Child in the front - daft idea?

[gixxer1000]

Folks, just wondered whether anyone recommends fitting a child seat in the front of the Cerbera?

We have a child seat already, and it's not the Recaro Start that seems the best option for the rear of the Cerb, and I was just wondering whether using my existing child seat in the front was a daft idea or not (other than the obvious potential of being more at risk in the front in general).

Cheers,
gixxer
ps - child in question is coming up for 2 years old.

[Tam Lin]

gixxer1000 said:

Folks, just wondered whether anyone recommends fitting a child seat in the front of the Cerbera? ps - child in question is coming up for 2 years old.

When our sprog was too small to go into a front facing seat, we fitted a rear facing seat in the front, but I'm not sure I'd want to put him there now. He's almost 3, and happy in the standard (second-hand) leather covered TVR baby seat in the back.

I think if they're siting next to you, chances of having Postman Pat flung at you is quite high. Having them in the back gives you at least some cover...and it removes gearsticks, keys etc from (their) easy reach.

[jon h]

As there is no airbag, which is the main reason for not putting kids in front seats, I see no issue assuming it is installed safely. The big problem, I guess, is if the sprog is in the passenger seat, the missus will be in the back, and probably not too pleased about that!

Jon H

[gixxer1000]

jon h said:

.....The big problem, I guess, is if the sprog is in the passenger seat, the missus will be in the back, and probably not too pleased about that! Jon H

The missus hates the Cerbera. I was thinking daddy and daughter time only.

gixxer

[Tripps]

Can't see any problems with safety beyond any other cars (without passenger airbags) on the older Cerbs, except perhap that the seat-belt might be too slack, but you can buy tensioners for them for around £9 at Halfords, so that issue can be avoided. On newer Cerb with the Tuscan seats it might be worth removing the seat base for a more stable base, depending upon seat design.

The reasons I don't have the kids in the front is to keep the passenger seat free for friends, collegues or my wife, and most importantly so I don't have problems with the child who sits there expecting to be a front seat passenger in every car, demanding to be driven in the Cerby over the family cars for the commanding position.

I used to have my eldest daughter beside me in the S and it was great to have the company although she did expect to hold hands and was often not be prepared to let go for gear changes! With the Cerb I now have both girls in the back, eldest feels very grown up in there setting behind me with a seat belt adjuster as her feet touch the floor, while the youngest is behind the passenger, so I can glance back and reach her when she starts thinking that painting the interior with chocolate is a good idea.

I must say the acoustics in the back aren't bad for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and other songs, should your younster be in the singing mood!

[julesy]

When I first picked up my car I had my 4 month old in the front in a rear-facing Mamas and Papas contraption. He's now happy in his Britax car seat in the back next to his 4 yr old brother who just uses the regular seatbelt.

Only problem I found in the front was getting the seat in and out - ended up putting seat in first then baby in second... seemed to work OK.

Julesy

[Plotloss]

Plottot was perfectly happy in the front of the Chim when she was first born.

Maxi Cosi Citi fitted perfectly so no worries on that front.

[gazzab]

My only reservation is that the rear facing seat is squashed between seat and dash. and the seat is next to a door that is set low and exposed if side on accident. At least in the back you have got the rear pillar and the wheel.