Some cars are just not made for carseats!

[Niea]

I just bought a Scenara as a backup seat for DD. My parents will keep it in case they need to pick her up from daycare, etc.

Anyway, so I just had the pleasure of attempting to install it in one of their cars: a 1984 Mercedes wagon.

Install was

The belt buckle (male) is large and ungainly, the stalk buckle (female) is really long (not the belt, but the actual buckle housing). You can't twist the stalk, either, because it's got these thick rubber restraints to keep the female buckle from moving much. Plus, the belt doesn't pass easily through the buckle and there is this strange attachment on the belt that keeps both pieces (both the belt itself and the extra "loose" part) together tightly -- almost like a locking clip. Essentially, there's no way to get a good, tight install either RF or FF. And I didn't even want to try the outboard positions -- I'd have to use the locking clip, plus would still have the same issue with the female buckle. Blah.

So I just put it in their other car, a 1994 Suburban. I got a good install in the center, in about 5 min. The belts are much more modern and work well with car seats.

I just think the '84 Mercedes wasn't really designed with car seats in mind (well, duh) and I after trying the Scenara, I don't think I'd get any of my Britax seats installed well in it either.

But that's okay, my parents use both cars equally and didn't have a lot of preference as to which vehicle the seat was installed in. So we're good. . but whew!

 

[Patriot201]

I'm sorry you had such a hard time!!

Are the rubber things on the female end of the buckle removable? Usually they are.

 

[rlsadc]

well back then..car seat safety wasnt much of an issue...just strap em in and go...lol

 

[southpawboston]

yep, and for however strange those unweildy seatbelts look by today's standards, keep in mind that they were probably among the safest belts you could get 23 years ago!!!

 

[skaterbabs]

If the 2nd row center belt of your parent's Suburban is anything like the 2nd row center belt in my '93 Suburban (an automatic locking retractor lap-only belt), that's one of the easiest installations you'll ever do in your entire life. LOL

 

[flipper68]

I'd be curious about the Britax seats. [I'm a carseat freak so I'd have to at least try .]

I think they might work fine. The base is bigger and sits up higher so the long stalk isn't as big an issue. The built in lock off would also reduce your difficulties.