jclanin

Hi all,

So after test driving several cars on my quest to replace my 993 with a more practical "kid hauler" (I'll be a first time dad soon) I've decided the best move is no move at all. Love my car too much and my wife's car will act as the kid hauler 90% of the time.

But, I will need to address the proper "infant/kid" seat solutions for my car, and I'm very confused. I assumed there was a seat/process/method for a rear facing, front seat application that would disable the passenger air bag. But then I see mention of a DIY for a rear infant seat....

Looking for advice and the correct way to go here... Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks!

JC

LanCat

Don't even think about installing a rear facing seat in the back of a 993. You'll struggle to get them in it and you can't see them from the front. I do believe the front airbag can be disabled for a rear facing seat if your local laws permit.

Once the child is older there are several options of forward facing seats that can fit in the rear and work well.

David in LA

I got an airbag override switch from airbagonoff.com....I didn't want to mess with the install so my mechanic installed it for $50 or so.



It would be great to have an infant seat in the back (my wife sits back there when we take this car out, but she's not too thrilled) but it's a real tight fit....the frames of most seats are fairly large so the kidlet will be right up agains the front seat, and also the base of most infant seats are too wide for the rear seat area. There is also the issue of the rear seat belts being able to fasten the seat securely enough. And in any case, in this car it would be a PIA to put her in and out since the front seats don't recline.

chris walrod

From one soon to be first time Dad to another soon to be first time Dad, CONGRATULATIONS!!

mrsullivan

some of us on this board have PhDs in the subject...

two options -

1) disable airbag (I thought that mechanics wouldnt do this without DOT stickers, etc...at least in TX, but not sure). Better make sure this is done right...big deal if it goes off with an infant in the front.
2) put it in the back on the passenger side, moving the front passenger seat forward a bit to prevent the fun "kicking" that can occur back there. In my last 993, we had a rule...shoes came off when my son rode back there.

In either case, there are some car seats that work better than othes. Search on this and you will find a lot of information. The problem in the back is that you need to have a very narrow width base. If you dont find what you are looking for, PM me and I will give you some more info.

95 C4 993

A Britax car seat and all has been well. Now that our son is 3 1/2, it still works just fine but the front seat needs to come up further.

David in LA

do you recall which Britax model that is? thanks!

95 C4 993

I believe its the ROUNDABOUT just like the one below on Ebay. Will double check when I get out and about shortly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRITAX-BIG-CAT-R...QQcmdZViewItem

icelatte

Roundabout worked in my car but as my daughter got taller in the seat, I've decided she won't ride in it anymore until she fits in a booster in the rear seat. There just wasn't enough headroom between her and the sloping roof/rear window for my comfort.

jimhsu

I have searched for this topic as well but I would say most of the posts are out of date, as many of the models recommended are no longer available. It seems car sear makers discontinue models all the time.

I do have a Roundabout....do you need to take off the base? It seems for the rear seat the child seat base itself is too big for the seating surface.

And how about a booster for those with older kids? Anyone with a currently available model recommendations for the 993 backseat?

Thanks!

95_993

I used the Graco Snug ride for a rear-facing seat for the first few moths. I did use the snap-in base and used the seat belt to snug it in...very secure. Drawback is having to move the passenger seat up further than you might like.

Later, the Britax Roundabout fits nicely forward facing. My older daughter uses the Britax Parkway booster has worked out well. The bases seems to be more narrow thna others and tucks in nicely in the 993.

In our house, the 993 is referred to as the 2-door with my daughters. Needless to say....they LOVE riding in the "2-door" and often ask to take it when we're going out.

95_993

edit: I did *not* use the snap-in base with the Graco.

jimhsu

yep: Britax Parkway was another booster I read about a lot on Rennlist.

Unfortunately already unavailable at Toys R Us, Amazon, etc....

95 C4 993

Ebay has dozens of the Britax models. Throw the cover in the wash, santize the rest, good to go.

***Mine is the EXPRESSWAY, not the Roundabout but will work fine. It fits perfectly in the back seat of the C4.

The Roundabout is designed for kids under 1 or 20lbs, the Expressway for kids over 1 or 20lbs. Both are about identical.

The Britax Expressway is a forward-facing only carseat for children over the age of 1 year old and 20 and 40 pounds. If your child is under the age of 1 and below 20 pounds check out one of the other seats from Britax, like the Roundabout.

The Britax Expressway is built with the same shell as the Britax Roundabout so it looks quite similar.

Here is a good link that should sum everything up with Britax models.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Brita...nt_71589072516

95_993

We got our Britax Parkway Booster at www.elitecarseats.com. In fact, we bought several Britax seats at Elite.