New Mom in a New Beetle

[ashjohnson80]

Hello everyone. I've been driving my yellow New Beetle since 2004. I absolutely love it and have no plans of getting rid of it like everyone says that I should do now that I'm pregnant. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for strollers that fold up well and fit into the beetle or car seats things like that. Thanks!

[marvins_dad]

Congrats!

For car seats check this search...
http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/sear...earchid=524995

[ashjohnson80]

thanks marvin's dad! do you happen to remember what brand rear facing car seat you had? It looks like it fit better than the graco car seat I just tried in my car. Also do you remember if the base went over the seat a bit? I never realized that the seat in the back was so short.

[marvins_dad]

It was a Graco carrier with a separate base that stays in the car.
When we decided he needed a full size car seat we got a Graco that could be installed rear facing until a year old.

I never had a problem with the base or the rear facing full size seat in the beetle.
The full size one in the rear facing position will render the passenger seat basically useless though. I think I had to have it(pass. seat) as far forward as I could get it to go so I didn't have any passangers for that period other than my little guy. I was so glad when that year milestone came so I could turn it normally (forward facing)

[marvins_dad]

I knew I took some photos when it was rear facing because I knew this question would come up again and I thought it would be the best way to illustrate what you have to do to have a rear facing full size car seat....

[ashjohnson80]

Thanks for the pictures and everything! I don't think it will be a problem for the passenger's seat to be useless. When I drive the beetle it will just be me and the little one. Otherwise we'll take my husband's toyota rav 4 and my mother has also got an extra car seat for her car. I've just been worried because I do not want to give up my beetle and everyones been saying you know, "i don't know...." So its good to see someone who made it work.

[marvins_dad]

Yeah - it was just me and him during that time. We have an Element for the family car.

If you use a base and a carrier at first you shouldn't have too many problems getting them in and out of the car because the passanger seat folds up and out of the way.

Now that he is older it does take me stepping into be back with one leg to get him out with the seat turned frontwards (is that a word), but with our seats being able to fold out of the way it isn't too much of an inconvinince (sp?)

[shellbug]

Combi strollers fold up pretty small, I loved the one I had.

[Ringo*]

UH-OH now I am worried!! My sister is having a baby in October and I am in charge of driving her home from the hospital! We will have to test her car seat out and see if its possible. I am thinking she might have to sit in the back next to the carseat.

[bgleah]

If you go to babysrus they'll let you try the carseats out in your car. Even if you decide to buy elsewhere, it'll give you a good idea of what to get. I didn't get my beetle until my daughter was 2 and in a toddler seat. So I can't recommend any. But I suggest that you invest in a seat protector. They're like $10 at walmart and target and it's a good investment. carseats can wear down your seats pretty quickly and the protectors also help with mess. as we all know kids can make big ones. Also, the carseats with the bases that stay in the car come in handy when you have a 2 door car.makes getting it in and out ALOT faster and easier.