We are looking to buy an element. I am in love with this car. Anyone know if a baby seat will fit easily in the back seat?. My wife is "expecting" and we are doing the SUV search.. We want to go "element " as we are loyal honda people... Any info woudl be great...
dictator
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I didn't know there was a % that could hang over...
We have the Graco Snug Ride 32. We put it behind the drivers seat. That way, the driver cannot access the baby, driving is safer that way as it forces you to pull over to give your baby attention.
I don't recall having a problem with the base hanging over the seat. The Graco and as implied by the name, the Chicco are both infant seats. You will need a rear facing convertible seat eventually. Please be aware that rear facing is much safer beyond just the first year. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9916868)
I don't think you'll have a problem with 2 car seats in the back. I've had the infant seat in the car with the other seat folded up and it fit just fine.
Our infant seat is one of those stroller system seats. My little one is about to graduate up to a convertible seat. It doesn't look any wider than the seat he uses now.
There are 2 latch points in each of the rear passenger seats and IIRC two latch points in the roof.
Just be aware that getting a car seat in and out of the E is a little more work. It's not too bad but some people can't tolerate the extra 30 seconds it takes to maneuver around the clam shell doors.
Our infant seat is one of those stroller system seats. My little one is about to graduate up to a convertible seat. It doesn't look any wider than the seat he uses now.
There are 2 latch points in each of the rear passenger seats and IIRC two latch points in the roof.
Just be aware that getting a car seat in and out of the E is a little more work. It's not too bad but some people can't tolerate the extra 30 seconds it takes to maneuver around the clam shell doors.
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two is easy.
Reaching back there trying to stuff a big fat baby into a large rear facing child seat ain't so easy.
At least when they face front, the buggers can't kick the back of the front seats.
Reaching back there trying to stuff a big fat baby into a large rear facing child seat ain't so easy.
At least when they face front, the buggers can't kick the back of the front seats.
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10 Posts
Car seat (kids) review
Just joined but have had my element quite a while (2004). I have some experience with car seats in the thing and wanted to share.
I can't rave enough about the Britax Marathon convertible seat. This seat is meant to go from baby (once they are out of the "bucket" carseat) up to 65 lbs with the 5 point harness. Where most car seats max out at 40 lbs, this one will give you another couple years of 5-point harness safety - and kid straightjacket style captivity, which can't be beat on long trips.
Forward facing in the Element, the profile fits perfect. This is a BIG car seat, but it fits great in my E backseat. I have it on the passenger side since I'm driving alone with the kid most of the time and reaching is easier. You can use Latch for a tight and easy install in the E, or of course the seat belt.
This seat sits up nice and high, so my child can SEE where we are going - and since he's a little guy, tell me where to turn :roll: He has lately started asking me to drive faster and install "blasters" on the front of the car.
I have the "Cowmooflage" print (that's what they call it). LOVE the print. How could you go wrong with a cow print carseat? The cover comes off and you can wash it. The company also sells replacement covers. They have solid colors to choose from too (black, tan, gray, girly prints). They also make the base and straps in black. You can easily order replacement straps if there is something disgusting that occurs.
I have some pics of it in the Element, figured I'd share in case anyone is in the market for a car seat. This seat gets heavy duty wear and tear, and it can take it. the seat is like 4 years old at this point. Holding up well. Britax also gets the highest crash ratings out there.
You can see the rear tether anchors to the top bolt, so you're not blocking the trunk and can still haul plenty of stuff in the trunk
![Image]()
the kind of abuse goes on back there. This is called "but I was just sharing my milk with the dog."
![Image]()
sunroof blasts the light.. I'd use a sunroof shield with a baby back there
![Image]()
adding a few more pics
This dog REALLY wants this seat.
![Image]()
as soon as the kid is dropped off at preschool, the dogs take over. The one dog rides in the carseat every chance he gets. They also chew the kid's teddy bear and then intentionally sit on it.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Just joined but have had my element quite a while (2004). I have some experience with car seats in the thing and wanted to share.
I can't rave enough about the Britax Marathon convertible seat. This seat is meant to go from baby (once they are out of the "bucket" carseat) up to 65 lbs with the 5 point harness. Where most car seats max out at 40 lbs, this one will give you another couple years of 5-point harness safety - and kid straightjacket style captivity, which can't be beat on long trips.
Forward facing in the Element, the profile fits perfect. This is a BIG car seat, but it fits great in my E backseat. I have it on the passenger side since I'm driving alone with the kid most of the time and reaching is easier. You can use Latch for a tight and easy install in the E, or of course the seat belt.
This seat sits up nice and high, so my child can SEE where we are going - and since he's a little guy, tell me where to turn :roll: He has lately started asking me to drive faster and install "blasters" on the front of the car.
I have the "Cowmooflage" print (that's what they call it). LOVE the print. How could you go wrong with a cow print carseat? The cover comes off and you can wash it. The company also sells replacement covers. They have solid colors to choose from too (black, tan, gray, girly prints). They also make the base and straps in black. You can easily order replacement straps if there is something disgusting that occurs.
I have some pics of it in the Element, figured I'd share in case anyone is in the market for a car seat. This seat gets heavy duty wear and tear, and it can take it. the seat is like 4 years old at this point. Holding up well. Britax also gets the highest crash ratings out there.
You can see the rear tether anchors to the top bolt, so you're not blocking the trunk and can still haul plenty of stuff in the trunk
the kind of abuse goes on back there. This is called "but I was just sharing my milk with the dog."
sunroof blasts the light.. I'd use a sunroof shield with a baby back there
adding a few more pics
This dog REALLY wants this seat.
as soon as the kid is dropped off at preschool, the dogs take over. The one dog rides in the carseat every chance he gets. They also chew the kid's teddy bear and then intentionally sit on it.
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10 Posts
at 5, he's still fitting in the seat with no issues. Sleeping comfy (and holding his leftovers from dinner at grandma's). The weight on a Marathon goes up to 65 lbs and he's around 43 lbs now. I think I paid $280 for the seat.. I had sticker shock when I first got it, but I have used it from 8 months of age till now. VERY worth the investment. It could go through another kid easily, and a new $65 replacement cover would make it basically "new."
![Image]()
Britax also makes a top quality booster seat, the kind that positions with a seat belt. It has a back and the side wings (which provide much more collision safety than the backless boosters). They just released it in Cowmooflage so I ordered one to have on hand when we stop using the 5-point harness carseat. Here's a pic of it installed in the Element on the driver side backseat, using the seat belt. I ordered this booster for $115 including shipping from some baby gear website.
I got this one in black and gray Cowmoo and the color is perfect in the Element. I'm keeping him in the Marathon a while longer though, since a 5-pt harness is still safer in collisions. Also the Marathon sits up so much higher than the booster seat, he likes to see (and backseat drive).
![Image]()
(note the strap is not threaded correctly in this pic, I let him hook it himself. He hooked it wrong, but we were parked)
Britax also makes a top quality booster seat, the kind that positions with a seat belt. It has a back and the side wings (which provide much more collision safety than the backless boosters). They just released it in Cowmooflage so I ordered one to have on hand when we stop using the 5-point harness carseat. Here's a pic of it installed in the Element on the driver side backseat, using the seat belt. I ordered this booster for $115 including shipping from some baby gear website.
I got this one in black and gray Cowmoo and the color is perfect in the Element. I'm keeping him in the Marathon a while longer though, since a 5-pt harness is still safer in collisions. Also the Marathon sits up so much higher than the booster seat, he likes to see (and backseat drive).
(note the strap is not threaded correctly in this pic, I let him hook it himself. He hooked it wrong, but we were parked)
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1,510 Posts
Great looking lad you have there. My bEast is also my designated kid hauler. My youngest at 2 and 3 have done a lot to break in the interior the past year and a half. You know: strange mixtures of milk, juice, and...what is THAT? on the seats and rubber floor. ANd the chicken nuggets hiding under the seats...and even a sticker or two that magically show up on the windows and trim...
Great kid hauler in my opinion. The kids can spot a fellow E on the road at 2 miles I think and exclaim "Daddy's car!!".
Great kid hauler in my opinion. The kids can spot a fellow E on the road at 2 miles I think and exclaim "Daddy's car!!".
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595 Posts
Sorry to drag out the old threads here but thanks for the info people. My wife and I are expecting in February and I'm very excited.
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I didn't read any other page but page 3 here but I wanted to make it abundantly clear that your babe should remain rear facing WELL PASSED their 1st birthday. It's been well stated that you will have ample room from side to side and font to back. The LATCH connectors are perfectly placed within the seat bight (not to far recessed or anything) also, if you choose to install using the vehicle seat belt (which is just as safe in a collision) the seats are ELR/ALR and will lock automatically once pulled all the way out, meaning you will never need to use a locking clip which can be a major hassle to do correctly.
I have yet to find a seat that the E couldn't install correctly (less than an 1" of movement at the belt path).
As a car seat tech I am not supposed to recommend carseats to a parent, the seat you should buy is the one that you can:
1. Use correctly every time
2. Install correctly every time
That being said, if you're looking to start out with the infant bucket I think you should make sure you get some hands on time with the Combi Shuttle 33. It has the largest height accommodation of any currently on the market, has an anti-rebound bar, and is rated up to 33 pounds.
I have yet to find a seat that the E couldn't install correctly (less than an 1" of movement at the belt path).
As a car seat tech I am not supposed to recommend carseats to a parent, the seat you should buy is the one that you can:
1. Use correctly every time
2. Install correctly every time
That being said, if you're looking to start out with the infant bucket I think you should make sure you get some hands on time with the Combi Shuttle 33. It has the largest height accommodation of any currently on the market, has an anti-rebound bar, and is rated up to 33 pounds.
I'm looking for some recommendations on seats.
I've got a 4 month old who is about 20lbs. :shock:so he is outgrowing his infant seat quickly.
So now we're looking for convertible seats. I see that it's a hassle to use rear facing seats in the back because the seats are so far towards the rear.
I found this blog where this lady talks about having a swivel-base seat. It looks great and I'd buy it today, but it's only rated at 33lbs rear facing and 40lbs. forward facing. I'm hoping to get a few more years out of this next seat purchase.
What are you guys finding fits good, but is also safe (I assume most of them are safe, it's more about the installation.)
Her blog: http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/2009/06/honda-element-car-seat-solution.html
http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-months-old.html
I've got a 4 month old who is about 20lbs. :shock:so he is outgrowing his infant seat quickly.
So now we're looking for convertible seats. I see that it's a hassle to use rear facing seats in the back because the seats are so far towards the rear.
I found this blog where this lady talks about having a swivel-base seat. It looks great and I'd buy it today, but it's only rated at 33lbs rear facing and 40lbs. forward facing. I'm hoping to get a few more years out of this next seat purchase.
What are you guys finding fits good, but is also safe (I assume most of them are safe, it's more about the installation.)
Her blog: http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/2009/06/honda-element-car-seat-solution.html
http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-months-old.html
Britax car seats are hands-down the safest car seats available. They cost more but I figure that's a small price to pay for the safety of my children. I never really had the rear-facing problems others describe, as I just accessed the seat from inside the car - i.e. my rear-facing seat was on the driver's side, so I entered from the passenger side to place my child in the seat. I found that one of the things I loved about the E when I first got it was how much room there is in the back seat to do this sort of thing, even with two car seats mounted back there.
Once we outgrew infant seats, we switched to the Britax Marathon for both of our kids. My son is 3.5 and still fits in them great. My daughter (6.5) outgrew it a while back and we switched to a Britax Frontier 85 for her. This seat is the only booster seat with full side and head protection and a 5-point harness - she'll fit it up to 80lbs, and then it can continue to be used as a booseter without the 5-pt harness up to 110 lbs! All her friends in school are either using those cheap little booster seats or nothing at all, while she'll be riding safely for years to come in this thing.
Once we outgrew infant seats, we switched to the Britax Marathon for both of our kids. My son is 3.5 and still fits in them great. My daughter (6.5) outgrew it a while back and we switched to a Britax Frontier 85 for her. This seat is the only booster seat with full side and head protection and a 5-point harness - she'll fit it up to 80lbs, and then it can continue to be used as a booseter without the 5-pt harness up to 110 lbs! All her friends in school are either using those cheap little booster seats or nothing at all, while she'll be riding safely for years to come in this thing.
Car seat
I agree with dgale. I have a Britax Frontier seat. My 5 year old loves it. It can be changed so that it can be used as she becomes older. I got the rushmore color. Same color scheme as our 03 E. Good Luck with the search.
I agree with dgale. I have a Britax Frontier seat. My 5 year old loves it. It can be changed so that it can be used as she becomes older. I got the rushmore color. Same color scheme as our 03 E. Good Luck with the search.
Thanks,
I actually ordered the Britax Marathon 70 today. It rear faces until 40lbs and front faces until 70 lbs.
I know they're safe, they all pass the same government tests. I just wanted something that'll work with the door situation on our cars. But since I couldn't get a definitive answer I went with the highly recommended Britax.
Thanks again!
I actually ordered the Britax Marathon 70 today. It rear faces until 40lbs and front faces until 70 lbs.
I know they're safe, they all pass the same government tests. I just wanted something that'll work with the door situation on our cars. But since I couldn't get a definitive answer I went with the highly recommended Britax.
Thanks again!
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