Kids in 2's....

[jonty]

That's been my opinion this whole time.

Good man, some of my friends have no reason to use a forward facing seat but see it like some sort of milestone to have got one the moment the kid was over 9kg...

How safe are rear facing seats if someone crashes into your rear at speed? Only ask cos that's the only way I've been in a multi car accident before.

Pretty sure they are a far better compromise!

[Bossworld]

I've pulled the connector for the airbag above the glovebox, should be fine for rear facing.

On that note, with any small child I'd recommend keeping them rear facing as long as possible - even at 4years their neck can't cope well with the weight of their head in an accident, let alone 9 months. People also seem to see the 9kg legal minimum for a front facing seat as a target, rather than that it's deemed criminally irresponsible to put a smaller child in one... Try to not be that guy  s:) s:)

Each to their own but the safest car seat, regardless of design, is one in a car that's not being driven in a way liable to cause a crash, be that driving recklessly or braking late.

Can't account for all the idiots out there on the roads admittedly.

My little girl was in her Recaro from about 11 months, wasn't a chance she'd have still fit in her baby carrier at that point. Made journeys immeasurably easier as she was a lot more settled being able to see forward.

[nadeemxb]

My little girl was in her Recaro from about 11 months, wasn't a chance she'd have still fit in her baby carrier at that point. Made journeys immeasurably easier as she was a lot more settled being able to see forward.

That's the other thing that really confuses our opinion too.  She's not happy in the car but I'm sure facing forwards she'd be more settled - as you say she likes to see what's going on!  It's one of those things that there just isn't a best answer for (yes I know safety wise rear facing is the best answer) as it depends massively on the child and how they behave.  There's nothing worse for my driving ability than having her screaming in the back and stressing me out.

I think I'll fit an airbag disable switch (hidden in the roof of the glovebox) just in case it's the better thing to do.  What is the consensus on this for front facing?

[Craikeybaby]

Owen enjoying the MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

Owen seemed to enjoy his first ride in the MR2! We ended up with a Britax Eclipse, as we wanted a seat that reclines to use in my BMW daily. The fit in the MR2 isn't as good as the Recaro Young Sport Hero I tried a few weeks back, so will get one of those for the MR2.

[Alex Pope]

I assume there is no way of fitting Isofix?

[StuC]

Isofix is something that the car is designed to have by the OE. It's either there or not.
I wouldn't want to take on the responsibility of creating the brackets and welding them in!  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

[Alex Pope]

Both my children's car seats are ISOfix - I'd assumed that there was no way of converting the MR2 to ISOfix (e.g. OEM brackets) but wanted to be sure.

In two minds as to buy a non-ISOfix seat just so the children can have a ride in the convertible.  Child seats are one thing I'd not buy second hand and would only buy a reputable brand so it would cost >£100 and hardly get any use.  We had a Joie baby/toddler seat as a temporary measure at one point when my son was 10 months old.  He managed to undo the strap and was climbing out of the seat when we were on the motorway.

[StuC]

Agreed to not buying second hand seats. You just have no idea of the history.

[Craikeybaby]

The Britax seat Owen is in was £70 from Smyths Toys (£130+ elsewhere), my mother in law bought one this week and they have an offer on, so took £10 off at the till. So maybe worth a look - Owen loves going in the MR2!


Roof down in the MR2 with Owen by Lewis Craik, on Flickr