Smaller Carseat?

Updated on February 01, 2011
L.A. asks from Denver, CO
7 answers

Hello all! My parents watch my 2 year old son 2-4 days per week. They have a 1995 Ford Winstar van. They asked me to buy them a car seat for their van in case they decide to run errands or take my son somewhere when they are watching him. I bought them the same car seat that my husband and I each have -- Graco My Ride Convertible 65. However....the car seat doesn't fit in the van. We have tried every configuration (second row and third row) we can think of and it doesn't fit.

Do you know of any "smaller" car seats? My guess is that car seats were smaller back in 1995.....and now with more safety features and stuff, they are larger now. Have you had problems installing a new car seat in an old car?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the feedback! We got a Cosco Scenera car seat and it fit perfectly :)

More Answers

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E.C.

answers from San Francisco on

there *are* some smaller car seats - the Combi Coccoro comes to mind, but it's a bit pricey and its small size means it'd be outgrown sooner than the MyRide, not what you'd want for an occasional use seat for the grandparents! I second what BeckyW said about finding a local CPST to help you with the install - you can also try posting at the forums of http://www.car-seat.org - many of the regulars there are certified techs and I'm confident that at least one of them has experience installing convertible seats in a '95 Windstar. Good luck!

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C.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

Try calling your local firestation-one that does car seat checks. I bet they can make a rec.

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Sunshine Kids Radian car seat is the slimmest they make (highly rated too), but they cost around $200!!!!!

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Find a CPST at www.safekids.org to help you install the car seat in their car. The MyRide is an average sized seat and it should fit, you may just need help with some things that are allowed and you don't know. Like for a 2yr old rear facing the seat can be as upright at 30 degrees, not a deep recline.

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

Maybe go by your local fire station and see if they can install it properly

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Provo on

When we asked the techs for recommendations on a smaller seat, the answers were to go with either the Radian or the Cosco Scenera. It amazed me that the answers were either the $200 seat or the $40 seat. We needed a smaller one and didn't have $200 to spend, so we went with the Cosco Scenera. LOVE it. And it's ratings are great!

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