H2NO

Since I will be driving the car most nice days, there will be many occasions where I will be picking up my boys. I could go home first and get my everyday car, but it would be very time consuming. Is it safe? Is it legal? Are these the three point buckles to purchase? http://pa.partsandaccessories.com/pa...20Belt&dp=true

84_Carrera

Well, FWIW, I've had my son in the back seat of my '84 Cab with just the lap belts since 11/04, when he had just turned 6. He's about to turn 8 in November, sits up front with me when mom's not with us. I figure the shoulder belt outweighs the back seat / lap belt in the equation.

Legal? Probably not. RI is now 8 YO / 80 lb before they're supposed to be out of a booster seat. It's been a moving target for the past 5 years, going from 4 / 40 to 6 / 60 & now 8 / 80. Gee, I survived being thrown around the back seat of a 70's Monte Carlo etc. without even using belts back then.

Mike Murphy

Not sure, but I must congratulate you for even considering a kid in the back seat. You could have traded it in for a minivan like so many others have done. I would like to find out if a car-seat fits back there in my car...

Real

Hey btdt50,

Congrats on your "new" Cab.. I have an '86 and remember the feeling I had when I had just got mine....you'll be lovin' it for years to come. Congrats again.
In regards to kids in the Cab....I think it just comes down to how you feel. I have friends that take their kids out often while my three year old, who wants to be in "the big red Porsche" all of the time doesn't get to ride in it just yet. I simply haven't taken the time to see if a booster seat will fit. And checking with the local law enforcement may be a good idea also. Regardless, I'll address it again one of these days, until then it's just me. I wish you the best with your car....never seems to get old.

Best wishes,
Real

Please upload some pics.

fpena944

Although I’m in a 944 Cab I had the same moral dilemma as well. I tried booster seats but most do not fit very securely within the seat so I simply let me 6 year old ride in the back without one. Granted I NEVER have the top down while she is there and most of my trips are pretty short as I’m either picking her up or dropping her off from school/day care.

I realize that newer cars have more advanced safety functions but back in 1991 these lap belts were considered sufficient so they can’t be all that bad. I do believe I’m probably not in full compliance with the law but with the size of the seats being what they are I could technically argue that they are built-in booster seats.

Just drive carefully, be aware, and make sure they buckle up while they’re in the vehicle. Even with all of the advances on newer vehicles we are not entirely safe against some of the more questionable drivers who are out there.

bpoteat

I would, at the least, install 3 point belts in the back. A not too bad DIY. You can get new 3 point belts for under $100 and, if I'm not mistaken, 84 and above already have the anchor for the top point back there and 3 point belts were an option.

Also, I have head that the Britax Roundabout (convertable to a booster) fits in the back with the seat pad taken out of the car. Rumor is that these are actually relabeled by porsche and sold as Porsche car seats. I wouldn't be surprised - they look exactly the same. And they are priced kinda steep. But, hey if it fits...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...955059?ie=UTF8

- take into account I haven't done any of this, it's just what i've seen in doing my research to convince the wife I could use an 89 carrera to take my oldest (4 year old) around if need be since I take her to school most days now.

Corrales911

If your Porsche is safe enough for you it's safe enough for your kids.

I'll take my chances in my car with my kids any day over some flimsy Honda sedan in an accident. Just don't drive 100 mph to day care.

(I pick up my 5 year old and 0.4 year old every day in my '84 Carrera).

Edward

Personally, I'd do it if in a pinch, but would feel much better when kids have a 3-pt belt. To me, the car nor that it is a convertable are not the issues; it is that lap belts don't offer the measure of safety I feel comfortable with. And yeah, my kids would ride in the back in a booster from age 4, up to age 8 currently. But I also keep the speeds down and turn on the headlights as well. I feel that they are secure, and they really love it which makes for appreciating a great car even better.

Edward

Capt. Carrera

My kids ride in the back of my '88 coupe. It has factory three-point belts in back. The five year old fits with out a booster. But the soon-to-be nine year old won't fit much longer. Her head touches the back glass.

jsabatini

See picture on left, son Cooper is 21 months and daughter Cameron will be 6 in September.

theiceman

I don't wade in on these types of discusions often, especially when I am also the guilty party but I just read a few posts that I could not resist . I will appologize now as I am sure to upset some people.

Those of you who say.. " but i am really carefull, have my lights on etc, " are so kidding yourself, it almost sounds like you are just trying to convince yourself everything will be okay. Anytime you put a child in a car without the proper safety measures you are taking a risk with your childs life or at least well being.
Now don't get me wrong I do this also. But I have come to grips with the fact I am doing this. I have a 78 which had NO rear seat belts. I added them in, I put in Porsche Lap belts. It will offer some very minor level of safety but I do understand they are not adequate and although are legal will not do much to help my nine year old in a car accident. He always goes in the front while there is just the 2 of us as it is far safer.
I always worry when he is in the back, and I know I am taking a risk.. no matter how carefully I drive , you never can predict where the next drunk will come from.
end of soapbox....

But on a related note. My son was born when I had a 944. Since he was about 2 he rode in the front with a car seat teathered to the rear tie down, and I used a special strap and used the REAR seat belts to wrap around the front seats to hold his car seat, that set up was like a freakin rocket capsule. He just loved that and he has been hooked on Porsches ever since. I graduated him to the booster in the front, and also had a booster for the rear. ( again not much protection ) After that he graduated to the 911 , he is 56" now and about 65lbs and fits great in the front and although the lap belt is useless in the back, at least it is a Targa so he has loads of headroom.


ice

g-50cab

Mine - 6 and 4 ride in the back of mine all the time. Just lap belts - I replaced the self retracting with regular ones - I'd prefer shoulder belts - but the lap belts are sufficient. One thing that I like about the 911 rear seats is that the kids sit in a bucket. Really though the 911 is safe - it is one of the stiffest cars - when I totalled my Targa the rear was crumpled badly - the passenger compartment was completetly intact.

We don't go long distances.

fpena944

What is considered to be "safe" today will inevitably be considered risky ten years from now.

When these cars were built they were considered extremely safe - how does that change today? Sure there are technological advances that certainly have helped to save lives but defensive driving is surely the best piece of safety equipment there is.

I believe any time you put your child in a vehicle you are taking a risk. An SUV that is considered "safe" could easily flip over in the event of an emergency manuever - whereas a P-car could remain stable.

You certainly have a valid point but I believe there is more to safety than the number of restraints placed on a child within the vehicle.

911 Rod

I need to support ICE's comments on "Hey I'm being safe"
Accidents happen. This is why they are called accidents.

But, all we can do is protect our children as much as we can.
I feel that you are better off without the booster seat in the back.
This brings there head to close to the side window which slants in and there isn't any neck support if their head is above the seat.
I have had my daughter in the back in a pinch but using the regular seat (I don't have shoulder straps)

I currently have my 9 year old (she's small for her age) in the front in a car/booster seat without the buckles that came with it. I feel the car shoulder belt keeps here in tight and the car seat has lateral protection.

Looking over she seems safer than me! (I can't get her to wear the helmet )

I don't think I will ever move to just a booster seat unless someone can convince me it's safer.

And yes I have had this argument with my x wife a couple of times.

I actually had a period of time she didn't want to go in the P-car because they told her at school she was safer in the back.

H2NO

I agree that a booster is probably unnecessary. As far as I know, the booster's main purpose is to raise the child so that the shoulder strap holds them at the right point on their little bodies (instead of across the neck). Since the 911 rear seat is not really designed for an adult, a child should sit high enough so that a booster is unnecessary.

I will buy the shoulder belt and plan on using it sparingly (ie., when I hit traffic and therefore have no time to go home and switch cars prior to picking them up). I don't think its necessary to joyride with the kids in back, except maybe jaunts around the neighborhood at low speed.