Baby seat?

[GTI6]

G'day

can't find this question on any threads so I'll post it here

I absolutely love the gti but my wife and I are thinkng about kids as well. So the question is: does anyone out there have young kids or even babies and can fit the baby seat in the back without affecting the comfort of the front passenger or driver? And also the pram in the boot without much problems?

Thanks

[Axis]

This might help...from the MKV forum:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f15/maxi-cosi-travel-system-isofix-mkv-gti-40887.html

[alebonau]

G'day

can't find this question on any threads so I'll post it here

I absolutely love the gti but my wife and I are thinkng about kids as well. So the question is: does anyone out there have young kids or even babies and can fit the baby seat in the back without affecting the comfort of the front passenger or driver? And also the pram in the boot without much problems?

Thanks

yep no probs at all, ours is a "safe and sound" baby seat and also have a kiddie seat in the back. the boot takes a pram no probs either. and you wont needs any fancy pants stuff that costs a fortune either. you'll find the run of the mill stuff fit just fine.

there will be some differneces between models, but if you go to any baby bunting store they'll let you try seats in the car and have a complimentary fitting service if all a mystery for you

[Corey_R]

I'm with you there. The Iso-Fix system is superior. It's just that Australia has a habbit of thinking that it's better than everyone else and must approve everything for itself. This means that we're often slow on the uptake of these types of things.

(Although, I can kinda understand, since we're not in Europe, or the Americas, but in Asia Pacific, with many countries with very lax safety requirements... I guess in a way we kinda have to ensure imported products live up to a safety specification, since many of the countries we import products from in AP either don't have a safety requirement or are way below what is expected in Australia).

[alebonau]

in australia we are infact very safety concious. working in industry I often import industrial machinery and can tell you as far as safety standards go nothing is upto our standards here in oz. And this is multi million dollar stuff am talking not some cheap nasty gear. American safety standards is about the worse. and anything from europe with CE rating means nothing. Means any equipment we bring in we usually have to bring upto our local standards.

re child seating, anything sold here does meet australian standard and that does mean something. doesnt mean theres nothing better around just that meets a basic level of safety as required by australian standard. So sure you can buy something that exceeds the standards but also means you can also buying something to australian standards with some level of surity. Bike helmets probably a great example, whether you buy a $20 kmart helmet or a $150 euro one from the bike shop, they all meet austrlian standard.

I'd be wary buying anything quite personally that doesnt come with the australian standards accreditation as know some of the vigorous testing the stuff has to go through to meet the requirements.

as to what to buy, am sure that will be a personal decision, I know when we were buying our baby seats it can be quite confusing given all the choices. but foudn there are retailers with a good bit of range and product to choose from and people to help you through the choices. Good bit of info around on the net as well if want to research so a lot out there to help you decide what best fits your needs and budget.

[dopey]

What's the ISOFIX stuff worth?

[BBP]

in australia we are infact very safety concious. working in industry I often import industrial machinery and can tell you as far as safety standards go nothing is upto our standards here in oz. And this is multi million dollar stuff am talking not some cheap nasty gear. American safety standards is about the worse. and anything from europe with CE rating means nothing. Means any equipment we bring in we usually have to bring upto our local standards.

re child seating, anything sold here does meet australian standard and that does mean something. doesnt mean theres nothing better around just that meets a basic level of safety as required by australian standard. So sure you can buy something that exceeds the standards but also means you can also buying something to australian standards with some level of surity. Bike helmets probably a great example, whether you buy a $20 kmart helmet or a $150 euro one from the bike shop, they all meet austrlian standard.

I'd be wary buying anything quite personally that doesnt come with the australian standards accreditation as know some of the vigorous testing the stuff has to go through to meet the requirements.

as to what to buy, am sure that will be a personal decision, I know when we were buying our baby seats it can be quite confusing given all the choices. but foudn there are retailers with a good bit of range and product to choose from and people to help you through the choices. Good bit of info around on the net as well if want to research so a lot out there to help you decide what best fits your needs and budget.

Alebonau makes many useful and patently correct observations above. I'll just make one.

Iso-Fix is better, so buy it.

[alebonau]

just be aware that isofix is simply just a standard of fixing seats.

ISO - FAQs - ISOFIX and passenger safety systems in road vehicles

it was invented because of the mis fitting of seats that often occurs with conventional seat belt secured seats - iso fix simplifies that. But it is no reflection of inherent safety of the seat itself. Just because a seat has an isofix mounting system doesnt mean it is automatically a safer seat.

[JP-009]

G'day

can't find this question on any threads so I'll post it here

I absolutely love the gti but my wife and I are thinkng about kids as well. So the question is: does anyone out there have young kids or even babies and can fit the baby seat in the back without affecting the comfort of the front passenger or driver? And also the pram in the boot without much problems?

Thanks

Not sure how different the Mk6 is to the Mk5, but have a read of these threads, as they might help...

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f15/baby-seat-mkv-golf-11225.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f15/baby-seat-suit-mkv-20502.html

(Search under mk5 baby seat)

As mentioned above, it comes down to personal opinion and preference.

Have fun practicing your baby making

[booya]

I've got a 2.5 yo and a 4.5 yo in a maxi rider and booster seat, no probs. If your wife and you are tall (eg. beyond 6 foot) you may find it a squash if you have a newborn and need a rear facing baby seat (unless you pop it in the centre). Isofix is easier but not necessary. If you start worrying about isofix versus aussie standard fitment loops (behind the rear bench), you might as well get a big SUV cause its splitting hairs. I find there's too much paranoia about kid safety. A sensible driving style is more important than the brand of baby seat.

[GTI6]

I've got a 2.5 yo and a 4.5 yo in a maxi rider and booster seat, no probs. If your wife and you are tall (eg. beyond 6 foot) you may find it a squash if you have a newborn and need a rear facing baby seat (unless you pop it in the centre). Isofix is easier but not necessary. If you start worrying about isofix versus aussie standard fitment loops (behind the rear bench), you might as well get a big SUV cause its splitting hairs. I find there's too much paranoia about kid safety. A sensible driving style is more important than the brand of baby seat.

Wow! booya, what else can you fit into your GTI?

My wife and I are fortunately not that tall, but she does seem to enjoy her leg room .

I think from all the answers, the general consensus is that the GTI has plenty of room for baby seat(s).

Thanks to all for the great info.

[Maverick]

I've got a 2.5 yo and a 4.5 yo in a maxi rider and booster seat, no probs. If your wife and you are tall (eg. beyond 6 foot) you may find it a squash if you have a newborn and need a rear facing baby seat (unless you pop it in the centre). Isofix is easier but not necessary. If you start worrying about isofix versus aussie standard fitment loops (behind the rear bench), you might as well get a big SUV cause its splitting hairs. I find there's too much paranoia about kid safety. A sensible driving style is more important than the brand of baby seat.

There is a massive difference in safety between the ISO FIX seats and the Australian seats.

Side impact + Australia seats = Certain death or serious injury
Side impact + ISO FIX seats = Injury

There is nothing to stop the seat from propelling the child's head into the window on the car in a side impact using the Australia seats.

Plenty of proof has been posted before on here that was conducted in countries that have a much more impressive history with safety. Australia is the country in which we don't mandate fire extinguishers, warning triangles, first aid kits, vests and so forth in every car.

Proof - http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f15/...tml#post215477

[Maverick]

in australia we are infact very safety concious. working in industry I often import industrial machinery and can tell you as far as safety standards go nothing is upto our standards here in oz.

LOL. You should have put a smiley at the end of that so people know you're joking.

The EU mandates first aid kits, safety hammers (in countries with canals), warning triangles, vests, fire extinguishers and more in every car sold. What does "safety conscious" Australia mandate in every car? Other than the fuel usage sticker which is illegal for the dealer to the remove I can't think of much. Also in most countries make their drivers do first aid courses and actually teach their drivers how to drive not just to steer a car and keep up an arbitrary speed limit.

re child seating, anything sold here does meet australian standard and that does mean something. doesnt mean theres nothing better around just that meets a basic level of safety as required by australian standard. So sure you can buy something that exceeds the standards but also means you can also buying something to australian standards with some level of surity. Bike helmets probably a great example, whether you buy a $20 kmart helmet or a $150 euro one from the bike shop, they all meet austrlian standard.

The child seat Australian Standard's mean nothing. You can sell child seats that don't meet the standards because there is no mandatory testing of imports and the imported can bring in anything after the first batch and not get it picked up. So little is checked in Australia to check it complies that it's almost pointless having standards.

I'd be wary buying anything quite personally that doesnt come with the australian standards accreditation as know some of the vigorous testing the stuff has to go through to meet the requirements.

Sure but as I said above once it meets the requirement they can make changes to production and it's not picked up.

as to what to buy, am sure that will be a personal decision, I know when we were buying our baby seats it can be quite confusing given all the choices. but foudn there are retailers with a good bit of range and product to choose from and people to help you through the choices. Good bit of info around on the net as well if want to research so a lot out there to help you decide what best fits your needs and budget.

They all sell the same flawed seat, the Australian Standard has serious flaws and children die every year because of the backwards and outdated Australia Standard. The majority of seats in Australian cars are fitted incorrectly and none of the seats has any real protection against side impacts.

There is plenty of proof out there to back this up. Some of it can be found here - http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f15/...tml#post215477

ISOFIX saves lives = FACT.
Delays in updating the ADR's to allow ISOFIX costing lives = FACT.

[JustCruisn]

Just remember that if you don't use a seat with that meets the standard, you are breaking the law.
You could get a ticket from a coppa if they so wanted to check.
You invalidate any CTP claim you otherwise may have.

So if you import an isofix seat and get hit by a bus, you have to pay for all medical expenses etc out of your own pocket.
If your kid dies in an accident you may be charged with manslaughter.

Choice have a review on baby seats
Child car restraints review and compare with Choice.com.au

[JP-009]

I wonder how the stats are regarding injury/death of infants (percentage of population wise) from the 1970's compare with today?

How many people here grew up in the '70s (or earlier for that matter) with no child seats/restraints that are still happy, healthy and posting on this forum?

I agree with booya, most accidents are avoidable with the driver having the right attitude, training and experience.