Is the Z accident prone?

[malaphasis]

Yes - I crashed my 1990 300zx Twin Turbo when i was 19. Didnt even have it 6 months and had to pay the rest of the 9k off to nothing.

 

[Zplz]

General rules of thumbs I follow dealing with traffic in a low car: Make yourself known and seen at all times. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver. Don't be over confident. Obviously if you're stationary and have nowhere to go you're a sitting duck. But other than that you have control. I wish I could avoid rocks and pebbles though.

I knew pretty much early on I wanted a red Z but favor the blue, the yellow, and love the new green. Ultimately, I definitely wanted a very bright, noticeable color. I had a gray car not long ago I really liked but it tended to blend into predominant road colors. At least with the bright red, the road warriors shouldn’t be able to claim they didn’t see me.

 

[takemorepills]

It's not the Z. It's other people. Smartphones, relaxation of traffic enforcement (including no insurance, not fun to deal with being hit by these people) and immigrants from countries with no driving culture. I drive a very big truck, people will change lanes right into me despite my truck being right next to them and as big as a mountain.

My wife drives the Corolla and I used to have a mk7 GTI. They're every bit as small as the Z, (maybe the bright color helps) the biggest difference is I feel safer in my truck. I've been hit a few times in my truck and usually no damage. The Corolla has needed two visits to the body shop since we got it from relatively minor stuff that would've been no big deal in the truck.

Well crap, someone sideswiped my wife's Corolla yesterday, took paint and creased the sheet metal. Hit and run.

I hate people. I kinda don't like having a newer, nice car.

That's kinda why I was thinking about a salvage title Z a while back.... I'd be pissed if I had a minty Z and some idiot damages it

 

[Thefunk]

I knew pretty much early on I wanted a red Z but favor the blue, the yellow, and love the new green. Ultimately, I definitely wanted a very bright, noticeable color. I had a gray car not long ago I really liked but it tended to blend into predominant road colors. At least with the bright red, the road warriors shouldn’t be able to claim they didn’t see me.

Bright color helps, but remember a LOT of people don't check their mirrors so what good is a bright colored car.

 

[Zplz]

Bright color helps, but remember a LOT of people don't check their mirrors so what good is a bright colored car.

For the times they’re actually aware and watching traffic, between phone texting, searching for something in their glove box, and other stupid stuff they deem more important than controlling a speeding, multi-hundreds of pounds vehicle. Call me an optimist.

 

[Zplz]

Well crap, someone sideswiped my wife's Corolla yesterday, took paint and creased the sheet metal. Hit and run.

I hate people. I kinda don't like having a newer, nice car.

That's kinda why I was thinking about a salvage title Z a while back.... I'd be pissed if I had a minty Z and some idiot damages it

Ouch. Civility and responsibility in today’s society is to be scorned and ignored, apparently.

 

[trackratZ]

I knew pretty much early on I wanted a red Z but favor the blue, the yellow, and love the new green. Ultimately, I definitely wanted a very bright, noticeable color. I had a gray car not long ago I really liked but it tended to blend into predominant road colors. At least with the bright red, the road warriors shouldn’t be able to claim they didn’t see me.

Oh yeah the red is very visible! Just did an 850 mile trip, my first bright red car and the other thing noticed is that YOU are more aware of the car, stands out, CHP is watching with radar pointed. Seems like I watch my speed more, like a sore thumb, and no unnecessary weaving thru traffic, LOL

 

[donberg]

All you can do as what everyone stated above & add louder horns!

 

[dogunbound]

I've been rear ended 5 times in the 2 years of ownership, so I'd say that it's likely to get into accidents.

 

[bpeckham]

I've been rear ended 5 times in the 2 years of ownership, so I'd say that it's likely to get into accidents.

That the worst kind of accident, in my opinion. There is zero excuse for the driver of a car to rear end you. You're front and center. How can any competent driver miss that? Or more importantly, the Z is small, so that driver should see not only you but what's going on in front of you.

I wouldn't say this is the Z's fault. It's small, but it should still be easily visible out the front window of the car behind.

I have to think that it's the idiot driver behind you who's (a) incompetent, (b) tailgating and doesn't understand physics and biology, (c) distracted.

 

[dogunbound]

That the worst kind of accident, in my opinion. There is zero excuse for the driver of a car to rear end you. You're front and center. How can any competent driver miss that? Or more importantly, the Z is small, so that driver should see not only you but what's going on in front of you.

I wouldn't say this is the Z's fault. It's small, but it should still be easily visible out the front window of the car behind.

I have to think that it's the idiot driver behind you who's (a) incompetent, (b) tailgating and doesn't understand physics and biology, (c) distracted.

Yeah. I've stopped giving a fuck about the looks of the car due to this. If you ever see a silver Z with it's rear bumper hanging off, that'll be me.

 

[Apex_Z]

As others have said, any low sleek car is not as easy to see as a "regular" vehicle. You gotta be extra thoughtful about where you park, at intersections, etc

 

[Hernandooo]

Our cars are not that small. You go side by side with a BRZ, Miata, or S2000. Those are small

 

[Zplz]

I've been rear ended 5 times in the 2 years of ownership, so I'd say that it's likely to get into accidents.

Sorry to hear that. Houston is DEFINITELY a high risk area for being rear ended in virtually any car.

Per an AI search.

"Houston is considered the highest risk city for being rear-ended in Texas, with a significant number of total crashes reported annually."

But, for that matter, Houston is usually considered the Texas city with the worst drivers, in general.

https://akfirm.com/texas-cities-worst-drivers/

It's only gotten worse, over the years. It's so bad now, I try to avoid driving anywhere within the I-610 loop, and am not thrilled to be driving anywhere within the outer beltway 8 loop. If I absolutely have to drive within those areas, especially on the freeways, I use my other car, rather than the Z. It's so crazy out there, I just don't want to risk the Z.

 

[Zplz]

Our cars are not that small. You go side by side with a BRZ, Miata, or S2000. Those are small

Yes, the Z doesn't feel all that small to me. I've owned a BRZ, a "Fiata," the Fiat version of the Miata, and an original Miata. Those things always felt very small to me. Especially when I was on the freeway, surrounded by big rig trucks.