Even though this conversation is old, but just as I was researching and I'm sure others will come across this string as well.
We're looking for baby seats for our Benz and Saab and when I came across the below quoted fallacy I absolutely had to say something on it. Talk about "cholk full of bad advice" In just the short time skimming a few pages, I'm shocked to see how much incorrect info and options are posted.
First, although they're a bit unknown, and can be quirky - Saabs are one of the safest cars you'll find on the road, designed with safety and functionality in mind. I've seen posts saying Saab are based on the Impreza, when that couldn't be further than the truth. I also read baby seat tethers being mounted in the ceiling of Saabs? Not true.
During the late 90's through the mid 2000's (99- 02, 03) you can find a lot of commonality it Saab's two most popular lines, the 9-3 and 9-5 (not to be mistaken for year) But even between these two models there were differences.
I did see some good advice here on the Saabs when someone referred to checking the manual. Saab manuals are also probably one the best written, most informative and intuitive manuals I've seen and read. They completely describe where and how to use the specifically designed baby seat hooks, tethers... however you want to refer to them.
Going back to the original erroneous quote about Saab not allowing the use of center seat anchors because it is not reinforced and may fail in a collision is absolutely not true. That's a blanket statement based on what? There's no model given by the writer, no source of information
There is differentiation based on forward seating or reverse seating, and which anchor /tether points to use, or not use There is also a differentiation with car seats based on lower and upper tethers, and finally a distinction with car seat manufacturers.
All of those factors (and others) are what need to be taken into consideration - not a blanket statement that the middle back seat of Saabs are unsafe. UNTRUE.
Our 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero actually has THREE top side anchors on what they call the "parcel shelf" (behind the back seat) for each seat position in the back for forward seating, including the middle that are completely safe and very secure.
Another little unknown ingenious functionality (at least with 99 - 2002 9-5's) they come with an integrated child booster seat. (center back) When a child has grown too big for their traditional baby/booster seat, the Saab already has one built in - of course, used with the Saab seat belt.
There's a very good chance you can view your car manual when doing your own research for child and booster seats right here online:
http://www.manualowl.com
This site had "some" good info specifically on seat postions, do's and don'ts:
http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system_10.html
But be careful because they way the word their lists are still not completely accurate because of blanket assumptions on car models and car seats.
When all done and said - still first default to the car manual of the specific model of Saab (your car) and ultimately with the seat manufacturer. Heck, call a dealership if not sure and ask them. But ultimately, every car manual will tell you to default to what the seat is designed for.
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