Infant car seat in Acura TL

I'm due in January and I'm looking for an infant car seat w/ base. I have a 1999 Acura TL and it seems like all the bases extend over the back seat into the space between the back and front seats. Is this okay? Also, I have an almost 7 year old who is still in a booster seat so I can't put the infant seat in the middle (too hard to latch the seat belt while in the booster). My daughter is 48" tall and about 46 lbs fully clothed and shod so she's not the biggest thing on the planet and I think she would be more comfortable in her booster. Anyway, the TL has quasi bucket seats and when I install the bases, they flip up. My car doesn't have a latch system. Any advice on the best infant seat for this car? Of course I would love to have a new car but finances won't allow it. When my daughter was an infant, the bases were much smaller and I didn't have nearly this much trouble finding a car seat.

Thanks,
Susan

If you go to Babies R Us they will allow you to take seats out to your car. You can see how they fit in your car and then let that help you decide.

As long as 80% of the base is on the seat you're good to go. A little lip hanging over is fine.

If the angle is too upright you can use a pool noodle to help it tilt up, but I wouldn't do that without a CPST the first time. Too bad there isn't a CPST shopping service where someone could go with you to BRU and test it out in your car to make sure it's compatible. LOL I would never trust what someone at BRU says unless they show you their SafeKids certification card.

Kudos to you for keeping your seven year old in a booster!!! She needs to stay until she passes <a href="http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm">the five step test</a>. Or at the very least until the laws of your state. You're right, she's probably more comfortable in a seat that fits her.

Wendy

You can also use an infant seat without the base (a couple models don't allow this, be sure to make sure yours does). Or use a convertible seat (rear-facing, of course) from birth. Some work well, with nice, low bottom slots to fit newborns, while others don't fit most babies well until they're older.

The carseat compatibility database (Carseat Data website closed - link broken) has two successful entries for a Graco SnugRide with base in a 1999 Acura TL, both in the middle and outboard on the driver's side.

The center rear position is preferred. There is less risk of injury in the event of a side impact. The extra effort to latch the seat belt while in the booster may very well be worth it in the event of a side impact to the 'vacant' side of the car. The Graco SafeSeat is an excellent product and would be worth your consideration for the newborn. If the funds are available and there are no fitment issues you may could even put DD in a Radian which harnesses to 65# and is narrow enough that it may fit in the center position next to the RF outboard infant carrier that you choose.

If you are interested in a narrower CSS that harnesses for your DD then check this out.The manufacturer's website list the overall dimensions as 28.5"H x 17"W x 16"D, but the seat base is even narrower than the 17" overall width (seat base is more like 14"). Below is a link, go there for more dimensions. Scroll down to near the bottom of the page to find the dimensions and click on the red text whichreads "Click to view Radian Dimensions" to view a picture with more dimensions listed. Check out the Radian for yourself on the manufacturer's website:

http://skjp.com/products/index.php?v=cat&cid=5&name=Car Seats

The Radian is only $179.00 here with free shipping.

http://carseats.babycatalog.com/infant-to-toddler-convertible-car- seats/radian-car-seat/radian.html

HTH