Delica - Safe enough for baby?

[paddyb]

I'd like to get an L300 here in Taiwan next year and I'm wondering if it's safe enough to use a baby/toddler. I'm not so concerned about the handling and lack of ABS (I'm familar with trucks) as the fact that being a 1980's design it may not be safe enough in a crash to be a conscienable family car. Also, it seems like there are no seatbelts in back on a stock model (unless they are hiding in all the pictures I've seen). If this is a case, would aftermarket seatbelts be adequate to use with a carseat? And can shoulder-harness seatbelts be installed with any sort of effectiveness?

Would you say that the L400 is substantially safer? If so, we might be willing to pony up the extra 3 or 4 grand and go with a Space Gear.

Other than this issue, the L300 seems perfect for allowing us to explore any road on this mountainous island, and take some friends along for the ride. It's cheap (under 10,000 US for a 2000-2005 petrol model), roomy, reasonably fuel efficient and very capable.

[drrod]

Paddy,
You might take a look at this thread.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/child-seat-a ... -7850.html

I have no issues with babies/toddlers in the L300. Not much different than any other vehicle really. Having said that, I am assuming, given your concern over your child's safety, that you have taken at least one (if not several) high performance driving schools which include high speed track time where you learn emergency braking, steering, etc. If you haven't done that, then perhaps you should consider it. Way more important to not get hit compared to thinking about what you are getting hit in. IMHO

[kpdelica]

Yes, I'm sure Paddy the new mother is pulling e-brakes and doing doughnuts in between sing along class and finger painting.

[drrod]

Maybe not e-brake turns but hopefully more than pitiful requirements here for a license. I do apologize for my remarks, if in fact Taiwan has any kind of reasonable requirements for licensing (as compared to here). I find it somewhat disconcerting that a lot of people (not all), when considering vehicle safety, think only of the passive kind, when in fact active safety will, in all likelihood, be much more effective.
Rod

[paddyb]

Yes, I'm sure Paddy the new mother...

*ahem* New father.

Anyway, looking at the pictures in that other thread, it looks like a lot of jerry-rigging (no offense to those handy folks who did the mods) is involved and I'm not comfortable doing that myself.

I'll ask some local owners and mechanics if there is someone who is capable of installing seatbelts in an L300. Perhaps there are even aftermarket products available here as there are a lot of Delicas on the road in Taiwan. I know it's possible as there is an '01 L300 for sale that clearly shows a full set of seatbelts in the picture.

Either way, the L400 is looking more attractive now as it comes stock with shoulder-harness seatbelts in the back row.

[thedjjack]

my 1989 has lap belts factory in the back.

[fishslapper]

late 1991 and newer will have shoulder belts for captain chair seats. other than that it took me 5 minutes to pt car seat tethers my van.

cheers