Kid seats?

[Ira Davis]

"The Ghetto Lean"... damn, now that's funny! I see you like that as much as I do. No, I'm not interested in hanging myself in a front end collision.

I'm really happy that the power seat belts from hell can easily be swapped! Thanks!

[DreamingOfSpeed]

Ok lets try this again. I started to answer this and half way thru my post my power zapped my machine and killed the HD.

I'm a child passenger safety technician and a child restraint systems specialist. There are a few things you should know about car seats and the SVX.

First of all car manufactures were not required to put a manual licking mechanism on seat belts until 1996 (did not take into effect until 1997 model years) so all the SVX made between 92 and 96 require locking clips or lock offs. Locking clips arent easy to be do and i would strongly suggest you take the seat to a CPST like myself to have it installed (be sure to ask how to do it yourself if they dont offer to show you so you know how to do it yourself when the kid pukes in the car. ) Locking clip installs generally take half an hour to get in once you've practiced, it can take a much longer time your first time. Getting less than 1" movement side to side and getting the seat belt to buckle is very difficult (if you dont know to use a locking clip you have to put the belt thru the seat and tighten it down then unbuckle the belt holding it at the length you need then putting the clip on and attempting to rebuckle. It takes at least 4 tries normally to get the belt long enough to buckle without excessive movement.) The second option is called a lock off and is a plastic piece of seat which acts as a locking clip without the work but the seats that have these are expensive (but oh so worth it)

The second thing to know is cosco, safety 1st, and Eddie Bauer (all the same manufacturer) seats do not fit forward facing in an SVX. They fit fine rear facing (which i assume your youngest is as he's only 1 year) but i've never gotten one correct forward facing and i've tried 6.

The cars also dont have tethers preinstalled (they do have drilled holes) the parts cost 12 dollars from a dealer and are REQUIRED for any forward facing seat using a harness (they reduce the movement of the child's head more than foot in a crash.)

The best fitting seats i've used in it (i've had almost every seat BRU sells installed in it one time or another) are the ones by britax. They are expensive but install easier than you can imagine and are very worth the money since they last to 65 lbs instead of 40 lbs like most convertibles.

Rear facing seats can be tough b/c it takes 3 pool noodles (the things you float on in a pool) to get the angle correct and the ceiling is rather short for the taller seats (britax marathon and siblings). The front seats are great for rear facing convertibles behind them, i can get my passenger seat almost all the way back with a seat fully reclined behind it and all the way back if the car seat is installed upright (you can install it at a 35 degree angle once the child is able to hold it head up unless your manual forbids it) Which makes it much easier for tall adults to ride in the car with you. Remember that even though rear facing car seats are inconvenient its the safest way for you child to travel. (Why rear facing is best)

Your oldest will probably be fairly old before she's ready to sit without a booster in the SVX as its a car designed for rather large adults. I barely pass the 5 step test (test used to determine if your child is ready to be out of a booster found Here) at 5 ft 2 in and 110 lb. The car is a bit narrow IMO and i would defiantly suggest you use a high back booster for the added side impact protection.

Well there a professionals opinion and the computer didnt blow this time