group 2/3 child seats

[jonathant]

Looking at getting a group 2/3 child seat for my 99 Chimaera - something like a Britax hi-liner - for the morning school run on my way to work.

Anyone got any comments regarding other seats and/or fitting?

edited to add: oh, and any issues with fitting them in the boot when not needed?

Edited by jonathant on Tuesday 10th October 10:20

[chris_chim]

Suggest you go somewhere that lets you try lots of different ones in the car to see what fits and what doesn't. I suspect you will struggle to get most full size seats into the boot when not in use. I use a Britax Cruiser that is a bit like an extended booster seat (if that makes sense) and this goes in the boot easily even with the roof but I don't think they make them anymore.

[bunglist]

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

[antonyj]

bunglist said:

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

What about the new rules about children under a certain height?

[M@H]

antonyj said:

bunglist said:

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

What about the new rules about children under a certain height?

Exactly, and you're only talking £12-£15 for a basic "regulation" booster.

[toon tvr]

bunglist said:

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

Very bad idea using a cushion
In an accident the cushion will compress and the child could possibly slid under the seat belt or become hung up by the belt.
This won't happen with a child booster seat and there only a tenner from halfords.

[jonathant]

jonathant said:

Looking at getting a group 2/3 child seat for my 99 Chimaera - something like a Britax hi-liner - for the morning school run on my way to work.

Anyone got any comments regarding other seats and/or fitting? and any issues with fitting them in the boot when not needed?

I definately need a group2 (booster and back) rather than just a group3 (booster only).

I'm swinging by Mothercare tomorrow, but I was hoping for anyone with practical experience?

[bunglist]

M@H said:

antonyj said:

bunglist said:

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

What about the new rules about children under a certain height?

Exactly, and you're only talking £12-£15 for a basic "regulation" booster.

What about someone over the age of 12 years old but is only say 4'8" do they need booster seats........... NO they dont supposedly there bones are able to cope with an impact.

The law is a FG JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[chris_chim]

Jonathon
I see you are in Cambridge. I can recommend 'Nippers' now on the A10 at between Cambridge and Royston as they will make sure the seat fits well in your car (although the selection may be worse than mothercare). The britax seat I mentioned earlier was the only one that was a good fit in my S3 although it also works well in the chimaera.
Chris

[M@H]

bunglist said:

M@H said:

antonyj said:

bunglist said:

DO you have to go out and buy a booster seat could you not just use a cushion or two and save the cash, as it is only to raise the child enough to put the seat belt in the correct place!!!!!!!!!!

What about the new rules about children under a certain height?

Exactly, and you're only talking £12-£15 for a basic "regulation" booster.

What about someone over the age of 12 years old but is only say 4'8" do they need booster seats........... NO they dont supposedly there bones are able to cope with an impact.

The law is a FG JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

The legislative height is 4'5"

This legislation doesn't remove the parental responsibility to think about child safety ! If someone has a very short 12 year old (under 4'5" ) then they should not rely on the Govt to decide for them what is a "good idea" for their child, perhaps they should try and think for themselves. I think the law is a good guide, not that much of a Joke at all. If parents want to follow all the laws of the UK completely blindly without applying any common sense then I think that is a Joke!

Matt.

Edited by M@H on Wednesday 11th October 09:56

[jonathant]

FWIW, my local Mothercare has told me that a (group 2/3) Britax Hi-Liner should be fine in my Chimaera but also said that their Graco might not fit so well because its base is contoured differently.