Yes, strat... Rwone is correct. The latest MY06 S2000 has a "smart" airbag for the passenger seat. Now, I don't know the detailed specs, but I think the airbag is disabled below 50 pounds. What I don't know is if there are different power levels for the airbag between, say, 50 pounds and 100 pounds...

Anyway, it's worth a look. It might be worth looking at an 06 (if you can afford a new car).

Best wishes. You know what to do.

 

Here's what I got back from safekids.org:

[QUOTE]
Hello Mr. Sxxxxx:

 

strat,

Listen, you were asking for absolutes, and you're not gonna' get 'em. What Ms. Walker told you is essentially what all of us have heard here.

The bottom line, though, is that life is full of risks. Go on and buy your pre-06 S2000 because you OBVIOUSLY want it!!! Life is fragile; enjoy it now!! Then, seriously, call AHM immediately and go through the process. It takes a while, but hey it's worth it. Waiting to afford a new 06 might just make you wait longer than getting the box put in. And, with the box, YOU control the disabling of the airbag -- that makes me feel even better than having some weight sensor do it, especially when my kid is close to the trip point (50 pounds, I think).

So,

 

Strat:

You should know better than to ask an organization if something (that may potentially open them up to liability) is O.K. You will either get one of two answers: "No, not safe" or "Not recommended". That's why they use wishy-washy words to get their point across. They will NEVER tell you the S2000 is safe, period. Hell, I won't tell you it's safe even though I have the switch and drive with the kid in the car on occasion.

If you do choose to go ahead and do not want to purchase an '06 make sure the car you buy is 2003 or earlier. 2004 and 2005 models cannot be fitted with airbag shut-off switches - at least the Honda ones.

And Chazmo's comments on "it takes a while" are quite true. A tad more than 9 months in my case to get the switch installed.

 

Y'know, on the flip side, the S2000 is a damn strong little car. I've seen footage of crash testing of the S2000 that stayed straight and solid and seem the same test with a Miata that folded up like someone bridging a deck of cards.

There are some things to think about... The x-bone frame is amazing... The manuverability of the car is equally amazing (accident avoidance!).

rw, I'm not convinced about the 04/05 models having a problem getting Honda support. Someone posted about that a few pages ago, and I pressed for more information from the poster but I don't think I got it... Are you SURE about that?

 

When I called for the switch, they were quite thorough in determining my model year. The documentation at Honda is 00-03 only. Nothing "yet" for 04-05. When "yet" comes is anyone's guess.

 

Ah, OK. I guess there were enough changes to the interior to make something invalid in the instructions for the earlier model.

"Yet" will probably be never since the MY06 is equipped with the smart bag.

 

[QUOTE=rworne,Nov 28 2005, 05:04 PM] Strat:

You should know better than to ask an organization if something (that may potentially open them up to liability) is O.K.

 

My daughter likes riding with me too. I don't know if it's the "S2000" or the fact that I take her for rides in it when the wife is off doing her weekly night class in college -- these rides usually end in some place she really likes: like Toys R Us.

So whether it's the car or the destination is still anyone's guess.

 

naturally, it's the car.


i'm often ferrying mine to or from pre-school... so, i know mine is definitely the car... especially since she begs for the top to be down and yells, "Faster Daddy! FASTER!!"

(my response to the "faster" is a lower gear and higher revs w/ the Fujitsubo and Comptech screaming. it keeps her happy, but kills my gas mileage. )