GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

We're taking a new 2009 Vibe for a day. We're looking at buying one to replace my 1998 Honda Civic sedan. Wanting something that's economical, reliable, a little bigger and mainly SAFER for my daughter (4 1/2) and next child.For the current time we'll place a carseat in the middle and eventually one on each side. I was wondering how y'all felt about the safety and stability of the seat in the Vibe. We'll use the LATCH in the center and sides until she reaches the weight limit.Any info is appreciated.Thanks

we don't have a 09 but so far no issues with using a babyseat and booster seat on either side. I like how easy it is to reach the latches in the back and the height of the car helps on your back when lifting them in and out

This is a great safe car.Our Frost White was totalled and my son was in his rear facing seat right behind the driver. Not a scratch on him.One complaint.It's a little cramped trying to put the seat in.I have to move the front seats fwd to install the seat and then move it back after I get in.

Thanks for the info. Right now she has to ride in a side seat and it has no side airbags. We've got a 3/4 ton truck a van also, but looking for something to use more often that's safe and economical.

the Scion xB has more rear legroom and a higher crash test safety for rear side impact. But when looking at the numbers the 4 star vibe tested almost the same as the 5star xB so the safety diff is a wash. xB is wider and bigger in the back.Both will fit car seats well.BTW, we do not put our kids in booster seats but instead purchased the biggest Britax regents seat. Booster seats fail to keep kids put in crashes expecially in roll overs and are not as safe as the regents. I would highly highly recommend anyone with kids get this giant car seat instead of a booster.

I've had 2 96 Honda Civic's (one 2 door and one 4 door) still have the 4dr..I have a 06 vibe, and we just had a baby. b/c I already have one child, I couldn't put the baby seat in the middle, I use the latch system and it is even more secure than what I ever could get it in my wife's 4dr Civic. It works really well, but I would have to agree: Quote, originally posted by Nelson »One complaint.It's a little cramped trying to put the seat in.I have to move the front seats fwd to install the seat and then move it back after I get in.This to me isn't a big issue, probably b/c I know in no time they will be out of this kind of child seat.

We use a large seat with 5 point harness rated up to 65lbs. I've got the car now and just fitted the carseat. According to what I found on the internet I can place the seat with latch in the middle using the side anchors...correct? The seat is almost as wide from the inner latch on both sides. Plus there is a 3rd latch in the rear area that I assumed was for the middle row.

Quote, originally posted by tx_wrx »BTW, we do not put our kids in booster seats but instead purchased the biggest Britax regents seat. Booster seats fail to keep kids put in crashes expecially in roll overs and are not as safe as the regents. I would highly highly recommend anyone with kids get this giant car seat instead of a booster.+1 on the booster seat --- i should clarify, the seat is one of the all in one things where it grows with the kid

Quote, originally posted by Firescooby »According to what I found on the internet I can place the seat with latch in the middle using the side anchors...correct?Anyone confirm this?I know the middle is the safest place, But the anchors seemed to be further to the sides.

Middle seat placement works fine.You can even fit 3 child seats in the back if they're skinny enough like the Sunshine Radian 80.

I'm not sure that using the bottom LATCH anchor points is any different safetywise than using the lap/shoulder belt from the middle seat. Used lap/shoulder belts combined with upper LATCH for two kids. The point is that the seat shouldn't move around. At all.

K, thanks