Hey all, first post here.

I've just about decided on a 04' Silverstone w/ red interior as my next car. Man, they are beautiful.

I have just one last minor problem. The GF is freaking out about her 4yo son riding in a 2-seater. Somehow, she knows only two things about the S2000. It is beautiful (good for me) and that the passenger airbag can't be switched off (really bad for me).

I did a search and found the thread about the airbag disable switch you can have installed, and thought I was good to go. Now she is freaking because she doesn't think it's safe to have her son in the car for the 2 mile drive home on the occasional times I have to pick him up from day care.

Help me convince the GF. How do you guys/gals feel about having small children in the car? And hey, if you think it's a bad idea, please say so.

 

I suppose the best place for a little kid is in a back seat. Not that I have any little kids anymore but I wouldn't have a problem with putting one in the passenger seat of an S2000. Just get the airbag legally disabled, make sure the boy has the proper booster seat or car seat if he's tiny and ensure the seat belt has that little mod that keeps it from going over his little neck. If you want to give him a thrill and give additional sense of security to his mom, get the little guy a child's helmet.

 

IMO it's a bad idea. The owner's manual says it is too.

 

If you disable the airbag and have the kid belted in correctly, then I don't see what the problem is. Maybe get him a saftey helmet?

I'd get the car, install the switch, and get on with life. Then again, I don't have to live with your gf! Good luck.

 

Take your girlfriend's car for the kid! If you have to, you'll just have to get used to taking two cars wherever you go!

 

The owner's manual does not make compensation for the airbag disable kit, thus the lawyers most likely had a hand in writing that part. This is in the same philosophy as the manual saying you must only operate the top when the engine is OFF! That's lawyer-speak and it's one less thing that Honda can get sued for.

 

natedoggs2k,

That was my idea. I'd just take her car on the days I'd have to pick up the boy. But for some reason she wants to marry me ;-) and apparently she's thinking I'd be picking him up regularly at that point. I think she's confused but that is a topic for another forum.

I like helmet idea. He's young enough not to understand what a dork he'd look like ;-)

 

jasont:

I like helmet idea. He's young enough not to understand what a dork he'd look like ;-)

 

I agree with XVIPER, pull out the airbag if you want to put a child in there. There are switches, but you do not want to find out that the switch didnt work, either by the bag deploying during an accident or by the bag deploying without cause due to a fault connection or something. It could be fatal for the poor guy if it happens while hes in there.

I suggest that its not a "if you move the seat as far back as it goes the schematics of the bag will prevent contact with a child" decision. Just not worth it IMO.

Be aware that you'll have to replace it when you sell the car.

 

Wait a minute! She is your girlfriend correct? Since you are not married to her, I really do not see the problem. I am not saying to ignore her concern, I am just saying that it is a girlfriend and you are not legally binded to her. Once you are married, she is the boss but until then do whatever you want. Good luck.