General F*@!ing Isofix

[Lil_G]

Hi everyone.

I have searched and read various posts on here but what I need to know is what Isofix 9month - 4 years seat are you using in the back? (one person mentioned Maxi Cosy Tobi but google says its not isofix)

I currently use a maxi cosy priory in the front (not isofix), I wanted to get this for the back (isofix) but the maxi cosy website says they don't have any seats suitable for a 500. So then I looked at the Britax Duo but you need a top tether and the reviews say it takes up a lot of boot space?? I don't even know what one is!?

All I want is a good brand isofix that reclines for 9months - 4 years (preferably in red )

I suppose the easiest way is to go to mothercare and try them but I did hope to buy on kiddicare as it's a lot cheaper. Is it cheeky to choose one at mothercare and say you'll come back to buy another time?

As someone said on another thread, Isofix was supposed to make things easier??

Cheers

 

[Lil_G]

btw I have contacted the dealer and Fiat and neither can help...

 

[Heidi]

i had the maxi cosy priori fit isofix seat in my 500. It was the one that is isofix plus has the foot strut. Fitted perfectly in the back. Not a cheap seat but it reclines, is easy to take apart to remove sick lol and my son liked sleeping in it! Hope that helps.

As for trying seats out, go for it! Its only like trying clothes on in shops but not buying! Personally i'd go to halfords, thats where i went to get/try ours and they are really helpful.

 

[Lil_G]

Cheers Heidi

That's the seat I wanted after all so will go and try it today... and not rely on manufacturers websites as much!

 

[Heidi]

It was the car seat we had when we went to test drive the 500 and so we tried it in the 500 before we signed the paperwork (also tried my buggy in the boot too!). In the end I never ended up using it as during the wait for the car my son moved to the booster type seat. But I wouldn't have ordered the car unless the original seat had fitted (and I'm a real fusspot when it comes to car seats and fitting correctly!).

I'd go to Halfords though - very friendly and they don't mind how many seats you try and whether you eventually buy or not

NB : on the maxi cosi website it doesn't list the 500 yet when you go to the car fitting list so you'd have needed to go check it anyway.

 

[white 500]

go to you'r Local toys r us all the "baby's r us" staff are britax trained on car seat fitting they will fit as many seats as you like in you'r car till you and them are happy

 

[YouKnowWho]

We have a Maxi Cosi PrioriFix in the main car - this is an ISOFIX car seat with a supporting leg. I tried fitting this into the 500 and the support leg meant that the front passenger seat had to be too far forward.

I tried the non-Isofix versions of the PrioriFix which are the Maxi Cosi XP and the Maxi Cosi Priori. However both are too big for the seat.

I eventually tried the Britax Duo Plus ISOFIX - which is one of the first car ISOFIX car seats - and does not use a support leg - but uses a Top-Tether which loops over the rear seat and clicks into the back.

Whilst the Britax Duo Plus ISOFIX is not as good as my PrioriFix - it fits perfectly into the 500. I can take pictures if needed. It also reclines.

On an seperate note - looking at the 500's manual and NCAP website - it appears the 500 was crash tested with a Britax Duo Plus ISOFIX

 

[Melanabb]

I had Bebe confort one (9months-4 years- sorry forgot the name ) and it fits perfectly as well (no foot, just extra belt for top tether which you clip in the booth) and now we have Evolution 2-3 for my very tall 3 and a half year old! Hope this helps as I can see the thread is a bit old...

 

[306maxi]

I had Bebe confort one (9months-4 years- sorry forgot the name ) and it fits perfectly as well (no foot, just extra belt for top tether which you clip in the booth) and now we have Evolution 2-3 for my very tall 3 and a half year old! Hope this helps as I can see the thread is a bit old...

When are you expecting the other 3 and a half year old?

 

[pearce_jj]

Maxicosi Tobi does fit, but it touches the rear A-pillars which isn't ideal.

For the benefit of the search, I've just got a pair of Britax Evolva Adventure seats from Mothercare (age 4+) - superb at £44 each and don't touch any bodywork (also being 42cm wide they fit three-across in the Citroen C4P ).

 

[Melanabb]

When are you expecting the other 3 and a half year old?

In 4 years

 

[YouKnowWho]

Hi everyone.

I have searched and read various posts on here but what I need to know is what Isofix 9month - 4 years seat are you using in the back? (one person mentioned Maxi Cosy Tobi but google says its not isofix)

I currently use a maxi cosy priory in the front (not isofix), I wanted to get this for the back (isofix) but the maxi cosy website says they don't have any seats suitable for a 500. So then I looked at the Britax Duo but you need a top tether and the reviews say it takes up a lot of boot space?? I don't even know what one is!?

All I want is a good brand isofix that reclines for 9months - 4 years (preferably in red )

I suppose the easiest way is to go to mothercare and try them but I did hope to buy on kiddicare as it's a lot cheaper. Is it cheeky to choose one at mothercare and say you'll come back to buy another time?

As someone said on another thread, Isofix was supposed to make things easier??

Cheers

Hi Lil_G

The Maxi Cosi Priorifix which is the only Maxi Cosi with Isofix for the age group mentioned does fit - but the front seat is unusable. Therefore in my humble opinion is not suitable. Generally - all the Maxi Cosi (isofix and non-isofix) are too big - as the base is very large.

The Britax Duo with Isofix fits perfectly - the top tether uses no boot space. its just used to lash it down. If you look at the back of your seat, you will see an isofix like hoop of metal visible from the boot. This is what the top tether attaches to.

I will take some pictures for you and then you can see what I am mean.

 

[Heidi]

You dont have to buy a car seat with either a foot strut or a top tether .... there are makes on the market that just isofix clip into the car with no tethering, my mum had one in her mini. I used to use the seat belt operation (i.e. that you do on non-isofix cars) as well as using isofix for double security. We only got the foot strut one because we had a PT Cruiser at the time and therefore lots of room.

It's so great when you get away from these huge car seats and onto booster seats - they are great in the 500 (my son is now sitting in the front with me and it's great when he falls asleep because I can just recline the passenger seat a bit and therefore no head rolling!) I have to say that I do regret a bit spending the huge sum on the supposedly 9 months to 4 years car seat only to find my son moved to a booster seat at 2 years 5 months old! It's worth bearing that in mind before you fork out hundreds of pounds for a seat that you may only get less than 2 years use out of!

 

[YouKnowWho]

I have taken some pictures of the Isofix car seat and attached these so you can see how well it fits.

I won't get into the debate of Isofix Vs Seat Belt - but my preference is definately Isofix - and as you can see - it is possible to get a seat that isnt too big for the 500.

It is attached by a top tether - which lashes to the back. You can get isofix that does not need this - but in my opinion if you are getting isofix it should either have a top tether or a support leg