Are Cerbs toddler friendly?
Discussion
I was hoping I could get a little advice about buying a cerb...
I've been given the "ok" to buy a new fun car and wanted 4 seats so I can go out with my wife and 2 year old son on weekends etc (whilst also being fun when I'm in it without them). However I was hoping others with young kids could tell me what they're like, specifically
1. Is the noise in the cabin too loud for kids?
2. Does a regular forward facing seat fit? I've seen some advertised with a kids seat in them but is this for older kids who just need a belt?
I'm sure there's more stuff I should ask about this topic, but if you can think of anything I need to know please post it up...
I've been given the "ok" to buy a new fun car and wanted 4 seats so I can go out with my wife and 2 year old son on weekends etc (whilst also being fun when I'm in it without them). However I was hoping others with young kids could tell me what they're like, specifically
1. Is the noise in the cabin too loud for kids?
2. Does a regular forward facing seat fit? I've seen some advertised with a kids seat in them but is this for older kids who just need a belt?
I'm sure there's more stuff I should ask about this topic, but if you can think of anything I need to know please post it up...
I know its not strictly on topic but my 5 yr olds first trip in our Cerb started with "Dad! This is aaaawwwweeeesooome!" Laughed my head off.
My 9 yr old fits in no prob either,so you're good for a few years yet.Don't really think noise would be a problem either.Admittedly mine has a standard exhaust set up with cats still in,but kids in the car tends to effect your loud pedal anyway.
Go for it.
My 9 yr old fits in no prob either,so you're good for a few years yet.Don't really think noise would be a problem either.Admittedly mine has a standard exhaust set up with cats still in,but kids in the car tends to effect your loud pedal anyway.
Go for it.
Honestly they are good and bad!
Kids love it (wives tend not to).
The seat belt mounting is a head injury risk
They are for kids with no legs (certainly behind driver).
The safety overall is poor. God forbid anyone drives into you side on or up the rear.
Too much noise if decat and or sports exhaust
Not exactly full of safety devices.
But they do love donuts!
You need a recaro fwd facing seat.
Kids love it (wives tend not to).
The seat belt mounting is a head injury risk
They are for kids with no legs (certainly behind driver).
The safety overall is poor. God forbid anyone drives into you side on or up the rear.
Too much noise if decat and or sports exhaust
Not exactly full of safety devices.
But they do love donuts!
You need a recaro fwd facing seat.
Took the family down to Devon a couple of weeks ago in the Cerb. Absolutely no probs at all. My 16 month old son loves it and gets excited every time it comes out of the garage. Start 'em young, I reckon 
He's got the Recaro Start mk1 seat with the impact cushion, which is great for the little ones once they get used to being surrounded by the cushion. Only fits behind the passenger seat in mine, certainly no space behind driver's seat when I'm driving.
I put the cats back on mine to reduce the noise a little. It can't be too bad, he sleeps happily in there, and he's a pretty light sleeper. Kiddie ear defenders don't really fit between the head restraints in the Recaro seat.
Do it. You won't regret it. Probably
He's got the Recaro Start mk1 seat with the impact cushion, which is great for the little ones once they get used to being surrounded by the cushion. Only fits behind the passenger seat in mine, certainly no space behind driver's seat when I'm driving.
I put the cats back on mine to reduce the noise a little. It can't be too bad, he sleeps happily in there, and he's a pretty light sleeper. Kiddie ear defenders don't really fit between the head restraints in the Recaro seat.
Do it. You won't regret it. Probably
If you need a forward facing chair - for very young / small children - will only fit in front passenger seat.
For younger toddlers up to about 4-5ish then the Recaro Start child seat is the way to go, it fits in back seat behind passenger with just about enough room for 4 year olds legs if the front passenger seat is pushed fully forwards. This is OK for my wife, she is about average height I'd say (I think about 5' 7-8").
There is very little room behind drivers seat when there is a tall driver. I am 6 foot tall, and there is not enough room behind me for the Recaro Start seat in the rear / child leg room.
I have been using Recaro Start Impact cushion in the rear seat behind me for my son since aged 4yrs when all four travel in the Cerbera. It holds him in just fine.
Potential risk to consider is the front seat belt mounting points, as highlighted by Gazzab. See previous threads on PH for more debate and photos - but when NOT using Recaro Start seat, the mounting bolt is almost exactly at kiddie head height. Not a pleasant thought. Other owners have reported that when making swift unexpected move (I think the example was sudden swerve to avoid pot hole) then the child head made impact - "ouch!" but no permenant damage. I wouldn't like to think of serious impact consequences..... However, if you are using the Recaro Start seat - then there are "wings" that protect the childs head - so this avoids this issue if you just have one younger child.
In terms of "do they like it?" ABSOLUTELY!!!! I have sports CATS and sports back box, so louder than standard at approx 105-106 Db but no real problem in the car. Sometimes get complaints from rear seat on noise if give it some full beans for an overtake, but otherwise fine. My two have regularly fallen asleep in the rear - must be combination of cosy surroundings, noise, vibration, warmth etc.
For younger toddlers up to about 4-5ish then the Recaro Start child seat is the way to go, it fits in back seat behind passenger with just about enough room for 4 year olds legs if the front passenger seat is pushed fully forwards. This is OK for my wife, she is about average height I'd say (I think about 5' 7-8").
There is very little room behind drivers seat when there is a tall driver. I am 6 foot tall, and there is not enough room behind me for the Recaro Start seat in the rear / child leg room.
I have been using Recaro Start Impact cushion in the rear seat behind me for my son since aged 4yrs when all four travel in the Cerbera. It holds him in just fine.
Potential risk to consider is the front seat belt mounting points, as highlighted by Gazzab. See previous threads on PH for more debate and photos - but when NOT using Recaro Start seat, the mounting bolt is almost exactly at kiddie head height. Not a pleasant thought. Other owners have reported that when making swift unexpected move (I think the example was sudden swerve to avoid pot hole) then the child head made impact - "ouch!" but no permenant damage. I wouldn't like to think of serious impact consequences..... However, if you are using the Recaro Start seat - then there are "wings" that protect the childs head - so this avoids this issue if you just have one younger child.
In terms of "do they like it?" ABSOLUTELY!!!! I have sports CATS and sports back box, so louder than standard at approx 105-106 Db but no real problem in the car. Sometimes get complaints from rear seat on noise if give it some full beans for an overtake, but otherwise fine. My two have regularly fallen asleep in the rear - must be combination of cosy surroundings, noise, vibration, warmth etc.
Thanks for all the feedback especially this one (and Gazzab's):
mikeinsheffield said:
If you need a forward facing chair - for very young / small children - will only fit in front passenger seat.
I hadn't realised he (2 years old) would have to go in the front of the car. I also hadn't realised that there was such a safety aspect to consider. I'll have a dig through the topics to get the thread on it (bit worried about it though as obviously I dont' want to risk anything)Edited by markbs on Tuesday 12th July 16:47
Depends on the size of the 2 year old = but AFAIK the front facing seat is for babies and very small kiddies who can't sit upright.
You should be fine with a 2 year old in a Recaro Start seat (front facing) in either the back passenger or front passenger seat (no airbags to worry about here...) but this would be immensely improved with also using the Impact Cushion in conjunction with the Recaro Start seat. The cushion effectively pins the child into the Recaro seat more - and if they fall asleep there is less risk of "lolling about" as they are pretty much pinned in.
In my (humble) opinion - the Recaro seat is the one to go for, as they seem to have a much better construction than cheaper child seats. The Recaro start has a metal chassis, with the seat and bolster components attached to it. It is also adjustable so should suit the child over a much longer period of time (can't remember the recommended weights - sure you can find this on their website). So much better than the moulded foam type child seats.....
Also the covers are removable and washable. This is a good thing, discovered after taking 2 year old in the Cerb immediately after kiddies birthday party (lots of cake and sweet things, then into a relatively bumpy car, recipie for barfing).....
You should be fine with a 2 year old in a Recaro Start seat (front facing) in either the back passenger or front passenger seat (no airbags to worry about here...) but this would be immensely improved with also using the Impact Cushion in conjunction with the Recaro Start seat. The cushion effectively pins the child into the Recaro seat more - and if they fall asleep there is less risk of "lolling about" as they are pretty much pinned in.
In my (humble) opinion - the Recaro seat is the one to go for, as they seem to have a much better construction than cheaper child seats. The Recaro start has a metal chassis, with the seat and bolster components attached to it. It is also adjustable so should suit the child over a much longer period of time (can't remember the recommended weights - sure you can find this on their website). So much better than the moulded foam type child seats.....
Also the covers are removable and washable. This is a good thing, discovered after taking 2 year old in the Cerb immediately after kiddies birthday party (lots of cake and sweet things, then into a relatively bumpy car, recipie for barfing).....
markbs said:
I hadn't realised he (2 years old) would have to go in the front of the car. I also hadn't realised that there was such a safety aspect to consider. I'll have a dig through the topics to get the thread on it (bit worried about it though as obviously I dont' want to risk anything)
I suspect Mike actually meant rear-facing seats for under 9 months only fit in the front. Actually, I couldn't get our rear-facing seats to fit in anywhere...Dave_M said:
Some cerbs, like mine, were made with a custom (matching leather etc) child seat and robust bar through the floor. It's worth asking but most people won't part with them.
Mine also, but as you say it matches the interior so goes with the car.A two year old is borderline for the start and other slim seats that fit in the rear IMO. A maxicosy style job in the front seat is better until they are 3.5+ depending on the size of your toddler
Not that that should deter you as you can soon put them in the back, and yes they love it! Go for it..Obiwonkeyblokey said:
HI Guys
Ive now got the recaro start for my 2 year old and he love sit, but does anyone know the part number or the "official / ebay" name of the bit that goes over their knees? Was this a TVR only part or do Recaro make one as well?
Many Thanks
Impact cushion - as per my postIve now got the recaro start for my 2 year old and he love sit, but does anyone know the part number or the "official / ebay" name of the bit that goes over their knees? Was this a TVR only part or do Recaro make one as well?
Many Thanks
My daughter has been happy in the Recaro Start v1 in the back since she was 18 months old. At 21 months we did a 500 mile round trip from Essex to Devon - absolutely fine. The impact cushion is a bit restrictive for real youngsters - need to let them out every couple of hours to cool down.
As for noise, when I give it rice, she says "Wheeeeeeee!!"
I got the seat second hand (The current Recaro Start model seems to be a bit bigger than the v1, maybe too big for the cerb, so I decided to get the old model as recommended by several) - it came with the impact cushion.
As for noise, when I give it rice, she says "Wheeeeeeee!!"
I got the seat second hand (The current Recaro Start model seems to be a bit bigger than the v1, maybe too big for the cerb, so I decided to get the old model as recommended by several) - it came with the impact cushion.
Bring some earplugs
As has been said earlier, it's the REAR FACING seats you won't get in the back at all, they will need to go on front passenger seat. Forward facing seats which kick in around 9 months or so will go in the rear but how they fit and if they are safe comes down to seat choice. Recaro Start is the usual suspect but there have been others mentioned over the years - to use the Recaro with youngsters (9months up) then you'll want the impact cushion to go with it, this can be dropped later and it then becomes more like a very good booster seat.
As has been said earlier, it's the REAR FACING seats you won't get in the back at all, they will need to go on front passenger seat. Forward facing seats which kick in around 9 months or so will go in the rear but how they fit and if they are safe comes down to seat choice. Recaro Start is the usual suspect but there have been others mentioned over the years - to use the Recaro with youngsters (9months up) then you'll want the impact cushion to go with it, this can be dropped later and it then becomes more like a very good booster seat.
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