[LillianJacks]

I've just got a '08 Camry. I have a daughter who's only months old. My husband has a Hyundai Elantra, and it's not a very big car. So I want a car seat that could fit in there, too. But it's my Toyota that matters most.

As I understand, any car seat is supposed to fit any car, but that's not how it works in reality because people might have to move the front seat to accommodate the child's car seat, which is uncomfortable, and that might be a problem even for a Camry.

So... Any advice?

 

[hardtopte72]

My Camry fit a large infant car seat and booster seat with no issues, so long as the car seats are on the outside. The middle seat is not meant for a car seat.

 

[Kirie]

I've just got a '08 Camry. I have a daughter who's only months old. My husband has a Hyundai Elantra, and it's not a very big car. So I want a car seat that could fit in there, too. But it's my Toyota that matters most.

As I understand, any car seat is supposed to fit any car, but that's not how it works in reality because people might have to move the front seat to accommodate the child's car seat, which is uncomfortable, and that might be a problem even for a Camry.

So... Any advice?

I don't think there's a car where you could just install the car seat right behind you and forget about it (not that I imply you would or should forget about your child). It's just how they work. Of course, you could get a car seat for a small car but that would only help you so much. I think the difference is mere inches.

If I may, how tall are you? That's actually the most important question. Perhaps, you won't have to sacrifice anything at all if you're short enough... Although I suspect, that is simply not so. Anyway, if you install the seat in the middle, that should work too. Hey, that's how it's supposed to work!

Buckle children in the middle of the back seat when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/passengersafety/

If that's where you install the seat, you would have a little bit more space for yourself. Less than if you installed it behind the other seat but still. Every little bit helps.:wink:

Congratulations, by the way!

 

[Kirie]

The middle seat is not meant for a car seat.

Is that so? You must be speaking from your personal experience 'cause the CDC website explicitly says the opposite.

 

[dtownfb]

Rear facing car seats take up lots of room. You're best bet is to go to a Babies 'R Us or Burlington Coat Factory where you can try a couple car seats in your car. Also you will have to consider budget.

 

[hardtopte72]

Is that so? You must be speaking from your personal experience 'cause the CDC website explicitly says the opposite.

I'm speaking about practicality. If you install an infant seat in the middle, you cannot use the side seats for a normal person or other car seats, as the large infant seats take up a lot of room left to right. This may make it difficult or impossible to fit someone there. Since I had to carry more than one child, the middle seat was not practical.

Additionally, I'm 5'11 - 6' tall, and I was never obstructed by the cat seat behind me. The Camry has a lot of rear leg room. If someone is much taller, they probably have other problems anyway (headroom, legroom).

The safest position will obviously be the middle seat, but again the middle seat is not really made for car seats. There is a balance between maximum safety and utility. If not, you would never drive on the highway and you probably wouldn't own an 8-9 year old Camry which lacks some advanced safety features.

 

[LillianJacks]

Uhm... I'd hate to make people argue. So, the middle seat is safer, strictly speaking, but simply not the best choice because it's impractical?