It's time for my little guy to get an upgrade for his car seat. I need a forward facing harness (not booster for now but conversion if possible later) car seat that would fit in the back of my 997. I got the Recaro Prosport (harness with conversion) for my wife's Cayenne and it fits perfectly in her car. However, when I tried to bring that seat over to my 997 - it barely fit. Any suggestions for a car seat for my 997? I did search the thread but wanted sometime more recent. My little guy is 14 months, weight 20lbs and is 27" tall. Thanks for the help!

 

I just purchased a Cosco Scenera (Safety 1st brand in Canada) from Walmart for my 2 yr old, based on this thread. It's inexpensive and works for my needs (something basic that I can strap my daughter in and feel confident with the install).

That said, I've read all the threads on this topic and from my perspective installing any car seat securely in the back of a 997 is very tricky as there are no lower anchor points, and because the seatbelt doesn't tighten on the child seat due to seatbelt clip position (which sits very far ahead). I've seen too many photos claiming a good install, but based on my countless installation hours in my 997 I would bet most of those seats are very loose fitting and there is too much play.

Here are a few tips based on my experience.
1- remove the leather seat bottom (held on by velcro - there's no cushion in this and you'll likely mark up your leather)... Also remove the backrest as this will free up some extra leg room. It's not hard, there are plenty of DIYs if you haven't done this before.

2- see this picture of a 997 owner with a Scenera installed. Notice the seatbelt runs through the "rear facing" seatbelt path. This is not recommended and likely not safe in a typical car, however given the location of the seatbelt clip in the 997, I personally feel this is a much safer path to run the seatbelt through than the path on the back of the seat. If you follow the path on the back, there is no tension on the belt and the seat freely moves around.


3- The bottom of the Scenera doesn't conform nicely to the seat of the 997 - it's an odd shape and it's hard - there's no cushioning. Also the plastic base of the Scenera is slightly larger than the width of the seat. To help create a tighter fit I layered a towel along with a cut up foam pool noodle to prop up the seat a bit higher. This gave me a firm cushion that I could compress the seat into during the install --- creating a very tight and secure fit. Just be aware of the location of the harness belts under/behind the car seat as any towels etc could impact your ability to tighten up the harness strap once your little guy is in the seat. Just be cautious of that and you will be fine.

4- To get the seatbelt clipped in, pull the belt out 75% and run it through the belt path. Keep holding the belt out 75% and get the belt clipped. Once clipped in, pull the belt out fully to engage the ratchet system and let it begin to tighten. As things get as tight as you think you can get it, unclip the belt and let the ratchet tighten an extra few clicks, then really put your weight down into the seat and clip the belt back up. You may have to start over if the belt tightens up too much. Ultimately you should be able to clip it again, and when you take your weight off the seat, the foam/noodles/towel will decompress and really tighten up the install.

I am super happy with the install of my Scenera, there is absolutely NO play and this seat is not going anywhere. I'd post a pic of my own install but the car is in storage for the next few weeks. That doesn't mean there are other seats that fit even better, but I have limited options in Canada and I'm happy with the Scenera (both the install, and the cost). Best part is my daughter can't wait to try out her new seat in "daddy's Porsche"

Good luck!

 

I've used Britax and Recaro (forget the model names) for my kids in my 993 and 997.

 

I took out the bottom seat as well, it seemed to work ok. As they get older, the foam booster seat fits perfectly and allows the strap to go across the chest.

 

Thanks Zero for the complete write up. I'll give it a try hopefully soon. I'm sure I'll have more questions but given the details of your post, I'll figure it out. I don't think the Recaro that I have now really "fit" inside the backseat, despite me thinking "I can make it work." There is just too much pulled when I tried.

 

Recaro Vivo. My daughter is 5 now and has been in this seat since transitioning from a rear facing seat a couple years ago. It fits nicely, she has good legroom and my wife can still sit in the front seat. Price is reasonable on Amazon as well. I prefer the fit with the rear cushion removed, but it fits with it in as well.

 

Wal-Mart sells a perfect, and inexpensive ($39-$50 depending on your store) Car seat for the back of a 997. It's the Harmony DreamTime Deluxe Booster Seat. Don't let the price scare you, it's also a Winner of the 2008 Consumer CHOICE Award, Winner of the 2009 JPMA Award, & was a 2010 IIHS Best Bet Booster.

What makes it so great is the bottom width is quite narrow and curves up a little at the edges, so it actually sits flat on the narrow flat portion of the rear seat area. I actually removed both my bottom cushions and the rear fold-down seat-backs, more to save my leather from damage and spills than as a necessity to making the carseats work, and then put down a simple bath towel over the carpet that matches the carpet color, to catch any crumbs or spills.

I have Adaptive Sport Seats Plus in my car and a bunch of carbon fiber interior trim pieces so I also had the idea to purchase some of the Carbon-Fiber-look vinyl and adhered it to the back center portion of the seats where the kids' feet might contact the seat-back, in order to keep the backs of the real seats looking like new. If the vinyl gets scuffed up I can just peel it off and put on a new one, and it actually looks pretty good with the rest of the carbon interior. If you're just looking for protection without the detailing, I bet some 3M clearbra would work just as well.

My wife has the Black & Pink in her Black 997 and I have the Black & Silver in my GT Silver 9997 - both have Black Full Leather Interiors. The seat is actually 3 parts that locks together. The tall back support locks into the base booster and then headrest with adjustable seatbelt guide slides into the tall back part. It can be used as a full belt positioning booster with all 3 parts or just as a booster with armrests when only using the base. My little guy is 5 and my daughter 8 and they love riding in Mommy & Daddy's fast cars and say the seats are very comfortable.

Have fun exposing the little ones to the Porsches - just remember, it's going to come back and bite us in the a-- when they turn 16

Pete

 

I used the Britax Roundabout with the base removed for the 1-3 year range. I also removed the seat backs for a extra inch or so.

 

what rear facing seat were you using when your baby was 1-12 months? i'm expecting in about 4 months and am looking for something to fit in the back seat...

 

I used a Chicco model (don't recall). Seat was rear-facing, I couldn't fit it (or the base) in the backseat and opted for using it in the front seat (without base

EDIT: But check here (picture on post #7) -- this is the Chicco we used (keyfit 30) although I didn't attempt the rear seat:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...r-997-2-a.html

 

Also, if you haven't already, check out these threads:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post3789095

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...eat-backs.html

Page 2 of this thread has good pics:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-question.html

 

I used the Graco Snugride 22 - you can find it on Amazon. Great car seat for your little one. I used it in the back without the base and it fits nicely.

 

After looking at the Recaro Vivo and the Harmony DreamTime Deluxe as suggested - I think these seats are booster and too big for my little boy. He just turned 14 months and still too small to fit those two (he weighs 20 lbs and is 27" tall). Please correct me if I'm wrong. I really like the Recaro though - love the look. Are there any Recaro that is forward facing that would fit him (he needs a harness type not booster yet)?

If not, than it looks like the Britax Roundabout is currently the one one I see. oh by the way, I can't find the Costco one - they must have removed it from my store.

Cfos - I'm assuming you are using the 3 way belt system to hold the seat down correct?

 

I have two little ones myself...11mos and 29 mos....and I don't think your son is old/big enough for forward facing. The current standards are for rear facing up to 2 years. I did this until my older son simply could not face rear anymore so I turned him around early, but he was much heavier than 20 lbs at the time and very big. I would HIGHLY recommend not rushing to put him in a forward facing seat. Keep him turned back as long as you possibly can.

 

A little off topic but helpful nonetheless- once your little ones need a booster I bought these seats online called bubble bum. They are inflatable boosters that can be easily stored in the frunk. The fit great and don't scratch the leather.