Best toddler car seat for an older car without latch & tether?

[Kristal]

What is a good car seat for the grandparents that drive a 1995 Mustang convertible 2 door?

My son that's 2.5 year old is 36" tall and weighs 32 lbs. His torso is a bit longer so he tends to bust out of the height restriction of things well before he hits the weight limit.

My mother-in-law is very petite so it would be good to have a seat that's fairly light, easy to install with a seat belt. She will be using it about 1 x per week, so will be moving it in & out once a week. It's possible that I could install it for her if needed if something heavier is the best option.

My MIL said its much easier for her to get kids in & out if the seat is rear facing. Also her car doesn't even have a tether hook, so I'm not sure if there's even a forward facing seat that doesn't require a tether.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Good news! With no tether anchor, the safest option is to rear face as long as possible, preferably to 5 or 6 when they are ready for a booster.
There are now seats that go to 50 lbs. rear facing, but if you have a long torso, tall skinny child, it's unlikely you'll make it to 50 in most if any of them.
As I recall, something with a higher narrow base does better in a Mustang of that era, and a lockoff is helpful. You could look at the Graco Triogrow SnugLock (https://carseatblog.com/49223/gracotriogrowreview/) or the Britax ClickTight convertibles, both of which are very very tall and have 40 lb rear facing limits but are compact enough and shaped to possibly fit a Mustang well.
There are a few options if you look at the growth charts and decide 50 lbs rear facing might be needed, but they may not be as easy to install.
(Unfortunately I'm not sure light and easy to install in this vehicle will coincide.)

 

[kristalb]

Good news! With no tether anchor, the safest option is to rear face as long as possible, preferably to 5 or 6 when they are ready for a booster.
There are now seats that go to 50 lbs. rear facing, but if you have a long torso, tall skinny child, it's unlikely you'll make it to 50 in most if any of them.
As I recall, something with a higher narrow base does better in a Mustang of that era, and a lockoff is helpful. You could look at the Graco Triogrow SnugLock (https://carseatblog.com/49223/gracotriogrowreview/) or the Britax ClickTight convertibles, both of which are very very tall and have 40 lb rear facing limits but are compact enough and shaped to possibly fit a Mustang well.
There are a few options if you look at the growth charts and decide 50 lbs rear facing might be needed, but they may not be as easy to install.
(Unfortunately I'm not sure light and easy to install in this vehicle will coincide.)

Thank you! I'll have to go with what I can it seems in terms of weight.