Signum child seats

[Ian (archive)]

Just found out I'm about to be a dad for the first time (at 41 as well!).

Looking at the Britax web site for car seats threw up a problem I had not considered. My Signum has front passenger and side airbags. Whereas most cars allow you to disable these, usually via a key or switch, Vauxhall decided to go one better and it looks like the only way to put a rear facing child seat in the front seat is to buy the "transponder" seat from Vauxhall at £300 + £50 for the 0-9 month insert. I have looked at other child seat manufacturers and no-one seems to indicate that they can provide seats with transponders. 2 questions:

1. Does this mean I'll have to but a Vauxhall seat at £350?

2. If so...anyone got one they are no longer using and are willing to sell?

 

[Richard Murphy]

Ouch - this is a nasty one ..

The other, and much cheaper option, is to have the little one in the back of the car, out of harm's way. On the passenger side, so lifting in and out can be done from the pavement side.

Some say it is the best place, with mum sitting next to the infant. You would then not have to disable the airbags in any case i.e. when an adult is being carried in the front seat.

I know it sounds old-fashioned, but ...

 

[Mike (archive)]

Alternatively, just dont go anywhere for the next few years-after all, if this is your first, you're gonna find your social life is in for a distinct downturn <bg>

Mike

(Father of twins and still looking for the other guy...)

 

[David Quinn]

We got a Britax CosyTot Isofix to go in the back of our Vectra. The seat simply clamps to the isofix base and the whole thing is much more solid and less hassle than using a seat belt. At £180 its expensive but still less than the transponder seat, which we couldn't use anyway as our car doesn't have seat occupancy recognition.

Also you shouldn't buy a secondhand seat. You don't know where its been.

Dave

 

[Ian (archive)]

We got a Britax CosyTot Isofix to go in the back of our Vectra. The seat simply clamps to the isofix base and the whole thing is much more solid and less hassle than using a seat belt. At £180 its expensive but still less than the transponder seat, which we couldn't use anyway as our car doesn't have seat occupancy recognition.

Also you shouldn't buy a secondhand seat. You don't know where its been.

Dave

Thanks David, I did spot that, and as my wife's Clio also has ISOFIX, that is the directions I'm going. Have checked prices and can get a Britax Cosytot Isofix for £160 online.

Thanks,
Ian