Booster/seatbelt compatibility issue

[Lenae]

DH has an '03 Pontiac Vibe as his commuter car, but I've been needing to drive it lately. The seatbelt comes out from the 'wall' of the car, so it's more to the side than behind, unlike my Malibu and DH's pickup. Colton has a ProBooster, Performance Booster, and Parkway SGL. None of these are working. Colton is getting frustrated because the belt won't pull easily. I have to pull slack from between the back of the booster and the car wall, then pull the slack across Colton to buckle, if that makes. The SGL seems to be the worst because the back of the booster pulls forward when he tries to pull the belt. The backs aren't as wiggly on the Recaro boosters, so they are ever so slightly better, but not by much, he still can't buckle on his own in that car. He turns 7 in a few days, so I guess I could put him in a backless, but he and I both prefer highback.

Are there any boosters out there that are known to play well with side mounted seatbelts? Having a deep seat would be a plus as well, since Colton's thighs are already longer than the seat pan of the Performance Booster, and it's a fairly deep seat.

 

[Mary_Ann]

Do you have the 2013 SGL or the previous model? The new one plays better with that kind of shoulder belt.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

Hmm.. What about a Cambria? The guides on that look more angled to the side, if that makes sense.

 

[nannykates]

I would give the evenflo big kid/amp high back a try. Or maybe the center geometry is different?

 

[Lenae]

Do you have the 2013 SGL or the previous model? The new one plays better with that kind of shoulder belt.

It is the newer version.

Hmm.. What about a Cambria? The guides on that look more angled to the side, if that makes sense.

I hate the look of the Cambria, but I'm willing to give it a try. Is it in stores anywhere?

I would give the evenflo big kid/amp high back a try. Or maybe the center geometry is different?

There is only a lap belt center. Colton has used the Evenflo booster before and he hated it.

 

[Mary_Ann]

Maybe the Harmony Dreamtime or the First years Compass?

 

[Lenae]

My mom keeps a Dreamtime in her car for the grand kids, I could try that out pretty easily. I'm going to look at some pictures of the Compass booster and eyeball the belt guide. I'm starting to feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. Ugh.

 

[Mary_Ann]

There was a thread about the Compass in the 3rd row of a Mazda5. Those seatbelts are worst!