forward facing Child seat in an FB?
11-01-17, 10:12 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
forward facing Child seat in an FB?
I am looking at a 1984 GS model RX7 and wondering about feasibility of installing a forward facing toddler safety seat in passenger side of this car. Child is age 3 and approx 35 lbs. The picture is an example of the sort of seat I am talking about. Will this fit in an RX7 with the passenger seat pushed all the way back? I have to imagine in the past 40 years someone has transported children safely in these cars 
The car would basically be for going to weekend car shows with my son, not a daily driver.
Thank You for your help; I'll be around here reading up on the car and asking questions to decide if it's the right car for me, but this criteria is a pretty big part
The car would basically be for going to weekend car shows with my son, not a daily driver.
Thank You for your help; I'll be around here reading up on the car and asking questions to decide if it's the right car for me, but this criteria is a pretty big part
11-01-17, 11:29 PM
#2
Damn, it did start!
I feel more than qualified to help. I even ran with a back seat, which was frustrating because the rear seats are really toddler sized and car seats will not work. Back to your question... I can't see any issues. the sets are pretty flat compared to newer cars. you have no airbag to disable. and the "back seat" laws need not apply if there is no back seat. There are child seat install checks that some law enforcement agencies and affiliates have for public safety. Ask to speak to an officer if you have questions about child seat safety.
Now, my experience was 18 years ago. My son now has his own SA, so he was raised right. Anyways... It mostly worked for me... but I will ask some tough questions. Are you prepared to be broken down in a 33 year old car waiting with a 3 year old for AAA to tow you. Do you have AAA or a similar service? What is the condition of the car. Is it a well maintained and safe example, or is it a compromise of safety and reliability to get it on the road? Last is your own driving experience. Are you custom to no ABS, rear wheel drive? No traction control? Modern technologies have made for exceptionally safe machines with computers and airbags and such. A good driver in an FB, I believe, is safer than a inexperienced driver in a modern car. Most people are not as good as they think they are. Are you on point enough that your kid is safe with the onslaught of massive vehicles trying to run you down. For me driving an RX-7 requires the same mentality of riding a motorcycle.
Yes, you can have a good time with your kid, and the experience can grow into a multi generation enthusiast thing in the future. Just remember safety.
Now, my experience was 18 years ago. My son now has his own SA, so he was raised right. Anyways... It mostly worked for me... but I will ask some tough questions. Are you prepared to be broken down in a 33 year old car waiting with a 3 year old for AAA to tow you. Do you have AAA or a similar service? What is the condition of the car. Is it a well maintained and safe example, or is it a compromise of safety and reliability to get it on the road? Last is your own driving experience. Are you custom to no ABS, rear wheel drive? No traction control? Modern technologies have made for exceptionally safe machines with computers and airbags and such. A good driver in an FB, I believe, is safer than a inexperienced driver in a modern car. Most people are not as good as they think they are. Are you on point enough that your kid is safe with the onslaught of massive vehicles trying to run you down. For me driving an RX-7 requires the same mentality of riding a motorcycle.
Yes, you can have a good time with your kid, and the experience can grow into a multi generation enthusiast thing in the future. Just remember safety.
Last edited by Richard Miller; 11-02-17 at 12:11 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by t_g_farrell:
DreamInRotary (11-02-17),
Richard Miller (11-02-17)
11-02-17, 11:41 AM
#4
The gokart comment is right-on.
I'd say go for it as well, so long as you're not being dumb and driving recklessly. One thing I'd caution is to make sure your seats work properly though, that the release mechanism for the seat to fold forward is truly locked and won't release during an accident. I know the seat belt would help to hold it upright, but still something I would check out.
I'd say go for it as well, so long as you're not being dumb and driving recklessly. One thing I'd caution is to make sure your seats work properly though, that the release mechanism for the seat to fold forward is truly locked and won't release during an accident. I know the seat belt would help to hold it upright, but still something I would check out.
11-02-17, 02:41 PM
#5
I love my RX7. I attack highway traffic everyday at 81 MPH. Do I feel safe and have a blast? Yes. Am I safe by virtue of the car? No way. IMO, call a spade a spade - in today's world, compared to other cars - these cars aren't safe all. No airbags. No ABS. No radar. No modern crash engineering. Their size and weight alone make them a danger. Cars have come a long ways in 30 years - and gotten a lot bigger, taller, and heavier. I love and agree with the motorcycle analogy - I've often thought the same thing myself when coming up on a truck...
If the most important issue is a child's safety, it takes a lot of rationalization to chose an '84 RX7.
On the other hand - I used to roll around and play on a piece of foam when I was a kid in the back of a cream colored '68 Chevrolet Impala station wagon while Mom and Dad drove down the highway at 90 MPH smoking Marlboros - and I lived to tell about it...
If the most important issue is a child's safety, it takes a lot of rationalization to chose an '84 RX7.
On the other hand - I used to roll around and play on a piece of foam when I was a kid in the back of a cream colored '68 Chevrolet Impala station wagon while Mom and Dad drove down the highway at 90 MPH smoking Marlboros - and I lived to tell about it...
11-02-17, 09:07 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I've had numerous 70's, 80's, 90's MG's, Miatas, Corvettes, BMW's (small and big 6's) and Porsches, Mustangs, 300ZX, etc. I'll agree these aged designs do not provide the passive or active safety items of todays modern cars. I just was not sure of putting a child seat into an RX-7 to use for Cars and Coffee, local car shows, etc. I'll be mindful to check seatback release locks. I would never use the car for daily driving. I have a much newer, roomier, safer modern sedan that I use for work and carrying my kid around most of the time and the RX-7 will be a sunny day car for secondary roads, not long highway drives. I renewed my AAA Gold just recently too but before I even found the car.