My question is what 5 point harness car seat for a 5 year old, 40 pounds child will fit into a 07 VW beetle?

Question

After doing some research we decided not to use just a lap/shoulder belt type booster seat, but so far cannot find a seat for our child that will work! please help!

Answer 1

I found that this one will fit but it done not show it for a 2007 only 2005 and 2006 but check it out if you like..........................

Graco - SafeSeat.............................

http://www.gracobaby.com/products/catego...

Answer 2

Its rear facing seats that can be tricky in small cars - I don't see why a forward facing seat should be troublesome.

At 5 years old and 40lbs, that does severly narrow down the choices (I should know, my son hit 40lbs just after his 3rd birthday, and is now the weight and height of most 5 year olds at 45lbs and 44 inches tall!)

1)Britax Regent - this is the biggest of the group, but keep in mind that is widest - as long as 80% of the bottom of the child seat is on your vehicle's seat, allowing a 20% overhang or so, you are fine fit wise. This seat will keep kids harnessed longer than any other options because of 20" top slots and and 80lbs weight limit. However, it does not become a booster, and is the most expensive option at $269 (though sometimes can be found a little cheaper - get 4% cash back by signing up with ebates.com for free and purchasing from babyage.com) Awesome incredibly comfy long lasting seat. I'm very happy with my son's. Its one of only 2 seats on the market that fit him!

2)Graco Nautilus - $150, can be a little hard to find b/c it just hit the shelves in January and is wildly popular. check walmart supercenters (the regular walmarts aren't carrying it) or walmart online (do site to store for free shipping) and baby depot and amazon.com. Harnesses to 65lbs and then becomes a great booster and then a backless booster. Awesome easy to use seat, especially for the price. Easily one of the highest quality seats Graco has ever made.

3)Safety1st Apex65/Signature Biltmore: I don't like this seat as much, but its slightly cheaper, online some places for $130 or $99 occasionally. Harnesses to 65lbs, but complaints about the buckle arise b/c 1)its short - you can order a longer crotch strap from Dorel and 2)the buckle is pointy. With this seat - your vehicle's headrests MUST go at least as high as the middle of Apex's headrests in fully extended position. The seat has absolutely not support in the back, and requires the support of your vehicle's seat. Fairly flimsy seat, though, for $50 more I'd go with the Nautilus.

4)Sunshine Kids Radian65/Radian80. The Radian65 and Radian80 are the EXACT SAME seat!!! Just one is tested to 65lbs, and one is tested to 80lbs, ridiculous. They have the same 18" top slot height, and same exact functions. Its a very narrow seat, but that could backfire at some point. My son was already uncomfortable in the one he sat in b/c the seat was so narrow. Don't spend the extra on a Radian80, get the 65. Also, definitely a try before you buy if at all possible - it can be tricky to install, and if you have forward of the bight seatbelts (if the female end of your belts doesn't come out of the seat crack, but in front of it) it likely won't work.

That's about it. There's a few promising ones that are supposed to come out soon (Britax Frontier is one) but they're not out yet. Remember: you can only use LATCH to 48lbs and then you MUST use the seatbelt to install the seat. This is important to remember when shopping around - make sure the seat will work with the seatbelt, too. Kudos to you for doing your research and keeping your kiddo harnessed!

Answer 3

Go here: http://newbeetle.org

Many NB owners there are parents, and they keep telling us that they CAN fit seats in there. Use the search feature, and you'll find some threads with suggestions of brands.