Safety?

[charliekwin]

If safety is a showstopper for them, you may just be out of luck.  Vehicle safety standards for any relatively recent car are miles ahead of where they were in the 70s.  Not just airbags, but also SRS, ABS, traction control, crumple zones and body reinforcements, as well as increased vehicle size and weight (both in terms of protection around you, and in terms of what you're likely to hit).

 

There doesn't seem to be much on crash tests for the Z specifically, but go ahead and search YouTube for crash tests from the 70s.  Yeah, they're heads and shoulders above what the rolling death traps of the 50s and 60s were like, but still nothing I'd like to take my chances in.  Here, for example, is how a 1979 Firebird fared at 35mph: 

 

There are a lot of good reasons to like these cars, but safety isn't one of them!

Edited November 18, 2015 by charliekwin

[Patcon]

Z's are not as safe as newer cars but much of whether you are at real risk is more about where you drive and how fast you drive. Are you in a rural area or a large city? Do you do a lot of high speed driving or mainly neighbor hood driving? I rebuild salvage cars and have seen many many modern cars that were fatal wrecks and dead is dead. The biggest factors in fatal wrecks is speed and whether you get hit from the side or not. The 2+2 car may have the reinforced doors, I don't know when they started that and it may have the newer door locks which were all done for safety as well as the larger bumpers. In the end I would put any of my kids in a classic Datsun. My 15 year old son just bought his first car a 72 510 wagon. We don't live in a hugely urban area and it is sort of like riding a motorcycle you have to drive very defensively.

[z707]

My first car was a heavily modified 240z.  Can't speak to the safely of it, but man it was a blast!

 

Of course the truth is that they aren't very safe compared to any modern car, but I justify the risk by telling myself that it's a whole lot safer than a motorcycle - and it scratches the same itch for me at least.

[siteunseen]

My first car was a heavily modified 240z.  Can't speak to the safely of it, but man it was a blast!

 

Of course the truth is that they aren't very safe compared to any modern car, but I justify the risk by telling myself that it's a whole lot safer than a motorcycle - and it scratches the same itch for me at least.

We may be long lost brothers!  Motorcycles have ruined any hopes of growing old without being in pain.  It gets worse every year.  But boy were they fun! 

[psdenno]

I'd like to say I'm capable of not overestimating my abilities here. 

 

You and every other kid your age....and that's why insurance rates for your demographic are higher than they will be when you're 25.  Lots of good advice offered, so far.  The Z you're looking at is not unsafe.  As others have pointed out, it's just not 2015 safe.  You can be the most careful driver in the universe and the least careful driver will find you.  A terrible accident does not have to be your fault, but you would still be part of it.

 

Now, sliding my parental soap box back under the desk, get the car.  Have fun with it.  My kid enjoys driving mine even though his first car was a new Scion with all the safety devices that could be packed into it.  Just remember that if you are in a severe collision in a 40 year old Z, you are likely to be hurt more than if you were in a newer car.

Dennis

[dmorales-bello]

Hi Comet,

I had a new 1977 280Z which I drove for 5 years. I had a head-on collision at about 35 MPH while trying to avoid a lady in a station wagon (you will need to Google this term) that cut in front of me at an intersection in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. My Z took the impact well and only sheet metal needed replacement (front valance, left fender, hood) but the Lincoln Continental I met accidentally was not able to roll. The Z is a tough little vehicle but definitely has limitations due to size and lack of all modern injury prevention features. I have a 13 year old son who is "helping"  me in my "78 restomod with the understanding the car will be available for him to drive occasionally but his daily driver will be a used Honda Accord. 

Buy/fix/enjoy your Z but use something else as a daily driver. You will be preserving a classic and protecting your well being.

[djwarner]

Take a look at a BRZ or FRS a couple of years old. Modern car of similar size and performance.

A Z was on my bucket list for more than 40 years. Waiting a few years is not the worst thing that could happen to you.

As for experience, pilots take tests you wouldn't believe, both practically demonstrating they can fly the airplane to its limits, and a three hour oral exam that the only passing grade is 100%. Yet the odds of a first year pilot being involved in an accident is several times higher than a more experienced pilot.

Not putting your driving capability down, just pointing out some facts of life. This from a guy who's daughters first vehicle was a 150cc motorcycle.

[Comet02]

Thank you guys so much for all the great replies!! It means a lot that everyone is willing to take time out of their day's to help me with this. I do have to drive on freeways a fair bit, but there's also the option of taking the coast most places I need to go. It's slower, but for a car like this I'd take that route. I think the 76 280 does have reinforced doors, and you all have given me great points to bring up to the parents. All in all, I seriously appreciate it!

[S30Driver]

Hey Comet

Very best of luck to convince your parents.

 

All great advice has already been given, so I will just add ..... don't let any of your boyfriends, current or future drive your Z car .... for at least 15 years.

[Comet02]

Oh trust me...no one but me drives my car. He can stick to his own!!

[240260280z]

Get one in 112 paint code (neon yellow/green)   The eye is most sensitive to this colour.

 

A 280z 2+2 has more metal as mentioned above and huge bumpers.

 

A 280z 2+2 has a huge brake booster.

 

Get the best wet weather tires.

 

Upgrade lighting to make all brighter.

 

Install very bright centre brake light.

 

Install new seat belts.

 

Get new pads, rotors, shoes, drums, master and booster.

 

Drive with the seat as far back as possible.

 

Install a high ratio differential to give you more snap at low speed to get out of trouble and reduce stalling.

 

 

Also consider a 280zx 2+2.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Blue

[Namerow]

Crash test results for the Z.  One by Nissan, pre-production.  The other by U.S. government testers.  Both, I believe, at 30 mph.

 

 

 

In my opinion, the most important thing you should attend to is the condition of the car's seat belts and their mounting points.  Forty-year-old seat belts are not a good idea.  First, the material characteristics can change over time (exposure to sunlight UV rays and air pollution).  Second, the webbing may have become damaged (frayed edges, mini-nicks, etc.).  It will be very difficult to find 'new-old-stock' Nissan belts.  Most Z owners look to either  Wesco Performance or Motor Sports Auto (MSA) for new, replacement belts.  These have the additional advantage of providing brand-new retractor mechanisms (unlike the forty-year-old items in most Z's, which are likely not too happy about retracting smoothly).  New seat belts are inexpensive insurance against being thrown out of the vehicle or going through the windshield in a crash.  They're also important in that they let you and your body 'ride down the impact' by absorbing your forward energy as they stretch under load.  You may come out of a crash with some black-and-blue marks, but that's better than the alternative.

 

Of course, new belts aren't much good if any of the mounting points have deteriorated.  Unfortunately, that's a problem area with a lot of Z's, since the lower outboard mounting points for the belts is situated in a chronic rust area (that's also difficult to repair properly).  Have this inspected by somebody competent.