Can you explain to me the Graco seat bases?

[DirectGirl]

My mom has requested that I get a baby carrier/car seat for the new born that is compatible with her Graco base - "the older one."  I'm not sure what that means... She got it in 2012, and at that time there was a new version out, and she bought the older one, so it would be compatible with the stuff my sister-in-law has.  Can anyone explain this to me?

[AnnieBrooke]

Oh, sorry!  Read your post as saying she got it in 2002.  If it is as new as 2012, you might be able to tie a seat to the base she has.  Go with the serial numbers and contact Graco.

[AnnieBrooke]

Probably only Graco's website would be able to tell you if you can find a new carseat that goes with the old base.  Simpler just to buy a new set, I'd bet.  But if you get a serial number off the old base, you might be able to email Graco and find out if the seat they sell today works with it.  I don't even know if you can get a seat without a base, frankly.

Also, when I was looking at our infant carseat from 2007, I realized I would probably just buy a new one if I had another baby.  Not use the old one.  (And hers is older by 5 years.)  Things change fast in the carseat world, and besides that, I want the safest approach.