going to the poor house

[derbyD]

Hello, My name is Darryn and my son was given a 1973 240z sporting a 280z engine from his grandfather today. My son will be 16 shortly and is drooling looking at the car. The car has issues, but with some TLC and daddy's wallet it could be an "awesome" car. I have many questions and things to fix on the car, but before I waste anybody's time I will read threw the posted threads and may find my answers there. , as I am typing this my son just came in and told me while he was showing his friend the car, the hatchback strong arm just broke off and now the hatch won't stay open. 0ooooo I am going to the poor house I just know it.

[Brubaker]

This is a great time to teach responsibility which also means he has to earn money to pay for the cars repairs. You need to ween him off of your wallet and no time like the present. Heck, he just scored a free car. Even if he puts a couple thousand into it that is still dirt cheap. But as has been said 240Z's and 16 -20 year olds is not a great combination. The Z is not an accident friendly car, something a new driver should not be given.

[derbyD]

TY Brubaker! When my father in-law told me he was giving my son the car my Red Flags went up. I strongly expressed that a 240z is not a good car to learn to drive in... way too fast and tempting to speed. I have yet to check into it but I am rather sure they do not hold up well in a wreck, so safety is a concern. The fact that it has the 280z engine does not help matters. I want my son to earn a very basic car for day to day driving and the z is for "date-night" or special occasions. Problem is we do not have room for him to have 2 cars.

[Jeff G 78]

My first car was a Z and I'm still here alive and well. Z's are fun cars, but they aren't particularly quick, so they really aren't bad starter cars. If he learns to do everything himself, he will have a better appreciation for what it takes to own a car and make it nice. Make him pay his own insurance. That too will make him understand the importance of safe driving. One mistake and his rates will likely park his Z.

[Bonzi Lon]

I'll bet dollars to doughnut holes that the spot welds on the bracket to body did not hold. Did the welds come undone?

Is that funny shaped bracket flopping on the end of the shock absorber? It can be welded back without damage to the outer body.

My 73 wasn't my first car, it was my college car. I imagine your son would like to hear some stories.

Bonzi Lon

[240260280z]

I read about a mechanic who hid foam in the air filter enclosure to "de-rate" the motor.

After his son drove for half a year, his father took the car and "tuned" the car by removing the hidden foam and giving it an extra 50hp.His son was amazed at his father's abilities.

[Travel'n Man]

How many of us had a crash our first year with our new drivers license?

I think most first year drivers do have accidents - the Z does not have many safety features and I personally think this is an error - lets get the most unsafe car in the family and give it to the newest driver - not a good idea IMO - now if this was going to be your car (primary driver) that is a different story. Best of luck!

[26th-Z]

I think an old Z is an excellent car for a beginner. It is hardly 'fast' by today's standards, easy to work on, and still (forty years) sporty enough to satisfy the male ego. He'll learn how to use a clutch and shift which is becomming a dying art. He'll learn how to work on cars - it doesn't get much more basic than a Z. He'll also learn how easily the Z bodywork folds up giving him the proper lesson to not hit anything! If you're a really smart parent, you'll send the good natured lad off to driving school where he will learn how to drive properly, thus avoiding the safety of the car concern.

[cozye]

The Z may not be the safest thing on the road out there for sure, but it sure does crack me up when people say it's too fast! It's not a fast car, at all.. Most years of the Honda Civic have faster 0-60 and 1/4 mile times..http://www.zeroto60times.com/Honda-Vtech-0-60-mph-Times.html

Obviously we are talking stock here, you an put a turbo or a supercharger on anything and make it reasonably quick.

[derbyD]

I owe Bonzi some doughnuts as you are correct. The two tack welds broke on the bracket. Looks to be a simple fix but it did rip the interior lining a bit. No don't tell him any Z college stories, he already has too many bad ideas.

[derbyD]

Thats funny Blue

[5thhorsemann]

It's all about attitude, and the Z has plenty. If your son is anything like I was at that age you need to tear that car apart and do a father-son 4 year restoration project. Let him cut his teeth on another car and get the hormone level down a little before you turn him loose on the rest of us in the Z (which has more than enough speed and power to get him hurt or killed).