Question 2009 Subaru Outback

PNR · May 24, 2010

Hello,

We have a 2009 Subaru Outback and a one-year old child. We are having issues with what rear-facing car seat to buy next. (Our son is currently in a Graco Snug-Ride but will grow out of it soon.) The issue is that with the seat installed, the front-seat passenger has absolutely no leg room.

Has anyone else faced this problem? If so, what car seats would you recommend buying for our particular car?

Many thanks,
PNR

MomToEliEm · May 25, 2010

Bumping this up in hopes that someone familiar with the 2009 Outback might have some suggestions on seats that install well.

If you can get the snugride installed, most likely you find you have more room with rearfacing convertible seats. At your sons age, he doesn't need to be reclined to 45 degrees. Most seats can be installed more upright between 30-45 degrees. With the more upright install, the carseat usually doesn't take up as room.

Can you tell us your son's weight and height? Which snugride is he using: 22lb, 32lb, 35lb version? Where is his head in relation to the top of the shell? Knowing that information might help figure out his torso height, which is helpful for figuring out which seats might work best for him.

PNR · May 25, 2010

Thank you, MomToEliEm, for promptly replying to my query.

We are currently using a 22 lb. model Snugride and my son is about 30" and is about 17.5 lbs. His head is close to the top of the shell.

We recently bought a Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL convertible car seat but had to return it because we couldn't fit it into the car without having the front seat be pushed all the way forward.

Any advice you have will be most appreciated.

Thanks again!

MomToEliEm · May 25, 2010

Do you have a Babies-R-Us store near you? If so, it might be good to go and try out some of their seats in your vehicle (they let you install them in your car to see how they work). The radian is a difficult seat to get installed more upright, so it might be good to try out some other seats like The First Years True Fit, Safety First Complete Air, Graco MyRide, Evenflo Triumph Advance, and Britax Marathon. Hopefully if you play with some of the seats, you will find one that installs well and gives you more leg room for that front passenger seat.

NewEngland · May 25, 2010

I have a 2006 Subaru Outback, which I think is similar to a 2009. I have a RFing TF installed. I've gotten it installed outboard behind both driver and front passenger seats. Unfortunately, I've not gotten a good install in the middle, but that might be due to my lack of patience. I'm 5'4" and it fits behind me fine (at a 35 deg. angle, can't comment on infant recline with the top on), but DH is 6' and can't drive or ride with it behind him.

Without the top headrest, it can be easily installed at a 45 degree angle outboard and is smaller than the SR22. I definitely recommend going to a Buy Buy Baby or a Babies R Us and trying out some carseats, if you can.

PNR · May 26, 2010

Thanks to both of you for your helpful suggestions. I think the best idea would be for us to go to a Babies 'R Us and try out seats until we find a good one that fits well.

I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'7" so I guess we will always have some issues.

To NewEngland, does "TF" stand for "True Fit," as in "First Year's True Fit"? And what does SR22 refer to?

Thanks again.

wendytthomas · May 26, 2010

TF is the True Fit. Either First Years, Learning Curve, or Compass, they're all the same company.

SR22 is Snugride 22. That's what you have now. It used to just be the Snugride, then they came out with the Snugride 32 briefly, then the Snugride 35 is out right now, and I hear the Snugride 30 is coming. So we generally call your seat the Snugride 22 to reduce confusion.

Wendy

MomToEliEm · May 26, 2010

PNR said:
To NewEngland, does "TF" stand for "True Fit," as in "First Year's True Fit"? And what does SR22 refer to?

You will have to excuse all the abbreviations we use here. I am sure it can be confusing to new posters.
TF is The First Years True Fit
SR22 is the Graco SnugRide 22 seat

This post might help if you see any other abbreviations you are unclear of:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9550

PNR · May 26, 2010

Thanks again to everybody. Wish us luck!

redsox_baby · May 26, 2010

We have an 08 Outback. After the Snugride, we used our Britax Marathons RFing behind he passenger seat. While it was certainly "cozy" up front, it was certainly workable

Question 2009 Subaru Outback

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