Front facing car seats (x2)

[russell agius]

Has anyone heard of any car seats that can go in a cerb 4.5 (y reg) as well as other cars (e.g Audi A4)?

Don't really want to have to fork out for both unless absolutely nec.

Many thanks.

[gazzab]

I would recommend the recaros.
See recaro web site.

[whatever]

The Britax Freeway goes in "any" car.

Having said that, the hassle involved easily outwighed the cost of another seat, and the one I bought for the other car seems a bit more comfy, too.

[russell agius]

Thanks guys, I'll investigate (actually need 2 seats as we've got twins!) Russell

[njw 77]

Russell, have discussed this with others on here, seems to be 3 real options

1. Brittax Freeway - got the guy at Halwits to try it in my Cerb, wasnt really happy as the seat wobbled about too much for my liking.
2. Recarro Start seat - recomended by other owners, but my 2 yr old is quite small and the Recarro uses the car's seat belt as opposed to an integral harness like the Freeway (or the Brittax 1st Class I have in my A4). I think I will be going down this route when I either get my arse into gear and get one tested or someone else does (like you!) and post your findings on here
3 TVR car seat, which is, I am told, the Recarro seat, made for TVR, but costs twice as much as the Recarro (wonder if it needs servicing as much as the car? )

I agree with whatever, go for the 2 seat option, particularly thinking of the trouble you will be in (as I have a couple of times) when you go off to work, or out for the day, with the car seat in your car and the missus stuck at home all day cos she cant take the kids out (ouch )

Nick

>> Edited by njw 77 on Monday 9th August 17:29

[SXS]

Rip out the passenger seat.... fit a rectangular play pen in... and hook some firm body wrap ties on for the kids.... they'll love it, like floating in space.... mobile nursery....

squeeze the other half in the rear seat.... sorted.

Without sounding too farty, but I wouldnt recommend kids in the car between birth and 3ish... cant be good for their ears????? and to think what if some old goat rammed me side on..... BIG 4x4 for the missis and the kids highly recommended... how about an X5 to go with the Cerb? she can follow you whenever you go out? a few mates use that routine....
including Beckham (although, he's not a mate (not anymore after that performance anyway) )....

[whatever]

njw 77 said:

1. Brittax Freeway - got the guy at Halwits to try it in my Cerb, wasnt really happy as the seat wobbled about too much for my liking.

Just to re-iterate an apparently not well-known fact:

It is possible to have a "n" shaped bit of tubing fixed into the rear-seat footwell. This then supports a base-board, trimmed in my case, onto which is placed the car seat.

This then gives a stable base for the fixing of the seat, albeit at the expense of foot-room for a larger rear-seat passenger (isn't everything in the cerb a compromise? ) There's no reason why any seat needs to be rejected soley because the rear seat is not deep enough.

[njw 77]

Fair point Ash, I wasnt planning on going touring round Euroland with the kids onboard, just to transport them the 5 miles or so to the grandparents to drop them off before going on out, to stop the missus following in the 4x4 scenario, as we currently do (oh forgot about the 2 month old, as soon as he is crawling I suppose we could always leave him at home with his food and milk in one of those-time delay cat feeders? Of course, we wouldnt leave him overnight like that..he cant reach the lightswitch yet :shrug:

Did try the rearward facing seat in the front of the Cerb & whilst it fitted fine, I wouldnt be too happy if some old geet or geetess even so much as dribbled in my direction, so I guess its back to square one again.

Nick

[russell agius]

Guys

I took the plunge and have purchased 2 "Recaro Start" child seats on the internet through searching on Google.

One came in at £50 has already arrived (tip-top condition)... and already in the motor! Other due to arrive next week and cost £65 and internet pictures look great. Not bad compared to the £180+ new price and even more expensive TVR ones.

Anyway, just need to wait for the twins to get 6 months older so they can use them as they're only 3 months at the moment!

The seat already fitted went in very easily, and looks very stable, although to be honest as soon as the kids' legs extend beyond the front of the seat it's probably going to be no good behind on the driver's side. That said, the one on the missus' side will still be ok. There's always the boot for the noisy twin...

In time, we'll probably move on to a "booster seat" at some point to replace the one behind the driver's side if that's any better (somehow I'm not sure it will be).

Also, not convinced now about having to purchase another two seats for the A4 now, having seen how quickly the Recaro seats go in and out of the cerb.

Anyway, thanks again for all your help, much appreciated.

Russell (C6ERA)

[NJW 77]

WTG Russell, convinced me to pull my finger out & get one. Just needed confirmation that the Recaro was stable

Will do some surfing after I get back from scaring some wedding guests this weekend