Baby Dilemma
09-23-2007 | 05:00 PM
#27
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From: Madison, WI
I bet your farther and Grandfather lived without any chid seats at all.
Is this paranoia on your part?
Is this paranoia on your part?
09-23-2007 | 05:04 PM
#28
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From: Madison, WI
If there is any issue with any 1 of the air bags, you will set off the airbag light. If the brain does not see an airbag, its puts out this warning. Thus cutting the wire will do this. Just ask anyone who has replaced their stearing wheel...I know firsthand because for the first year of driving, the stupid thing kept having issues with "seeing" the driver airbag.
Basically, cutting the lead would compromise the safety system, PERIOD.
Now, here's something to think about. Airbags are designed as suplemental safety systems, not primary. They will only go off in the most extreme/appropriate circumstance...and only the appropriate bags. Thus, in a front crash, the front bags. In a side crash, the side curtain, and side seat...the ones in question. So...would you rather have the airbag cushion your daughter/baby seat, or the actual side of the car. I am very serious when I say, please, leave the system in place and let it do its job. I believe it would be an extremely safe vehicle for your child. This car has a very high, 4 star for the rear passanger in side impact. Here is a link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/3534.html
Being completely non-biased, make your choice based on the safety criteria. Look up on nhtsa. (Edit: look at http://www.safercar.gov and you can look at the safety ratings of any car.)
I hope this helps, good luck, and congratulations to all 3 of you!
Basically, cutting the lead would compromise the safety system, PERIOD.
Now, here's something to think about. Airbags are designed as suplemental safety systems, not primary. They will only go off in the most extreme/appropriate circumstance...and only the appropriate bags. Thus, in a front crash, the front bags. In a side crash, the side curtain, and side seat...the ones in question. So...would you rather have the airbag cushion your daughter/baby seat, or the actual side of the car. I am very serious when I say, please, leave the system in place and let it do its job. I believe it would be an extremely safe vehicle for your child. This car has a very high, 4 star for the rear passanger in side impact. Here is a link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/3534.html
Being completely non-biased, make your choice based on the safety criteria. Look up on nhtsa. (Edit: look at http://www.safercar.gov and you can look at the safety ratings of any car.)
I hope this helps, good luck, and congratulations to all 3 of you!
09-23-2007 | 05:05 PM
#29
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From: Madison, WI
The airbag danger is for kids (and small adults) in the front seat. That's why the warnings tell you to put the kid seats and kids in the back.
The back seat has always been safer for child seats, even before the air bag problem in the front.
Why don't you go to NHTSA's web site and look up the crash ratings for the 8 and for whatever you might buy to replace it? Also check out the ratings on the Wrangler. You may very well find yourself replacing that.
Ken
The back seat has always been safer for child seats, even before the air bag problem in the front.
Why don't you go to NHTSA's web site and look up the crash ratings for the 8 and for whatever you might buy to replace it? Also check out the ratings on the Wrangler. You may very well find yourself replacing that.
Ken
I guess we'll just have to weigh all our options, practicality also comes into place.
09-23-2007 | 05:20 PM
#31
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It all depends on how they deploy. My wife wants me to find a video showing the air bags deploying. Not sure if there is one but I'm looking.
09-23-2007 | 05:39 PM
#32
Obviously that's not the ONLY factor here thought.
09-23-2007 | 05:46 PM
#33
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if you look here.....http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...4222243&bhcp=1
dont look like airbag would hit a carseat at all.. just hit saftey button then airbags
dont look like airbag would hit a carseat at all.. just hit saftey button then airbags
09-23-2007 | 06:01 PM
#34
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From: Da swamps of La.
DevilDog the second reason I bought my 8 was because it is a "family" car (note the quotation marks) and has decent rear seats for the crumb muncher. The side curtain airbags keep your head from smashing through the side glass or frame work of the car, there is no way it shoud ever touch the carseat.
Your views may be different, just my outlook on things.
Your views may be different, just my outlook on things.
09-23-2007 | 08:35 PM
#37
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Data tends to beat the crap out of intuition.Don't forget to research child seats before you buy one of those. Search here for threads that talk about which ones fit the 8, and any particular problems with using the anchors.
Ken
09-23-2007 | 10:31 PM
#39
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So much for my intuition that the Wrangler might not be safe. Data tends to beat the crap out of intuition.
Don't forget to research child seats before you buy one of those. Search here for threads that talk about which ones fit the 8, and any particular problems with using the anchors.
Ken
Data tends to beat the crap out of intuition.Don't forget to research child seats before you buy one of those. Search here for threads that talk about which ones fit the 8, and any particular problems with using the anchors.
Ken
09-23-2007 | 10:32 PM
#40
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09-23-2007 | 10:42 PM
#41
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I have carried both of my boys in my 8 since they were days old and never felt there was any danger. If you are in an accident that is bad enough to cause a side air bag to go off I would worry about intrusion into the car and the 8 has several devices to prevent that.
I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.
Oh and congratulations on the baby!
I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.
Oh and congratulations on the baby!
09-23-2007 | 11:24 PM
#42
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My parents hauled me around in a '49 Ford and later, a '58 Volkswagen Bus. Neither had seatbelts, let alone airbags. Obviously, I survived. But then again, we were fortunate enough to never get in a wreck.
Having raised two children of my own, I can assure you that they traveled in the most appropriate vehicle we could afford at the time. I love the 8, but I do not consider it a family car.
Take care of your child; buy a car that will best protect her. Your fun car can come later.
1.3L
Having raised two children of my own, I can assure you that they traveled in the most appropriate vehicle we could afford at the time. I love the 8, but I do not consider it a family car.
Take care of your child; buy a car that will best protect her. Your fun car can come later.
1.3L
09-23-2007 | 11:29 PM
#43
Its all about Style...
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From: South of Boston, MA
All I can say is this.
I'd rather have the airbags go off and save the child with the possiblity of bruising than having no airbags go off and breaking the childs neck or worse.
Our airbag system is pretty smart (or stupid depending on your view of things) as in it doesnt go off unless its really really necessary. So if your worried it will go off from a minor side impact that just barely dents the door dont worry it wont.
I'd rather have the airbags go off and save the child with the possiblity of bruising than having no airbags go off and breaking the childs neck or worse.
Our airbag system is pretty smart (or stupid depending on your view of things) as in it doesnt go off unless its really really necessary. So if your worried it will go off from a minor side impact that just barely dents the door dont worry it wont.
09-23-2007 | 11:35 PM
#44
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I have carried both of my boys in my 8 since they were days old and never felt there was any danger. If you are in an accident that is bad enough to cause a side air bag to go off I would worry about intrusion into the car and the 8 has several devices to prevent that.
I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.
Oh and congratulations on the baby!
I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.
Oh and congratulations on the baby!
09-24-2007 | 12:22 AM
#45
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From: Raleigh
True question?
Looks like you should go for volvo cars. I think they have the best safety rating! Looks like you are very confused and dont know what issue it is that needs addressing.
1) You /Safety about your car
2) Your wife has asked you to get rid of the car
3) More safer car?
4) Want a new car like 335.
09-24-2007 | 01:00 PM
#48
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From: Home of the NIMBYs
the rear doors in the 8 is so much better than a traditional 4dr because of it's opposite hinges. Makes for easy ingress/egress of the baby. But best spot is always the centre if you can help it. Although I do find we'd have to bend more to get to the baby when the baby seat is in the centre location of our main family hauler.
09-24-2007 | 01:09 PM
#49
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From: Madison, WI
My only real concern was the bags blowing in the babies face, but looking at pics it seems that won't happen. The reality is that my car won't be used to often anyway to transport the baby. I feel perfectly fine with it now but you know that mothers are harder to convince.
09-24-2007 | 01:18 PM
#50
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From: Ft Bragg, NC
Keep the car the way it is. I have had my daughter in my car since she was a year old and there has never been any issues.
1. An infant carseat sits low and laid slightly back so it would miss your child completely. Not to mention that you leave the carrier arm upright so if it WERE to hit something, it would be that arm.
2. When your child hits a year or so old, she will then go into a sitting upright childseat. I have one that has comes out a little by the childs head, kinda like our seats form around us. She leans her lil head on there when she gets tired, anyway, that would also help deflect the airbag, though I don't think it would even come near her.
Good luck with what you decide, but I'm a mom and I completely approve of the 8.
Plus the doors are very convenient.
1. An infant carseat sits low and laid slightly back so it would miss your child completely. Not to mention that you leave the carrier arm upright so if it WERE to hit something, it would be that arm.
2. When your child hits a year or so old, she will then go into a sitting upright childseat. I have one that has comes out a little by the childs head, kinda like our seats form around us. She leans her lil head on there when she gets tired, anyway, that would also help deflect the airbag, though I don't think it would even come near her.
Good luck with what you decide, but I'm a mom and I completely approve of the 8.
Plus the doors are very convenient.