And WTF are you thinking about with a 5 year old in the front? (booster or not)

WTF wrong with that??

What would happen If I owned a two seater due to a mid life crisis??

Legally she Is fine, we don't have bordem tantrums as we play games like mini spot, while the wife entertains the youngest In the back & with the lowering of the seat belt clasp on the side the seat belt fits her better than If she was In the rear.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/145288-childrens-age-airbags-rule/page__p__1818885__fromsearch__1entry1818885

I've got the Skoda Fabia Estate with the 1.2 engine.

I find it a good all round practical, but compact family car. The 1.2 engine is great as it's cam chain so there's no cam belt to replace, it's very economical for a petrol and pulls OK even with 5 passengers and some luggage, but you certainly won't be wining any races at the lights. It drives very well with plenty of feel and minimal body roll, it feels much larger than it is and cruises very well on A roads and M roads.

The estate gives you that little bit extra room over the hatchback and the extra room is all in the boot. I agree with what has been said regarding the leg room at the rear, with both front seats fully back, it's plenty of room for kids and adults can fit in but they won't have much room to move about.

You can fit 4 adults and a small child in the middle rear seat with no problem - 5 adults can squeeze in at a push for short distances, but I wouldn't recommend long trips.

Overall it suits our families needs perfectly, not too big, not too small, it's safe, but still cheap reliable motoring...

WTF wrong with that??

What would happen If I owned a two seater due to a mid life crisis??

Legally she Is fine, ........

Legally nothing (never said there was) but IMO the front seat of a car (especially with a passenger air bag fitted - and not disabled) is no place for a child to be.

We walked away from buying SWMBO a Mini because there was insufficient room in the rear for a 9 year old, (who is short for his age) and we both agree that the front seat is not an ideal place for him to be yet.

As for a two seater then legally there is nothing wrong with it, but practically speaking if it was the main or only car the child would be travelling in then it is simply a bad choice of car for the circumstances.

Lummox said his old estate was up for sale again... BUY THAT ITS AWESOME!!!!! I loved driving it and loooooads of boot space for trips to Toys R Us haha

Thinking about it, would the estate be any good as a comprimise?

I do have to say I've never had issues - and thinking of it I used to shop ever wednesday with my mate and her daughter. We had 2 3 year olds in the back (so still in bulky seats) 2 buggys (my mclaren and her Quinny) plus our shopping and although you had to play a little game of Tetris to get stuff in it wasnt a major headache. But for peace of mind just go for the Estate?

Would Trish swap with you for say a week trial maybe? But of a long way to come but you are very welcome to have mine for a week!

Legally nothing (never said there was) but IMO the front seat of a car (especially with a passenger air bag fitted - and not disabled) is no place for a child to be.

We walked away from buying SWMBO a Mini because there was insufficient room in the rear for a 9 year old, (who is short for his age) and we both agree that the front seat is not an ideal place for him to be yet.

As for a two seater then legally there is nothing wrong with it, but practically speaking if it was the main or only car the child would be travelling in then it is simply a bad choice of car for the circumstances.

All you've done there is re-iterate three times that you (and your wife) think it's a bad idea without answering the original question of what's wrong with it.

Now there's an idea Oggy - a finely modified Fab estate. Should tick all the boxes :yes:

All you've done there is re-iterate three times that you (and your wife) think it's a bad idea without answering the original question of what's wrong with it.

There are several processional groups who think it's a bad idea, this is just one:

"Recommended safety measures for children aged three to six years old

Children in this age group weighing 15 to 25kg should be carried in the back seat in approved child seats, which must be fastened with the car's three-point seat belt."

"Why are airbags dangerous for children? Airbags were made to protect adults weighing about 75kg.

They are very powerful when they're inflated, and they're placed so low that a child placed in front of an airbag may suffocate or be severely injured by the impact of a rapidly inflating airbag.

If your child is younger than 12 years, they must never sit in a front-seat with an active airbag in front of them. When your child is over 12 and wants to sit in the front seat, move the seat as far back as possible."

As most cars now have passenger airbags our reasons are even more relevant.

There are several processional groups who think it's a bad idea,

Yeah...seems to be a little light on facts there too.

All well and good the supposition that airbags are dangerous, but if a wagon drives into the back of you it's probably going to be safer for a kid to be in the front, no?

All well and good the supposition that airbags are dangerous, but if a wagon drives into the back of you it's probably going to be safer for a kid to be in the front, no?

So on that point when you drive into the back of something it's better for the child to be in the rear - as far away as possible! .

So on that point when you drive into the back of something it's better for the child to be in the rear - as far away as possible! .

Indeed...and as the front is usually actually the mid-point of the car if you're talking hot hatches you're providing "equal" crumple areas for both front and rear impacts.

Never seen an engine pushed back enough to crush the rear passengers legs though, have you?

Either way if you are unfortunate enough to be in a crash big enough to completely destroy the crumple zone enough to trap a kid then you won't be worrying about it for very long.

Im not talking about any size car in general (let alone a 'hot' hatch)

Im not suggesting everyone to follow their advice, i however have chosen to - speak to anyone who has had an airbag go off in front of their face and they will tell you it's not a pleasant experience, so I so one do not wish to put a child in a position where it could happen, your views on what is an acceptable risk is down to you to decide.

Either way if you are unfortunate enough to be in a crash big enough to completely destroy the crumple zone enough to trap a kid then you won't be worrying about it for very long.

Indeed, can't disagree with you there...

Im not suggesting everyone to follow their advice, i however have chosen to - speak to anyone who has had an airbag go off in front of their face and they will tell you it's not a pleasant experience, so I so one do not wish to put a child in a position where it could happen, your views on what is an acceptable risk is down to you to decide.

Speaking from experience, hitting your face on the back of the front seat isn't particularly pleasant either!

I'm not criticising your decision at all, but when you post "And WTF are you thinking about with a 5 year old in the front?" it doesn't sound like you're not suggesting everyone follows that advice...

Lummox said his old estate was up for sale again... BUY THAT ITS AWESOME!!!!! I loved driving it and loooooads of boot space for trips to Toys R Us haha

Thinking about it, would the estate be any good as a comprimise?

I do have to say I've never had issues - and thinking of it I used to shop ever wednesday with my mate and her daughter. We had 2 3 year olds in the back (so still in bulky seats) 2 buggys (my mclaren and her Quinny) plus our shopping and although you had to play a little game of Tetris to get stuff in it wasnt a major headache. But for peace of mind just go for the Estate?

Would Trish swap with you for say a week trial maybe? But of a long way to come but you are very welcome to have mine for a week!

Thanks for the offer for using yours for a week

Do you or Ross have any Info on the sale of the Estate please? ie price or a link to an advertisement of It?

It looked really nice at the 09 Chatsworth show & I do believe It had quite a few modifications to It.

Thanks,

oz.

is that the silver 1 ? ....

I do believe it was for sale on here down below... will have a check in a tick - I have a child and puppy jumping on me!

..... all the mud has gone now hehehehehehe

So im thinking of selling the Vrs Estate