Signum child seats

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?

 

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 ...

 

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...)

 

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