What child seats for a 911 - Help please!

What child seats for a 911 - Help please!

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Discussion

Rob R

Original Poster:

40 posts

142 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
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Hi all,

I'm hoping to buy my first 911. However I have two young kids (aged 1 and 3) and it's a non-starter unless I can find car seats that fit securely in the back seats of a 2003/4 996 Carrera C4S.

I'd be grateful to hear from anybody with experience of successfully conquering this issue. I've found similar posts from previous years recommending advice but the car seats mentioned are no longer in production; so an update for 2012 with up-to-date make and models would be very much appreciated.

Similarly if anybody has an stories about why I might be bonkers to contemplate such a car with young kids I'd like to hear from you before I splash the cash!

Thanks,

Rob

J-P

4,350 posts

205 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
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911's are fine for kids. Having said that a 1 year old in the back might be a bit of a pain. When they're a bit older, they can clamber into the back themselves, but a one year old will have to be lifted in and strapped to a proper car seat as opposed to just a booster! I'd see if a dealership would let you try it out first and be realistic about how often you'll be putting your kids in the back. Mine are 4and 6, so can do the whole climb in and seatbelt thing on their own which makes a big difference.

Can't help with the correct car seats though, we just use the booster now.

uktrailmonster

4,827 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
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Having been through this recently ('02 996 C2), this seat works very well for a 2 year old - Britax Two Way Elite

http://www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk/videos-britax-t...

I tried quite a few other options beforehand including Maxi-Cosi Priori (no chance, forget it), Britax Prince (many people said this would fit, but it definitely doesn't, at least not the current version)

There are not many other options to be honest. Perhaps the Porsche branded one, but it's way over-priced.

Lifting a 2 year old in and out is not a big problem if you are reasonably fit. I don't find it any harder than putting her in the Volvo to be honest. But you do need to have the front seat reasonably well forward which could be a bit of a compromise for the front seat passenger. Not sure how you will get on with 2 in the back if you are tall and need the driver's seat right back.

Forgot to add, I wouldn't contemplate a long journey with the little one in the back. The rear seats backs in a 911 are very upright and even with the kiddy seat fully reclined, her head flops forward if she falls asleep. It's not a problem on short trips, but anything over an hour would be unfair I reckon.


Edited by uktrailmonster on Thursday 24th May 02:15

Rob R

Original Poster:

40 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Many thanks for your prompt responses JP and UKTrailmonster.

JP - you've clearly been through the baby tunnel and come out the other side - Perhaps I'd be sensible to wait a year or two.

UKTrailmonster - many thanks for pointing me towards the Britax. Does it only face backwards or will it face forwards too? Our three year old has a car seat that turns into a booster as he grows; so it would be good to try and get something similar to that as the kids grow so quickly! The Porsche-own seats are extortionate price-wise - a decent contribution to the a second-hand 996! It's a minefield trying to establish what will and won't fit.

Thanks again - much appreciated

J-P

4,350 posts

205 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
Many thanks for your prompt responses JP and UKTrailmonster.

JP - you've clearly been through the baby tunnel and come out the other side - Perhaps I'd be sensible to wait a year or two.

UKTrailmonster - many thanks for pointing me towards the Britax. Does it only face backwards or will it face forwards too? Our three year old has a car seat that turns into a booster as he grows; so it would be good to try and get something similar to that as the kids grow so quickly! The Porsche-own seats are extortionate price-wise - a decent contribution to the a second-hand 996! It's a minefield trying to establish what will and won't fit.

Thanks again - much appreciated
True smile

My comment about being a bit of a pain wasn't really directed at fitness levels but more at realistcally how will you use the car.

When you're at home, I'd agree with UKtrailmonster that it's not too difficult to put the kids in the car - yes it's more challenging than a 5 door but it's not a big deal.

However, if you intend to do the odd weekly shop or go anywhere that has parking bays and for whatever reason, your can't park in the parent and baby bays, then the fact that the doors won't open as wide is an issue and because it's tight in the back, you'll need to clamber in to ensure that your baby is correctly seated.

It's also true that when the kids are bigger and they fall asleep in the car, they can use the trasmission tunnel in the back as a pillow but when they are smaller the upright position of the seats does mean that their little heads loll forward when they fall asleep, which feels a bit mean.

PS FWIW - rear facing seats are awful in the back of a 911. Front seat passenger gets their legroom severely impeded and they're an absolute ballache to get in and out (tried it once with a loan 911 when our eldest was about 1yo and it totally put me off!)

supersport

4,040 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
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No don't wait do it now, it is perfectly doable!

We did it from 9 months so a 1 year old will be fine, even did Le Mans in it for my lads 3rd birthday.

This subject comes up so often that there should be a sticky on it. The search facility is a bit rubbish so it might be hard to find the answer.

If you get really stuck, try rining Quickfit SBS (www.quickfitsbs.com) they know about these things.

We used an Romer prince in the back until he grew out of it. These are like the old Porsche Prince but can't be split into a booster:



I think there might even be a more modern version available. If you get stuck you can have this one for £20+postage.

Apparently the Britax Prince is the modern version that looks very good from about £50 I think it will fit as some of the 944 guys use it.


Edited by supersport on Thursday 24th May 09:46

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
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As has been said, no problem with having a 911 with kids that age.

Rob R

Original Poster:

40 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Thank you all very much and especially to supersport for the reassurance and offer of the seat.

My potential purchase is a little controversial with the missus already and the prospect of rear-facing car seats / heads lolling forward will not help my cause! It'll be short / fun trips only plus school pick-ups as we have an estate for the shopping!

I agree - this conversation needs to be revisited every year - the vehicles age but the car seats keep being updated.

Fortunately I'm relatively fit and 5ft 10; so access should be okay - there are advantages (occasionally) in not being 6ft!

nickd01

610 posts

214 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
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I've literally just fitted one this weekend, for my 15 month old.

He's been in the back since birth, the rearward facing seat is a bit of a pain but I found putting him in the seat first then putting the seat in the car worked well. But, as people say, the front passenger looses out quite a lot.

He's now in a Maxi Cosi Tobi and it fits well. It's good because the way the seat-belt goes around it means you're not fiddling behind the seat in an already confined space. The belt actually goes around the front, and then over the top which is a lot easier to manage. I've left the seat-backs in, but some take them out.

He loves it, it doesn't recline as much as some do but he seems comfortable and the belts are easy to tighten - just pull one cord which is also good in the confined space.

Oh - and if you're in a tight space in a car park I can confirm kids slot in nicely through the passenger window!

Rob R

Original Poster:

40 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Nickd01 - I like the sound of the window option!

I'd be interested to know if you (and the other contributors) have a hard or soft top. I'm thinking about a soft top and so this may impact on the kids headroom as I know some of those Maxi-cosi seats have enormous bases(?!)

The seats need to be forward-facing otherwise they won't pass the missus-approval test!


supersport

4,040 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
I have a coupe.

I have seen a 996 cab with four adults in, and the two chaps in the back didn't seem to have a problem with headroom, although the roof was down. I have no idea if they had to have their legs removed though.

Paul O

2,705 posts

182 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
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I have a 911 997 Cabiolet and have been through this process in the past couple of months....

The Maxi Cosi Tobi fits in the back fine, however note that the Cabriolet has less room in the back and consequently the front seat has to be pulled really far forward. I believe the Coupe is better - and I have seen several Coupes with this seat in it.

I decided to buy the Porsche baby seat as well as I thought the front seat was too far forward and would be uncomfortable for long journeys for Mrs Paul O. The new seat can be used from 10 months old, face-forward - its called the Porsche Junior Isofix or something similar (note that the isofix is redundant in the back of a 911, but it works using the seat belt method instead). This seat is designed for the car and fits perfectly.

Hope that helps - I bought the 911 for the back seats. An ideal family car! biggrin

Edited by Paul O on Thursday 24th May 12:34

nickd01

610 posts

214 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
Thanks Nickd01 - I like the sound of the window option!

I'd be interested to know if you (and the other contributors) have a hard or soft top. I'm thinking about a soft top and so this may impact on the kids headroom as I know some of those Maxi-cosi seats have enormous bases(?!)

The seats need to be forward-facing otherwise they won't pass the missus-approval test!
The soft-top I believe has more upright seats in the back, so I would imagine less room. Certainly when I sat in a targa it was very upright. The Tobi specifically has a small base, and no Isofix. I was told by Mothercare it's a popular seat "in these cars". Many people prefer the seat-belt seats as they're actually easier to transfer to grandparents / friends cars without having to move a base as you would with Isofix.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
My potential purchase is a little controversial with the missus already
Show her this......Space for a buggy and her shopping...
(a 2wd 996 will be better still)



uktrailmonster

4,827 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
UKTrailmonster - many thanks for pointing me towards the Britax. Does it only face backwards or will it face forwards too?
This seat is designed to fit both ways round, hence the name Two Way Elite. But it would only fit forwards anyway in a 911, so not a problem.

uktrailmonster

4,827 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
supersport said:
Apparently the Britax Prince is the modern version that looks very good from about £50 I think it will fit as some of the 944 guys use it.
Been there, tried it and can confirm that the current Britax Prince does NOT fit a 996 rear. The seat itself fits in place quite snugly, but you can't tension the belts properly due to the position of the anchor points. The seat even comes with a cardboard template to check this. It's a non-starter unless you bodge it badly with loose belts.


supersport

4,040 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
uktrailmonster said:
Been there, tried it and can confirm that the current Britax Prince does NOT fit a 996 rear. The seat itself fits in place quite snugly, but you can't tension the belts properly due to the position of the anchor points. The seat even comes with a cardboard template to check this. It's a non-starter unless you bodge it badly with loose belts.
That's a non starter then!

uktrailmonster

4,827 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
I'd be interested to know if you (and the other contributors) have a hard or soft top.
We considered a soft top too as it was my wife's preference. A local Indy dealer kindly let us try seats in both a 996 Coupe and Cab. The Cab has quite a bit less space in the back and the seats are even more upright. We thought the Coupe was marginal enough and so ruled out the Cab at that point. But I think it could be done if you really wanted to - but you will lose even more front legroom.

uktrailmonster

4,827 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Rob R said:
It'll be short / fun trips only plus school pick-ups as we have an estate for the shopping!
That's exactly how we use ours too and it's not been a problem at all. Our little one really enjoys being driven in it. It's only when she falls asleep that it looks uncomfortable. I'll take some pics if you like?

Rob R

Original Poster:

40 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Thank you all for your support and encouragement thus far. You've clearly gone through some pain yourselves in trying to overcome this and your assistance is going to get me in strife with the 'boss'!

Car seats-aside is a 2003 / 2004 996 Carrera C4S (Tiptonic) with 50-70K miles circa £22-24K a good place to start my Porsche career? I've read that early 996's can suffer oil seal problems.. but this mainly applies to 2002 models and earlier ???!!! ...One can read too much!