monaro and baby (human) ownership / car seats
Discussion
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[/URL]before
[/URL]before Edited by samkia on Thursday 19th April 22:50
I'm having similar problems. Baby is eight months now, while I can fit his rear facing seat in the back with the use of a seat belt extender, it has never felt as secure as when in the back of the "family" car which has sufficiently long seat belts. Suffice to say he's only been out in the Ro on a handful of times.
Now he's nearly due for the next seat, I tried out the recaro young sport and due to the angle of the rear seats it just did not fit securely. The problem was made worse by the seatbelt socket (not sure of technical name) being two or three inches from the back, this means that it doesn't fasten securely to the rear only downwards. The young sport goes up to 12 years so would be the only seat he'd need, if it had fitted.
Instead, we managed to fit the maxicosi Toby as the seatbelt goes around the front of the seat. This was tighter that a nuns wotsit to fit and needed me and the nice lady from the shop to to wrestle it in but we did it and it was very secure, not sure what passers by may have thought we were up to though. Problem is, this goes up to 3-4 years, or probably two given the rate our monster is growing. Once he outgrows that seat, I couldn't find any high backed boosters to fit so I'd be back to square one.
I'm still on the lookout for a seat that will fit and take him up to 12 years but if not then I can't see the Ro getting very much use at all. It's a 2004 CV8, appreciate these problems less prolific in newer models.
Now he's nearly due for the next seat, I tried out the recaro young sport and due to the angle of the rear seats it just did not fit securely. The problem was made worse by the seatbelt socket (not sure of technical name) being two or three inches from the back, this means that it doesn't fasten securely to the rear only downwards. The young sport goes up to 12 years so would be the only seat he'd need, if it had fitted.
Instead, we managed to fit the maxicosi Toby as the seatbelt goes around the front of the seat. This was tighter that a nuns wotsit to fit and needed me and the nice lady from the shop to to wrestle it in but we did it and it was very secure, not sure what passers by may have thought we were up to though. Problem is, this goes up to 3-4 years, or probably two given the rate our monster is growing. Once he outgrows that seat, I couldn't find any high backed boosters to fit so I'd be back to square one.
I'm still on the lookout for a seat that will fit and take him up to 12 years but if not then I can't see the Ro getting very much use at all. It's a 2004 CV8, appreciate these problems less prolific in newer models.
chrisd2010 said:
, I tried out the recaro young sport and due to the angle of the rear seats it just did not fit securely. The problem was made worse by the seatbelt socket (not sure of technical name) being two or three inches from the back, this means that it doesn't fasten securely to the rear only downwards. The young sport goes up to 12 years so would be the only seat he'd need, if it had fitted.
Have had this seat for over 4 years no issues fits safe, think you must have doone something wrong ?Also had a big spin in the car 3 years ago, 2x 360 spin at 70mph with (then) 2 years old son in the back, he was safe and sound, thank God
Edited by 007 VXR on Sunday 9th December 10:13
I have a 2005 CV8 (small boot), and it has ISOFIX points in the back. Is it maybe just the 2004 cars that don't have ISOFIX? I believe the system started to become universally used by all manufacturers around 2005/06. Anyway, for our son, now 8 months, we use the Mamas & Papas Primo Viaggio with the ISOFIX base. The base just stays in the car, and you clip the seat into and out of it. It's a bit of a hassle getting him in and out, though, as the seat won't fit between the front seat and B pillar unless it is tipped on its side, so you have to take him out the seat, then take the seat out the car, put it on the pram frame, and then put him back in the seat, so it's a two adult job.
When he outgrows the Primo Viaggio in a couple of months, I'll probably just get the Mamas & Papas Vito seat, which should simply slot onto the existing base (although I haven't trial fitted this yet) and should last him up until 4 years (supposedly).
Of course, the pram frame onto which the Primo Viaggio seat clips completely fills my small boot with no room for any actual luggage, but we've gotten by so far with the Monaro as our "family" wheels. If we ever have a second (child, not Monaro), I'll probably just buy a practical estate clunker as the family wheels and keep the Ro for special occasions. An MG ZT-T 260 perhaps?!
When he outgrows the Primo Viaggio in a couple of months, I'll probably just get the Mamas & Papas Vito seat, which should simply slot onto the existing base (although I haven't trial fitted this yet) and should last him up until 4 years (supposedly).
Of course, the pram frame onto which the Primo Viaggio seat clips completely fills my small boot with no room for any actual luggage, but we've gotten by so far with the Monaro as our "family" wheels. If we ever have a second (child, not Monaro), I'll probably just buy a practical estate clunker as the family wheels and keep the Ro for special occasions. An MG ZT-T 260 perhaps?!
Useful info guys, thanks!
We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
TomV8 said:
Useful info guys, thanks!
We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
I stick mine in the passenger side so I can see him. The Recaro young sport just fits through between the passenger seat and B-pillar (upside-down!). If we're getting in and out a lot I sometimes put him in his seat from the driver's seat - i.e., just pass him over the centre console.We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
TomV8 said:
Useful info guys, thanks!
We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
I've got the Easy Base 2 with a Cabriofix seat and it fits great in the back of the 'Ro - feels just as secure as my wifes ISOFIX equipped car. Wouldnt use it without the base though.We have a son arriving in April and we've got hold of the Maxi Cosi easy base 2, which fits perfectly. Not bought the seat itself yet but looking at the Pebble (or one of the Maxi Cosi range).
What's the recommended back seat for the baby seat? Behind the passenger? I haven't been able to try a seat through the seat/B pillar gap yet but assume that the gap is only big enough on the passenger side?
The Monaro is my daily driver but trips out with the wife/baby will only be once or twice a week so I'm (at the moment) not too fussed about a little bit of inconvenience getting the little chap in and out. (When it's 45 degrees in a mall car park I might be cursing this blase attitude!!)
I've got the seat behind the drivers, because my wife tends to sit in the back so can have the other seat as far forward as possible for maximum space. This means my seat cant go back quite as far as i like, but I've got used to it now.
I can just about squeeze the Cabriofix into the back with baby in it, but the handle needs to be down so its a bit of a faff. So I just let my wife get in first and pass baby through, so the seat just stays in the car.
And the boot fits a travel system base and pram in perfectly. Not sure how you small boot owners manage
CarlosV8 said:
I've got the Easy Base 2 with a Cabriofix seat and it fits great in the back of the 'Ro - feels just as secure as my wifes ISOFIX equipped car. Wouldnt use it without the base though.
I've got the seat behind the drivers, because my wife tends to sit in the back so can have the other seat as far forward as possible for maximum space. This means my seat cant go back quite as far as i like, but I've got used to it now.
I can just about squeeze the Cabriofix into the back with baby in it, but the handle needs to be down so its a bit of a faff. So I just let my wife get in first and pass baby through, so the seat just stays in the car.
And the boot fits a travel system base and pram in perfectly. Not sure how you small boot owners manage
Now you say that I think we're getting the Cabrio Fix too. I suspect my wife may want to sit in the back so that could make things easier.I've got the seat behind the drivers, because my wife tends to sit in the back so can have the other seat as far forward as possible for maximum space. This means my seat cant go back quite as far as i like, but I've got used to it now.
I can just about squeeze the Cabriofix into the back with baby in it, but the handle needs to be down so its a bit of a faff. So I just let my wife get in first and pass baby through, so the seat just stays in the car.
And the boot fits a travel system base and pram in perfectly. Not sure how you small boot owners manage
I unfortunately have the small boot model and have yet to work out which push chair thing will fit! We've got a couple in mind - My4 from Mothercare or Babystyle Oyster. Anyone had experience of trying to fit these in a 'small' boot? Any better ideas?
PS - never thought I'd be writing this in a Monaro forum! Although it's worth it if it means I can avoid buying an eye wateringly boring car instead
The 2004 model doesn't have the isofix points and also the position of the seatbelt socket mean the child seat isn't pulled back into the seat only downwards.
I tried the graco yesterday and this had the same problem as the recaro in that it simply would not do up securely enough.
The only one I can fit securely in the back of mine is still the maxi cosi Toby, which unfortunately doesn't go beyond 4 years. Looks like I'll go for that one.
As for fitting seats in through the doors, they all seem tight but for the 9 month + seats, they tend to stay in the car so it is only a case of putting them in once and then periodically re-tensioning the seatbelt.
For new born we had te silver cross travel system but that didn't fit securely in the back seat so we don't use that in the monaro. I wouldn't recommend that for an 04 monaro but its fantastic otherwise.
Thanks for everyone's continued contribution to this, I'll look for a few others else I'll get the maxi cosi.
I tried the graco yesterday and this had the same problem as the recaro in that it simply would not do up securely enough.
The only one I can fit securely in the back of mine is still the maxi cosi Toby, which unfortunately doesn't go beyond 4 years. Looks like I'll go for that one.
As for fitting seats in through the doors, they all seem tight but for the 9 month + seats, they tend to stay in the car so it is only a case of putting them in once and then periodically re-tensioning the seatbelt.
For new born we had te silver cross travel system but that didn't fit securely in the back seat so we don't use that in the monaro. I wouldn't recommend that for an 04 monaro but its fantastic otherwise.
Thanks for everyone's continued contribution to this, I'll look for a few others else I'll get the maxi cosi.
007 VXR said:
Are the 04 rear seats diffrent from the 06 seats ? 
It's probably the fact that you have Isofix to hold the seat in place, rather than relying on the shape of the car seat to hold the baby seat in place. If the baby seat is wobbling around, it's not giving the confidence that a parent wants.ARAF said:
007 VXR said:
Are the 04 rear seats diffrent from the 06 seats ?
It's probably the fact that you have Isofix to hold the seat in place, rather than relying on the shape of the car seat to hold the baby seat in place. If the baby seat is wobbling around, it's not giving the confidence that a parent wants.007 VXR said:
ARAF said:
007 VXR said:
Are the 04 rear seats diffrent from the 06 seats ?
It's probably the fact that you have Isofix to hold the seat in place, rather than relying on the shape of the car seat to hold the baby seat in place. If the baby seat is wobbling around, it's not giving the confidence that a parent wants.
As I said, my 2005 small boot CV8 has ISOFIX. I presumed it was standard in all Monaros from 2005, but perhaps it was an optional dealer fit? Seems unlikely though. It also seems odd that it would be standard in CV8s and not in VXRs.
We went for the Mamas and Papas Pliko Pramette, the frame of which fits the dimensions of the Monaro small boot. One thing to bear in mind is that infant car seats generally face rearwards, so you can't really drive with just you and the baby in the car, as you can't see what he or she is up to, so my wife always travels in the back with the baby and I put my chauffeur's cap on.
We went for the Mamas and Papas Pliko Pramette, the frame of which fits the dimensions of the Monaro small boot. One thing to bear in mind is that infant car seats generally face rearwards, so you can't really drive with just you and the baby in the car, as you can't see what he or she is up to, so my wife always travels in the back with the baby and I put my chauffeur's cap on.
Do you mean for the newborn rear facing seat ? I had this problem and ended up buying the easy base 2 from maxi cosi its a base that uses your belt and a bar slides down onto floor. The seat then clips into base. Great bit of kit dead quick and easy but very secure. It works with the short belts as the belts clip through base and stay there.
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