

We had a fiesta and used a chicco synthesis car seat. If you go to halfords or mothercare i'm sure they'll let you try before you buy

Original poster
GeorginaA · 02/02/2004 20:06

Will look out for the Chicco one, thanks

Problem with Halfords here is that it's only a small one without much stock and the mothercare is in town so parking near would be an issue Think it is such a major purchase we're going to need to trek out to Merry Hill or somewhere to do this properly though as you suggest.

Why oh why can't they make small cars with proper length seatbelts?!

OP posts:
prettycandles · 02/02/2004 20:26

I had a 1998 model Micra and used the Graco seat in the front (later a Britax Renaissance in the back). Not terribly helpful, I know, but the new Graco has a base that you leave in the car, and IIRC the seatbelt routing is shorter than if you have to run the belt around the carseat itself. Also, I was able to use my Graco seat in my dad's ancient short-belted car.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 02/02/2004 20:37

The idea of a base left in the car does sound appealing (I hate struggling with belts at an angle - if it's just a nice easy & secure clip in - that would be fantastic!) - will look out for a Graco too!

If I manage to get a shortlist of 2 or 3 types before I go into the shop, it's going to be such a less painful experience

Thanks for these!

OP posts:
marz · 03/02/2004 13:28

Hi..I had a 99 Micra, ( I think..!!) and we had big big problems with car seats......especially the next stage....infact, none of them would fit..(by mothercare!) However, the graco0+ did, front and back. Nissan do their own car seat....did you know? (actually made by britax and sold to nissan) It is Isofix too, (am not sure if Micras have isofix or not...and it lasts till age 3 or 4, from birth if I remember correctly. )Bad news....I hated it..(tried it for our Tino) but it is worth a try. Good luck!

WSM · 03/02/2004 13:37

2 friends have the graco with the autobase system (you leave the base in the car and the seat just clips into it), but neither of aformentioned friends use the base anymore. Both said that it didn't feel at all stable and they'd taken them to one of those car seat clinic thingies at Halfords to be properly fitted, only to find that they were just as unstable feeling as they had been previously ! Both friends now just use the gracdo car seat fitted straight onto the rear seat of the car itself.

Both friends had commented on how snugly my Britax Rock a Tot fitted into their cars and that it made them realise just how 'wobbly' theirs were . Friend 1 has a VW Passat and Friend 2 has a Ford Focus.

Mamas and Papas also do one with a base, the 'Primo Viaggio'. I'm not sure how much more stable they are though.

WSM

Original poster
GeorginaA · 03/02/2004 13:42

LOL thanks marz Our current Britax (for toddler) is also pretty dire actually - the buckle is really hard to click in. Such a shame because I perceive the Britax to be more carefully safety tested and therefore "better" (probably wrongly). The Graco does look the most likely candidate at the moment...

OP posts:
Original poster
GeorginaA · 03/02/2004 13:43

Eeeep ... then again after reading WSMs

Oh the joys of the baby product minefields... and I thought it would be easier the second time around!!

OP posts:
WSM · 03/02/2004 13:51

I'm sure that there are many parents who have been nothing but overjoyed with their Graco autobase system but the 2 I know (the only 2 I know with Graco) are really unhappy with it and wished they'd have just bought the straight forward seat and not bothered with the additional expense of the base. Not sure if you can just buy the Graco seat without the base though.

prettycandles · 03/02/2004 15:05

Georgina, are you anywhere near N London? There's an excellent Road Safety Officer at Enfield who has virtually every carseat available and will test them in your car for you and find the best fit. Do you want me to find his details?

Original poster
GeorginaA · 03/02/2004 15:06

Unfortunately not, prettycandles - we're in Worcester. Thank you so much for the thought though!

OP posts:
prettycandles · 03/02/2004 15:20

Maybe your local council have one? Enfield's not local to us, but reachable by car. You could try a UK Google for Road Safety, or some such.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 03/02/2004 17:47

It's certainly worth looking into - I will, thank you

OP posts:
marz · 04/02/2004 09:16

Sorry...forgot to add, my graco carseat was NOT the one with the base, it was just car seat alone.
so if base does not fit......try just the car seat! Oh...and I was never convinced that it was 1005 safe....but mothercare said it was....and that is how it is in all cars....!
Good Luck!

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