I've been considering going with an after market steering but always stopped my search once considering I would be loosing the factory airbag in the process. Form and function over safety? Not knocking anyone for doing it I was just wandering what were the thoughts of some of the guys that actually did it? My previous two cars had after market wheels but I was a few years younger then and didnt think about safety. Considering in the z once lowered a lot of times im eye level with other cars bumpers and suv's thats entire different story. The z holds its own in crash test but what is the rationale between safety and looks, wheres the balance? I'm just looking for a different way of thinking or someone elses thoughts on the topic. Thanks

 

I think its ultimately up to you. the pros and cons are literally as most straightforward as you can get, and you need to just decide if its worth it for you personally:

Pros: looks, feel, performance
Cons: no airbag

now you need to ask yourself... do ya feel lucky, punk? do ya?

 

^^LOL basing my luck on ny drivers is a scary thought

 

Im doing it.......but i dont daily my car and it will one day be a no registration, no licence plate, full roll caged, trailer queen to the track and back...

-J

 

As hard as drive my car i like the satisfaction of knowing the airbag can save lives.. I know first hand. Now if my Z was a 240sx or older model car with the older airbags then i would replace the steering wheel no problem. For a track car it's a no brainer!

 

I want one, but don't feel 100% comfortable giving up safety.

Having been in an accident where an airbag potentially saved my life
is a pretty big factor too.

 

I'm going with an aftermarket wheel. I'm just waiting on my hubs to get in. Taking forever. I've never been in an accident where the bag went off and frankly, I'm not looking forward to it potentially happening. Might be safer with it, but it's a sports car that I plan on driving and the bag is something I don't mind giving up. I'm partially getting a wheel so I can quick disconnect it to get in and out easier too. A lot of things you do to a car takes away from the practicality or safety. I'm assuming you lowered your car to go at the curves a little? That would be dangerous compared to taking it slow. I guess you have to find your happy medium for the amount of mods for your car.

 

I guess you can argue anyway. If you drive your car aggressively and lower it and all that, you can view the airbag as minimizing the damage you may potentially incur.

If you only track your car and have a second car, I'd do it, but I personally want airbags front, side, etc... in all my cars. My Z has sides airbags. I've seen way too many accidents when the person's head gets impaled in door's glass. Not very pretty.

 

thanks for all the replies guys. To eaches own i guess

 

In my books: safety first. I would love an aftermarket wheel but I don't want to have my face mangled and be looking for me teeth after an accident. I don't have a harness/roll bar and don't wear a helmet on the street so the stock wheel stays.

 

The answer is common sense.

 

+1 , same as my thoughts

 

I'm only doing it because my car wont be my daily driver in the future. I'm also getting aftermarket seats, harness, and a 4point roll bar.