Fold Flat passenger seat? Options

[ge7243]

Okay, many years ago when I joined this forum my family had just bought a 95 Celica GT...and I'm still very much loving the car. So much, that I'd love to buy one of my own when I start making money.

But, alas, I've also begun another passion since then:



On the left is my kontrabasse, and hopefully the picture gives a good enough reference for what I'm dealing with.

So far when I want to transport it, I can either put it in the mini van (absolutely not an option for me), or stow it in our recently bought Dodge Caliber (large-ish hatchback sedan). The caliber holds it beautifully, it's still a somewhat fun-to-drive car, and even with the upright bass I can cram two passengers in it so long as I can deal with their complaints.

But of course, the Celica is a very different driving experience, and the preferred one. So I've been looking for anyway I could stow the beast inside of it.

The hatch would not be the preferred means of entry, as it's more of a lid and less of a garage door like the Caliber's. But the side door, on the other hand, has a fairly wide opening that I think can accommodate the wide end of my bass.

But then I hit the problem of the passenger seat. It does not fold flat, so it's very much in the way (short of taking it out altogether). I tried moving it to the forward-most position and reclining it as far as it will go, but that is still not enough flatness, and even then the rear seat will not be able to flatten itself all the way, not permitting the neck of the instrument any room.

So, to cut to the chase:

1. is there any possibility of replacing the passenger seat with an after-market fold-flat seat? Are there any on the market?
2. Failing that, would it be possible to economically modify the passenger side to hold a fold-flat seat from another Toyota/other car?
3. Am I entirely in over my head? Is all of this worth the trouble?

Help will be greatly appreciated. I really, really hope I can accommodate both passions.

[richee3]

I say drive the Celica when you don't have to take the bass anywhere and take the Caliber when you do. I have a half stack for my electric guitar and when I need to take it somewhere, although it will fit in the Celica, I take something else. Celicas and large instruments are not two passions that were meant to be together. Have one for a night, sacrifice the other. There's always tomorrow.