What convertible carseat will fit in my Saab 93?

[tinytoy]

I drive a 2003 Saab 93. DD is 4 mo old, 12.5 lbs and almost 25" long and I've started thinking about convertible car seats. The SnugRide infant seat that she's in now just barely fits in the back of my Saab. I can only make it work because I'm short and don't need my driver's seat pushed back too far. The main issue is the carry bar; I have a hard time moving it back out of carry position because my driver's seat gets in the way. Anyhow, I am wondering ... when it's time to move to convertible, should I expect the Evenflo Triumph DLX to fit? Are convertibles generally a better fit in smaller cars because they don't have the carry bar and aren't as reclined, or are they bigger and present a greater risk of not fitting? I went to BRU and asked but all the sales associate was able to tell me was that they would let me try the seats in my car before buying, which I wasn't prepared to do at the time.

I definitely want to get the Evenflo Triumph because it has the best ratings along with the Britax Roundabout , bit is priced significantly lower than the Britax. Of course, if the Britax Roundabout fits better I will go with that.

Anyone have experience fitting one of these convertibles in a small sedan like a Saab 93?

Oh, I am also confused by Consumer Reports because they call the seat a "Evenflo Triumph 5." I see there's a such thing as the Triumph and the Tribute 5, but not Triumph 5. Anyone know?

[joolsplus3]

First is the good news: you can leave the handle up when you put the Graco in the car. 'positon A' is perfectly acceptable when driving (that's the carry position, your manual isn't very clear, though, unless you know what you're reading for).
Second, I think the Triumph (5 was just an add on name) is discontinued in favor of the Triumph Advance, which is a much taller seat, but also much better overall than the old Triumphs.
Third, you're right, even 'huge' looking convertible seats fit about the same or with more room for front passengers, so the Britax Marathon or Recaro Como would also be terrific choices, since you aren't too tall in front of them :) (Consumer Reports hasn't done a carseat test in a while, and their major downfall is that they factor in price to their ratings, which makes the Triumph, which was a poor fit to many kids and many cars, looks better than the Britaxes...though Britaxes tend to fit more cars and more kids MUCH better).
I think www.carseatdata.com might have some compatibility data for your model car, but I don't really think anything won't work, if that makes sense. :)

[Melizerd]

You might be glad to know that a lot of convertibles take up less room front to back then an infant seat because as the child gets older they don't need the full 45 degree recline, anywhere between 30-45 degrees is acceptable.

You can also head to your local BRU and try the seats out in your car to see how you like them.

[tinytoy]

Great. Thanks for the info. I forgot about that compatibility website. Anyhow, when I do the search the only rear-facing seat that comes up is the SnugRide infant seat. Everything else that comes up says "forward facing", incl. the Britax Roundabout. I wonder if this means I'll have trouble getting a convertible to fit when rear-facing, or that this just wasn't tried. I guess I won't know for sure until I try them out at BRU. The sales associate at BRU did tell me that the convertibles need to be reclined when rear-facing so I'm afraid this might be a problem for me.

Also, I am pretty sure my SnugRide manual said I have to have the handlebar lowered when driving. I have to check again.

[joolsplus3]

Probably just no one tried those seats RF in that car to put in the database.
The manual really is vague, but it only says B, C, and D positions can't be used when driving.
I just really think you won't have a problem..usually the Marathon takes up the same or less space than the Snugride, even RF :)

[myliljunebugs]

I took my dd from her snugride to a Marathon when she was almost a year. At the time we drove a Mitsubishi Diamante (small car) and it had more space than the snugride! Yes, convertables do have to be reclined when rear facing, but not as much as an infant carrier, the carrier is at a 45* angle, whereas the convertible can be between 30* and 45*. Good luck in your shopping! :)

[tinytoy]

Update - fitted the Britax Boulevard and confirmed it does technically fit RF in the Saab, but it is so tall it obstructs my view out the back window. So, that being the case, we bought 1 Boulevard for our Explorer and went with the Diplomat for the Saab. Hoping to keep her RF as long as possible and hoping she doesn't outgrow the Diplomat too soon. Had to make this decision when considering our safety overall. thanks for the advise!