Comet02

Sadly, it's a 2004 Toyota Sienna...

Yeah the stupid thing drives me crazy. So looking forward to the Z

I have the car my parents gave me, but it's a mini van which is essentially the lamest thing for car people ever. I can't stand the thing and it's slowly falling apart. So I'm just trying to get my own car I can learn and work on

I'd look into getting a different car, but the guy selling me this Z is pretty much giving me the deal of a lifetime because he's part of my boyfriend's family. He's had the car since the 80s, and it runs and drives. He's only asking the price he'd get from the buy-back program, and is giving me a year to pay him in full. Plus,if I don't get it he'll sell it to scrap. So not only do I love this car, but it's a killer deal, and I'm saving it from the recycle program. So it means a lot.

Thank you Chris. From what everybody is telling me I'll be sure to put in a cage and update the seatbelts a soon as possible. I think my parents think that airbags are the "end all be all" for car crash safety when in fact it seems that many other factors contribute vastly more.

Thank you guys this is super helpful! I'll post an update if these arguments were a success.

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

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!

That cracks me up! I'd be all over it if my dad had a cool classic car! Thank you for telling me I hope my parents come around and I can convince them that while it isn't the safest thing, it'll keep me alive.

Yes that makes sense. Has anyone ever tried to put airbags in a Z from 76?

Gwri8, would you ever consider letting your daughter drive a car like the one I'm getting? Keep in mind, I'm extremely mechanically inclined, know how to fix potential issues, have massive interest in the car, and have had the experience of driving other classic cars. In that situation, would you consider letting her?

Haha Mark, I understand all your points very well. This isn't a car that I would use and abuse, and after having driven other classic cars and having to drive my way out of sticky situations, I'd like to say I'm capable of not overestimating my abilities here. The car runs and drives, so that takes away a lot of initial costs, and it's a California car that hasn't really been left out in the weather- never the less, I am inspecting it for rust. Thank you for all your valid points, and I appreciate you taking your time to make sure I wasn't some silly kid who was going to break this beautiful car!

To add extra details, I've had my license for over a year and have driven multiple vehicles. Most specifically a 1972 Chevelle (also a high powered rear wheel drive car with loads of torque) so I am familiar with how unpredictable these cars can sometimes be, especially when water is added into the mix! So while I'm not worried about it being difficult to drive, I do want to have a good argument to convince my parents it's safe- which I might have a shot at if it's a 280 2+2, but a 240 is too tiny. So I would love to know if anyone has recommendations on how to make it safer, or if they've had experiences like siteunseen where the car was helpful in saving them. Thank you guys!

Hey fellow Z owners, I'm working on convincing my parents to let me buy a 1976 280Z 2+2, and understandably their main concern is that the car isn't safe. Being that the 2+2 is heavier and longer, I'm wondering if anyone knows crash test safety, or any good points to use to convince them? Thank you!

Wow you guys thanks so much! That's awesome news, I thought parts were going to be so hard to find. So glad I joined this forum and thank you again!