Car Seat for 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS

[lenny285]

I know I will need to give the floor models a test run in the tiny backseat of my 2003 Mitsubish Eclipse before I make my purchase. However, I was wondering if anyone could give me a couple models as a starting point. My wife is due Nov. 29th, and we are looking to make the car seat purchase soon, and have it checked by an expert. Any advice beyond getting a different vehicle would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Lonnie

[JoolsPlus3]

LOL, oh, go on, I can't tell you to go out and buy a nice new Camry or Odyssey or something equally boring?

Seriously, I'd try the Chicco Key Fit, Combi Connection, or Combi Centre, or Graco Snugride for infant seats (these have the benefit that you can leave the handle up when driving, which can spare you a few precious inches of front leg room), and if none of those work, I'd try a Britax Roundabout, which is a convertible you can use from birth and is notorious for easily fitting in most cars rearfacing and forward facing.

Good luck, post back if something works! www.seatcheck.org may show a tech local to you who can help.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

	Chicco Key Fit - Click for more info The new and improved Chicco KeyFit infant car seat (dubbed the Chicco KeyFit 30 thanks to its enhanced-to-30 lbs harness) has the same great features of the original KeyFit, but with a higher harness weight capacity. It is recommended that a child stay in a rear facing car seat for at least the first year of his or her life, and this infant seat from Chicco assures that your child will.

	Combi - Click for more info Established in 1954, Combi quickly became Japan's premier supplier of Juvenile products. Their design philosophy is actually behind their name - COMBI is a contraction of the word "combination," which denotes "combination of parent and child." Combi has been supplying the US with innovative light weight strollers for 15 years. In 2003 they entered the US market with car seats built with the same design philosophy that has guided their company for years.

	Combi Centre DX - Click for more info The Combi Centre DX w/ ARB (Anti Rebound Bar) is a safe and comfortable mid-range infant carseat from our safety-centered friends at Combi. Lightweight and fashion forward, Combi car seats are a step above Graco seats in terms of quality and ease of installation, and offer certain distinct features like the anti-rebound bar (see "Safety" below) that enhance the seat's safety.

	Combi Connection LX - Click for more info Combi is a household name in Japan--and across the globe--with years of experience in the car seat industry. The Combi Connection LX is the elite car seat model in Combi's strong line of infant safety seats -- with a complete list of comfort and safety features, plus a great look and light carrier.

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

[Iluvbabies57]

woohoo, another carseat board for me to get addicted to lol.

I agree with Julie. I would try the keyfit first probably, because it is so easy to install and use (and it is pretty small). I don't have any experience with the combi's, but I know I didn't care for my snugride when my dd was little.

Oh and I can fit a rearfacing britax marathon in the back of a chevy cobalt (two door) so with some messing around, I bet you will be able to fit an infant seat in your backseat.

Lara

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Chicco Key Fit - Click for more info The new and improved Chicco KeyFit infant car seat (dubbed the Chicco KeyFit 30 thanks to its enhanced-to-30 lbs harness) has the same great features of the original KeyFit, but with a higher harness weight capacity. It is recommended that a child stay in a rear facing car seat for at least the first year of his or her life, and this infant seat from Chicco assures that your child will.

	Combi - Click for more info Established in 1954, Combi quickly became Japan's premier supplier of Juvenile products. Their design philosophy is actually behind their name - COMBI is a contraction of the word "combination," which denotes "combination of parent and child." Combi has been supplying the US with innovative light weight strollers for 15 years. In 2003 they entered the US market with car seats built with the same design philosophy that has guided their company for years.

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

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[lenny285]

Thanks for all your help. I ended up deciding I liked the Chicco Keyfit from your reccomendations and my research before I went to make my purchase. I was especially impressed with their video showing ease of installation and use on the Babies "R" Us website. I went to Babies "R" Us and took the floor model out to my car. I liked the size and it did fit into the back behind the passenger seat without any problem. I had no problems installing the base, and then the seat clicks right in. So I bought the travel system with the Cortina stroller. Thanks again for the advice and many blessings to all.

Lonnie

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

	Chicco Key Fit - Click for more info The new and improved Chicco KeyFit infant car seat (dubbed the Chicco KeyFit 30 thanks to its enhanced-to-30 lbs harness) has the same great features of the original KeyFit, but with a higher harness weight capacity. It is recommended that a child stay in a rear facing car seat for at least the first year of his or her life, and this infant seat from Chicco assures that your child will.

[NDLav1]

Im so glad I found this-- thats the exact model Im looking at too.. So it fit well in the back of your Eclipse? Do you STILL like it? Did you get the travel system, or just the seat? Ive got a 2002 Millenia and I swear, my nieces big old Graco will NOT fit in the back seat.. I cant afford the Britax right now- but still want everyone to be comfy in the car withOUT jeprodizing the carseat..

Nicki

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

[lenny285]

I ended up getting the Chicco Cortina Travel System which comes with the Cortina Stroller and KeyFit Infant Seat. It fit in my 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT the best. I have to slide the passenger front seat forward to allow room for the car seat, but someone can still safely sit in the passenger front seat with the infant seat in the back. My son is still a few weeks away from birth, but I believe I made the right choice.

Lonnie

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

	Chicco Key Fit - Click for more info The new and improved Chicco KeyFit infant car seat (dubbed the Chicco KeyFit 30 thanks to its enhanced-to-30 lbs harness) has the same great features of the original KeyFit, but with a higher harness weight capacity. It is recommended that a child stay in a rear facing car seat for at least the first year of his or her life, and this infant seat from Chicco assures that your child will.