Splash
New member
Okay...
I went out again tonight. I still love the Mazda5 but I don't want to risk it. I can't. If Mazda had a solid A+ record like Volvo or Subaru, it might be different. But let's face it, they've kinda failed recently.
So, the two front runners are now the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Subaru Forester. My dad is in love with the Santa Fe (though he's never been in one! just loves the way they look) and wants me to love it too. I like it, but...
I did like the Forester a lot though. It was physically impossible to get his carseat installed rear facing in the center, which bothers me. It's fine FF, but that's years away. Rear facing he would have to go on the side. I might be able to put his safeseat in there, but that's only for a few more months at the most.
My question is about side airbags and car seats.
SAB don't add to the structural integrity of the car. They prevent your head from pounding into solid steel and cracking open. Right?
So I can see them being a big deal for adult passengers. But a child in a car seat (especially a SIP one) is going to hit the sides of their carseat. Their head will likely never hit the side of the car. Am I right?
So, Charlie is going to be in a harnessed seat for at least 6 more years I would imagine. And once he's FF he can be in the center. After that he would be in a booster, probably also in the center. So in the center side airbags aren't going to matter at all.
But would side airbags make a significant safety difference to a child in a SIP child restraint? Especially rear facing?
I am sold on the Subaru almost. I hate that he has to be outboard, but I can live with it. He would have to be outboard in the Mazda anyway, and he is outboard in the van. It's just that if there is a center seat, I feel the need to use it!
So, do you think going without the SAB for the rear (they are standard in the front) is okay?
I am trying to convince myself it's okay to go without SAB, which I swore I would never ever do again.
I went out again tonight. I still love the Mazda5 but I don't want to risk it. I can't. If Mazda had a solid A+ record like Volvo or Subaru, it might be different. But let's face it, they've kinda failed recently.
So, the two front runners are now the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Subaru Forester. My dad is in love with the Santa Fe (though he's never been in one! just loves the way they look) and wants me to love it too. I like it, but...
I did like the Forester a lot though. It was physically impossible to get his carseat installed rear facing in the center, which bothers me. It's fine FF, but that's years away. Rear facing he would have to go on the side. I might be able to put his safeseat in there, but that's only for a few more months at the most.
My question is about side airbags and car seats.
SAB don't add to the structural integrity of the car. They prevent your head from pounding into solid steel and cracking open. Right?
So I can see them being a big deal for adult passengers. But a child in a car seat (especially a SIP one) is going to hit the sides of their carseat. Their head will likely never hit the side of the car. Am I right?
So, Charlie is going to be in a harnessed seat for at least 6 more years I would imagine. And once he's FF he can be in the center. After that he would be in a booster, probably also in the center. So in the center side airbags aren't going to matter at all.
But would side airbags make a significant safety difference to a child in a SIP child restraint? Especially rear facing?
I am sold on the Subaru almost. I hate that he has to be outboard, but I can live with it. He would have to be outboard in the Mazda anyway, and he is outboard in the van. It's just that if there is a center seat, I feel the need to use it!
So, do you think going without the SAB for the rear (they are standard in the front) is okay?
I am trying to convince myself it's okay to go without SAB, which I swore I would never ever do again.