First, I read the threads here.. Then I tried a few baby seats at the local USA Baby - close, but... Then I called my F-dealer (choke - $2,700 for a baby seat - someone at FNA needs an unceremonious kick to the groin) Then I got smart. I did some research.. There are three "Ferrari" baby seats.. 80358300 "Baby safe" 80358400 "Duo Plus" 80358500 "Kid Plus" There is only one company that makes a "Baby Safe", "Duo Plus" and "Kid Plus". Britax - or more specifically - the Euro company Britax-Roemer. These 3 seats are not normally sold in the USA, as they are Euro standard seats. So, if you need one, get a friend to simply buy one for you in Europe, and ship it over. Or maybe one of our enterprising parts dealers (Daniel?) might want to bring a few over. Anyway, I settled on a Britax Duo-Plus Isofix in the "Olivia" color (red/dark grey) which fits the Spider's passenger seat like a glove. Which leads to this... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139831672&postcount=1
Did you buy your car new from the dealer? I did and found in the manual where it stated that Ferrari would provide a child seat for free. I got one (the largest one) and it is pretty cool. Ferrari red and black, with a logo embroidered in the back of the seat. Has a built in gadget that the car senses and disables the air bag automatically. Except for the manual, which was for a Mercedes, the whole package was very professional. Good luck. Mike
No, I was the second owner and FNA wanted to extract $2700 from me for what is in fact a Britax Duo Plus - possibly with a custom (Ferrari) cover on it. I have no qualms paying ridiculous prices for parts for the car/etc. But when it comes to a safety item (child seat) Ferrari should extend the offer to ANY owner, assuming one has not already been provided by them for that chassis #. (Which it hasn't) No mind though - I found it direct from the OEM with a little hassle. Oh, and I guess I should say, that should you wish an intermediate-priced but easier buy, that Mercedes uses the same seats - also w/ a custom cover. Jim PS: The airbag on my F430 is disabled by a key switch in the end of the passenger dash. The Mercedes seat also has something that "automagically" turns off the pass. SRS, but I don't think the F430 has the needed circuitry to do that PPS: Apparently the F430 (after AssyNr 69895) is also equipped with a CPOD sensor to do just that - I wonder what it "detects"?
There is a magnet or something in the seat (no battery is required) that triggers the airbag to turn off. I use the key to turn it off anyway, just to be safe. My grandkids love the car. Good luck. Mike
Recaro makes some great baby and toddler seats... it was hard tp go back to a plastic based seat after seeing these... http://www.recarochildseat.com/home.jsp My kids have been in the recaro boosters going down the corkscrew at Laguna Seca... they are great!
Can YOU fit a Recaro Signo in an F430 spider? (Zach needs a child seat still, not a booster) I know I couldn't. That's what started "the search" in that the existing seat we had was "no bueno" for the Ferrari. We have one for Lisa's SUV. Fits fine in a Toyota Highlander. When installed in the F430, Zach's little head would have been ABOVE the windshield enough that the top couldn't be up for a ride. LOL PS: The base of the Signo G2 is indeed "plastic". Fancy, expensive plastic - but still plastic.
I was a little disappointed to read in the 360 owners manual that there isn't a way to turn off the passenger side airbag But just before that it shows how to install a child seat in the car Maybe that is only for cars bound for Canada? Has anyone figured all this out for the 360?
