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.

[95st-celica]

move the seat all the way up...drop the back part of the seat down completely flat with the back seat...put your bass on the seat, strap it in, and your good to go

[pittfirefighter]

move the seat all the way up...drop the back part of the seat down completely flat with the back seat...put your bass on the seat, strap it in, and your good to go

think about the size of the bass... that is impossible... just look at it compared to the door frame

[Akirad1]

fold the back seat down and have the neck poke through the middle of the front seats. and insert it through the hatch should be enough room its how i do with fishing poles

[njccmd2002]

doesnt the matrix seat do that. Im not sure. Think about swaping matrix seats... I know there is a car that does that.

[garin]

yeah for big instruments. when i gig with my drums i have to take thee family blazer. i say buy a celica and use the dodge when you need it.

[ge7243]

Thanks for the input folks, good to see I'm not entirely the only person in this situation.

Just a note about that picture above, it's not THAT tall in storage because the end pin is extended to how I'd have it when playing. Overall it'd be about 4-6 inches shorter than in that picture.

And I did try folding the passenger seat backwards, but the head rest did not allow any space.

Considering the Matrix is also a Toyota, would there be little difficulty with replacing the hardware? As well, it's not too large is it?

I suppose that considering I still live with my parents, I would be able to use their cars whenever the need arises, I'd just feel bad about mooching their car for that purpose all the time. It also wouldn't be too economical for me to own and insure two cars upon leaving the nest, so to speak...

So maybe I'll consider an electric upright around that time, I'm pretty sure my teacher has one laying around for that exact purpose...

But yeah, if anyone can help brainstorm some ideas for a seat transplant, I'll be more than thankful. I'm not that willing to give up on the idea of cramming the monster into a Celica.

[xs94st]

Maybe a *gasp* Honda Fit seat?

I remember they made a big dealio out how they fold into some sort of transformer lol.

[ge7243]

That's a good idea, I had actually found a blog that listed a bunch of fold-flat passenger seats, though they were in definitely larger cars. The Fit is about as small as it gets in regards to the others with that kind of seat, I'll have to look into it, thanks.

Also been scouting out some automotive junkyards, on one site there was a Matrix Seat available...not sure if it was fold flat, though.

[Akirad1]

camaro seats fold completely flat but doubt it will fit

[ge7243]

Will it not fit due to the size of the seat itself? Or is it the mounting brackets that would be the problem?