Technical Child car seat choices

[Retty]

I have a Panda without Isofix - just two rear seat seatbelts.

I've been told that my options for rear car seats are *very* limited because the Panda rear seat belt installation involves the belts being attached too far forward on the seat. This means that there is a lack of tension.

Has anyone else had this problem in fitting a child care seat to a non Isofix Panda?

I notice that newer Panda models (mine is 06) also have the same seat belt installations although newer models, I assume, all come with Isofix. It's odd if it is a problem that Fiat has not redesigned the belt installation.

Is there anything I can do?

Is it possible to have Isofix installed by a dealer or does it mean buying a new car?

Is it possible to have a new seat belt installation (a third belt was a factory option iirc) or is this not possible?

 

[Geddes]

I notice that newer Panda models (mine is 06) also have the same seat belt installations although newer models, I assume, all come with Isofix. It's odd if it is a problem that Fiat has not redesigned the belt installation.

New Pandas don't have isofix as standard. The isofix mountings are only present on the split-fold seat.
Presumably the split-fold seat would be a bolt-in replacement you can do yourself, but I can't say for sure.

Otherwise the best thing would be to get your seat from somewhere where they know about fitting them and have a range you can try out.

 

[highwayman1971]

What age child are we talking about? We have a Britax Eclipse seat which fits in the rear of our '04 Panda no problem.

 

[Retty]

New Pandas don't have isofix as standard. The isofix mountings are only present on the split-fold seat.
Presumably the split-fold seat would be a bolt-in replacement you can do yourself, but I can't say for sure.

Otherwise the best thing would be to get your seat from somewhere where they know about fitting them and have a range you can try out.

Thanks Geddes and Highwayman.

I'm looking for a Group 1 seat.

I took the Panda to a fitting centre and they were clear that the belts are positioned too far forward (by a few inches) for almost all seats (bar one with a different tensioner mechanism) to be fitted safely.

The only option seems to be front seat installation.

Is it possible to have Isofix added after sale? Has anyone managed to do it?

 

[highwayman1971]

According to the Britax website - britax.co.uk/car-seats/fit-finder , the Britax King (group 1) seat fits in the rear seats of the Panda as does the Britax Evolva 1-2-3 (groups 1,2 & 3). If you use the front seat don't forget to switch off the airbag.

 

[Retty]

According to the Britax website - britax.co.uk/car-seats/fit-finder , the Britax King (group 1) seat fits in the rear seats of the Panda as does the Britax Evolva 1-2-3 (groups 1,2 & 3). If you use the front seat don't forget to switch off the airbag.

Thank you.

Yes, I saw that - it is confusing but the professional fitter explained that virtually none of the seats can be fitted safely in a non Isofix Panda. His demo seemed to make sense.

Basically the seat belt buckle is positioned too far forward so that there is not enough distance between the seat base and the buckle for the tension closure to lock off the belt.

Hmm, but the seat manufacturer's websites do suggest that it should work.

Maybe I should try a second opinion.

Does anyone know if a dealer will fit Isofix bolts post sale? The chassis must be the same and the bolt fittings are surely present (even if split seats need to be installed).

 

[Wee Smurf]

I have 2 Bebe Confort (Maxi Cosi) Axiss seats which fit perfectly well. They're great for putting the wee ones in too as you turn the seat to face you as opposed to having to try to lean over them. They have a tensioner on them too so you get a good tight fit.

I do have isofix in my Panda, but have yet to buy an isofix seat. I think that it's only when you get to stage 2/3 that it is beneficial when the child starts to use the adult seat belt. You also run into the problem of needing a top tether or the extra leg to the floor for stabilising the seat. My Panda doesn't have anywhere for to tie the top tether.

 

[Retty]

I have 2 Bebe Confort (Maxi Cosi) Axiss seats which fit perfectly well. They're great for putting the wee ones in too as you turn the seat to face you as opposed to having to try to lean over them. They have a tensioner on them too so you get a good tight fit.

I do have isofix in my Panda, but have yet to buy an isofix seat. I think that it's only when you get to stage 2/3 that it is beneficial when the child starts to use the adult seat belt. You also run into the problem of needing a top tether or the extra leg to the floor for stabilising the seat. My Panda doesn't have anywhere for to tie the top tether.

Some Isofix seats require a top tether but most don't - or at least there are workarounds available.

One of my Panda's (Eleganza) has Isofix and the other (good one!) doesn't.

Can anyone answer: is there any way of adding Isofix fittings to the car after sale? The chassis should be the same so in theory it must be possible.

 

[trackdayqueen]

I have used a number of different child seats in my 100hp. I do have isofix, but the crappy seats the council supplies (I'm a social worker so have to remove/ferry the odd young child around) and I must admit none of them seem to fit that well.

This does concern me and I have had the situation where the seat belt doesn't even go long enough to fix the seat in. I normally end up with the baby rear facing seats wedged up against the back rest of the passenger seat. Forward facing seats fair better, but are still an utter PITA to use. I really do worry about the safety aspect (particularly as it will be on my head if someone else's child came a cropper in my car) but I still have to get my job done. Just wish they'd supply isofix seats.

I'd take advice from those who have found seats that really work and obviously try before you buy.

 

[Geddes]

I normally end up with the baby rear facing seats wedged up against the back rest of the passenger seat. Forward facing seats fair better

A rear facing seat would fare better in the front with the seat moved all the way back to make the most of the belt length. Airbag off of course.

 

[trackdayqueen]

A rear facing seat would fare better in the front with the seat moved all the way back to make the most of the belt length. Airbag off of course.

It probably would, though I don't like having babies in the front and often it's all a bit of a rush in a child protection emergency.

I'll certainly consider it though next time I'm in that situation. I guess it's just become the norm to always try and transport children in the back.

 

[Retty]

Well, I've discovered that it is technically possible to install the Isofix bolt fittings post factory (all of the Panda chassis are the same in this regard) but that safety certification issues may prevent post factory install :-(

So, I can't pay £1000 to have the work done but I can pay £7000 for a new car :bang:

What is crazy about this is that Isofix fittings problems/fittings damage can be rectified post factory - even if this means securing new parts.

I wish I had known this pre-purchase because I would have paid a little extra for the Isofix option

Maybe it will be possible to have the fittings installed.

 

[Retty]

Hmm, I've had a look at the Isofix fittings on my Eleganza. From what I can see these are basically bolted bars spannered on to the chassis.

Why this doesn't come as standard as a basic safety feature and why there is no simple after-sales upgrade option to add it is beyond me - this is such an important (essential) safety feature that it shouldn't be reserved for trim specific options.

I remember seeing Isofix installation recall notice. The problems were presumably fixed by dealers without factory recall.

I wouldn't usually bother pursuing this sort of thing but I tried an Isofix seat in my Eleganza today and, wow, I can see the benefit of it at least in terms of ease of use.

 

[happypanda]

We have a

Streety Travel System- Oxygen Black Bebe Confort

It fits a 08 Panda without Isofix and only 2 belts in the back fine, it fixes via one of the rear seatbelts via 3 points

And the frame fits in the boot no problem

got it from www.kiddisave.co.uk

the child seat fits on top of the frame as an alternate to using the pushchair attatchment

how old is your child?