Okay...I picked up a new S two weeks ago and I need to transport my niece from Tampa to Orlando....She's like 4 years old.

Am I gonna have issues with the child seat?

And do I risk damaging the passenger seat in my S by putting in a child seat?

 

I think you need to worry about the passenger side airbag more than your seats. Can you "turn off" the airbag in an '04, because I know you can't in a '00.

There is a company listed below that can install a switch to turn you bag off. They quoted me $400 an will install it at your home or work. These switches are common in police cars with lap top stands that would be hit by the passenger airbag. I have heard of smaller elderly people have installed them as well.

I think your niece must be 60 pounds to ride safely in the seat with the bag on...I think that is law in CA.



http://www.airbagswitches.com/

 

Rent a car. If you love your niece (which it sounds like you do) don't take the risk. The S2000 is not designed for kids that young and small.

You may be the safest driver on the planet but it is all the other drivers that you need to worry about.

Your niece is worth the $100 or so you you would pay for 2 days rental.

 

I agree..I'd be thinking about your niece's safety with respect to the airbag, instead of worrying about your seats

 

There are some threads on this subject, search for some good info. Some have done it, some won't do it. Understand the primary concern is danger from the explosive packed in your dashboard that is powerful enough to kill unbuckled people (silly me, I keep forgetting that it's there for my safety). You have to consider what risk there is to a properly restrained person, whether big or little, in a childseat or not. Also, I'd strongly suggest you check with her parents first, they may override whatever you decide.