Car seat advice needed - unusual problem.

[suejonez]

I'm adopting a child somewhere between 6 months and 2 yrs (hopefully Sept/oct ish). Don't want to leave car seat until I find out more about baby as I have so much to get, I'm hoping to leave only clothes to the last minute.

I guess I have to get a 0-4 yrs one to cover all those ages? (first question)

I'm obviously a bit strapped for cash and have bought or been given a lot of the other stuff second hand but don't like the idea of a second hand car seat.

Argos seem to have a reasonably priced 0-4 \link{http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3756241.htm\here}. Has anyone bought car seats from Argos, are they any good? (question 2)

Any other recommendations for 0-4 car seats for less than £50? (OK done now!)

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Hi,

Congratulations on the adoption!

I would say get a 0-4 years car seat. I've just looked at the Which? report, and all of them that are suitable up to 4 years start at 9 months, so you MIGHT like to wait until nearer the time, perhaps put the money away somewhere? I personally wouldn't buy one from Argos though. I would go somewhere where they'd make sure it fitted properly into your car. In particular, when rear-facing, some cars don't have a long enough seat belt to secure bulky cars seats in the rear-facing position. If you're anywhere near Kiddicare, Peterborough, I would go there as they are excellent at making sure it fits properly and helping you to fit it. If you buy from them, you can go back after the event and they will check it again.

As you've got a bit of time, its worth looking out for car seats that are in last year's colours, as these are often sold off, for up to half the original price. Kiddicare are particularly good at this, although ToysRUs do it sometimes as well.

Britax has a reversable car seat (good for when they are under 1 to face backwards) and then turn around when they are old enough up to age 4 - they have good reviews - mothercare do them, provide (usually) good advice and help fit (if they are not too busy)

Halfords stock car seats and will always fit them for you!!! Congratulations you must be thrilled. I had Britax for both my boys and bought them the ISO-Fix one (Latch) as it is called over here. These plug straight onto the car chassis, if you've a newer car you might have this. They're great and save all the messing around with seatbelts. Very very safe too. But not cheap, sorry.

have you got a tesco extra near you? maybe able to get a britax for the £40 mark

I'd wait on the car seat until you know how old the baby is, as ££ is an issue. There are way more 9 months to 4 years car seats on the market than 0-4 years.

I think there is a Tesco Extra near New Malden which isn't so far from me, so I guess thats an option. Maybe I'll go shopping there this weekend. Alternatively I supposed I try to beg, borrow or steal a 0-9 car seat from someone if I need it.

Thanks for the advice - I hadn't realised Tesco Extra sold car seats! Live and learn! I only have a little Ford Ka so I won't be buying anything too bulky.

You probably could find a 0-9 to borrow for a bit. I know secondhand isn't ideal, but if you know the previous owner, you can know it hasn't been in a crash.

(I think the 0-4 car seats tend to be quite bulky.)

ALLIPIGGY we were thinking about buying my mum and dads chrysler pt cruiser, it has child seat fixing points and they are called latch, do you think you can use the standard isofix seats with it?

suejonez we have the Britax first class car seat that is 0-4, there are very few cars it fits when in rear mode. we are using it at the moment for DD2 facing forward, we wanted to use it for DS2 but it doesn't fit either of our cars rearwards so we had to buy a new infant carrier.