This is a reply to kehall28's question about back seat space with carseats. I wanted to start a new thread in case anyone else ever does a search on it. Hope this helps any potential buyers.

I have a front facing toddler seat and an infant rear facing seat.
[IMG]local://upfiles/36952/210B5ADCA88D40C68E97C9F08C78CCCE.jpg[/IMG]

To show where I measured from
[IMG]local://upfiles/36952/7F419E4BAC114349B310141A10B33EAE.jpg[/IMG]

Close up of remaining space
[IMG]local://upfiles/36952/706A5A7BA4A9410194D6FF4D8F1704F7.jpg[/IMG]

There's enough room for a SMALL adult or a child to sit in the remaining space, I couldn't get in there though.

Hope this helps.

 

Wow. that's a tight fit. I was concidering purchasing an SRT when they come out, but I need to be able to fit car seats in the back because we are "working" on kids right now! lol!

 

You need to really look at it. I was surprised how much room they took up. I don't think I'd ever be able to get a third in there.

 

Also, If you look you can see that the way I have them set up, the driver seat can go back all the way (I drive with it one click up from all the way back. But that infant seat hits the passenger side front seat, so rear travel for the passenger side is limited. In the picture it's as far back as it will go.

 

Thanks! I'll definitly look into that more before I make my final decision!

 

I know this original post was from 2006, but it did pull up in "search" and is exactly why I joined this forum, I need to know about peoples experiences with the Caliber and Carseats/Children.
[ul][*]What carseats are being used and what if any problems with installation in this vehicle[/ul][ul][*]Any issues with extended rear-facing children? (Like...size issues, anything ??)[*]Has anyone purchased this car and used as a family car and had any concerns or issues that you are unhappy with?
[/ul]I am very much starting to fall in love with the Caliber and have a toddler that I will have facing rear in this vehicle...I also own a stroller, the big graco convertible stroller that comes with the infant seat that attaches to the top...I'm hoping to not have a problem fitting that in the vehicle, I'm wondering if i have the carseat in the middle, will I be able to pop the smaller part of the back seat down still? In case I have to have some more space for cargo....

 

I can only speak from my own experience with childrens car seat in a Caliber,
but I have had a front facing seat for my grandaughter installed behind the
drivers seat for 2 years.
My grandaughter is now 5 yrs old and tall for her age and the only concession
I have to make for her is to move the drivers seat forward 2 notches as I am
6'2" @ 225 lbs and prefer it back to second to last position.
The hardware for babyseat installation is more then adequate in the standard
Caliber.
I have seen posts on other Caliber forums where moms have placed the rear
facing seats in the center of the rear seat for more room.
Might I suggest a visit to a dealer with all your baby gear and try a fitment
in an actual Caliber,if the sales staff are worth dealing with they should be
happy to assist you in researching your ultimate decision.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I actually Lucked into driving the Caliber this past weekend, I had to get a rental due to problems with my Tahoe, the first rental wouldn't cooperate ( trunk wouldn't close ) So their replacment was a Dodge Caliber. I took a road trip with my child and put him rear facing behind the Passenger seat. My sister rode in the passenger seat, and she was comfortable... But I didn't think to try it in the middle of the seat and with all the other issues I was having with the tahoe, I never found the time to try it out, nor did I have the stroller with me!

I love the way it drives and handles, and Loved that I filled up on $35.00 and only used 1/2 a tank on the way home! So... I'll be doing more research, thats for sure!

 

The CVT transmissionfor the Caliber is why I have a Caliber. Some people have difficulties fitting a carseat in a Caliber, others find it easy to use. It sounds like you are having a hard time balancing baby needs & needing an economical car. I love my Caliber, but it is somewhat space inefficient.

An economical carthat has a CVT is the NissanVersa, getting 15+% better MPG than the Caliber &the Versa backseat is more roomy(should fit a babyseat better than Caliber). The Caliber loses a lot of space efficiency from thebottom of the front windshieldto the front of the instrument panel. As a result, everything else got pushed backward.Chrysler elected to have a bit less space in the backseat.

You might look at the Versa, but healthycar.com indicates that Versa has the highesttoxic interior emissions than any other car...not good for baby.