Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this vehicle

I have access to a 1985 1st Gen GSL-SE with 166,000 kilometers. Its the baby bluish color with grey cloth interior. Did GSL-SE come with cloth seats? I haven't seen under the hood but he says its a GSL-SE.

It has factory A/C and the aluminum wheels. Body is in good condition other than a few minor rust spots but nothing major and the wheel wells/underneath is free of rust. Has the full sized sunroof as well. It is running but wont idle properly he says.

Hes asking $1200 CAD but told me I can get it for $1000 CAD since he would rather it go to a good home.

Thoughts and opinions? This will be my first GSL-SE. I have had 3 x 12A 1st gens before.

 

Yes it is.

 

Have you seen the car in person to check out the rust? I think that's most important.

$1000 doesn't sound bad at all if it is as described.

 

I am going to be looking at it in the next week or two but I have some pictures of the rust spots and they aren't bad by any means.

 

This is not a good deal.

It's an excellent deal.

 

Duly noted. The last time I bought a first gen was over 10 years ago. Wasn't quite sure on the pricing anymore

 

Front end accident, or just a funky paint job? Regardless, you need to pull the rear bins and inspect the usual rust spots. A little means there's more, you just haven't found it, yet. Save those seats!

 

I'm fully repaired to do a full resto on it regardless the amount of rust. I just wanted to get a general idea of what I'm up against :p As for the different paint, he had said that those panels were from a parts car he had bought and replaced those pieces because they were in bad condition. There might have been a little fender bender but I'll know more when I check it out. From all the pictures he has sent me it seems like it's in good condition. I'm honestly stoked to finally have a 5 letter.

 

Considering I paid $1700 for a rusted out parts GSL-SE from Quebec last fall, I'm jealous of how good this deal is.

 

I think the asking price is more than fair. Everything points to a GSL-SE. It has the correct SE wheels, seats, and door panels. Someone could have swapped those parts over to a GSL but it's not likely. It appears to be a great candidate for a restoration. Cant wait to see more pictures of the car!

 

Agreed, even if it's been in a crash, the price puts you well ahead on getting it where you want it. Also, as the guys have stated, from the outside it appears to be a GSL-SE. Open the hood for final confirmation,

 

Thanks guys! Will post a slew of pictures once I go look at it to pick it up!

 

in the USA, the GSL-SE came with everything, and the only options were Leather and Power Steering.

in Canada, you guys got the headlight washers, but AC was an option.

those are the correct GSL-SE seats.

the cowl panel on that car is the 79-83 style, its only got one washer jet instead of two, and fewer vents

and oh yes its a good deal

 

Where in Canada is the car? If you decide not to buy it there might be quite a race to purchase it. Good Luck, going to be (already is) a beautiful car.

 

Thanks clubfit!

Its not listed on any sites for sale, the guy messaged me because I made a post looking for a First Gen. Its in the interior of BC. I'm buying it just pending looking at/for any rust on it. I don't want to end up with a project bigger than my bodyman skills can accommodate. If the rust is minor ill definitely take the project on.

I want to do a full interior removal and repaint of the car to the factory color. I will most likely be keeping it stock except for rims/suspension and exhaust. Rebuilding the motor if needed as it runs but wont idle properly (Possibly 5th/6th port issue). Also my wooden Nardi wheel is going in there

 

Do a compression test on engine before you do much else to car. If it has done a lot of sitting it could have a mucked up fuel system.

 

The car currently runs, just doesn't idle right. I'll be doing a compression test before teardown anyways. Its only been sitting for a couple months but it's been started regularly. Battery is still good as well.

I know from my past experiences with my FB before how the fuel systems and clogged filters can really effect the drivability on these XD. I unfortunately had to deal with 2 seperate rusty tanks on 2 of my first gens prior

What else should I be looking for on these 5 letters forme? I know from other threads that you are the go to GSL-SE guy on these forums

 

I am 99% sure AC was actually standard on the SEs in Canada, although it was an option on the GSLs. Good spotting on the cowl panel.

 

Hey question, im going to be picking this car up next weekend. Can i tow it in neutral with the rear wheels on the ground? or do I need to load it onto a trailer?

 

Have you driven the car at all,do you know how old the gas in the car is?
Possible to post a video with good audio here so we can hear the engine and you can point out the idle issues?
There are several things that can cause funky idle issues on SEs.
Reason for suggesting a compression test is to rule out mechanical flaw in engine.
Compared to its little brother the 12A engine,the 13B SE engine is pretty stout and capable of 250k+ miles before needing a rebuild so what you have may not need to be rebuilt.
Vacuum leaks,worn out cap,rotor,plugs,wires, weak igniter,all can contribute to driveability and performance issues.

 

I have not driven the car yet as there is quite a bit of snow on the ground at the moment. Weather wont let up unfortunately.

The gas is only 4 months old as he was daily driving it until the idle issue, which he then took it off the road to drive his winter vehicle. I'm not assuming it needs a rebuild, if I can get it running properly I will drive it until it does need a rebuild. I hadn't heard of the great reliability of the 13B SE motor until you mentioned it to me which is good to know

Once I get it home i will get it running and post a video. If its been sitting a while is there anything I should do to make sure no damage is cause from lack of oil? Squirting oil in the plug holes or something of that nature?

Thanks for the information Forme

 

You can tow the car with the rear wheels on the ground. Just make sure the trans is in neutral. If it hasn't run in just four months I wouldn't worry about squirting oil in the plug holes. Should be just fine.

 

Do I need to disconnect the drive shaft at all? It's a 4 hour drive home with it

 

No need to disconnect the Drive Shaft; doing so will expose the tail shaft and the oil seal there will leak out your transmission fluid, especially if you're lifting the front of the car onto a tow dolly. Best bet is to flat bed, next is tow dolly with the transmission in neutral, and last resort is tow-strapping with all 4 wheels down and a skilled driver at both ends.

The transmission is lubricated through rotation, and the wheels will provide that just as well as the engine driving from the front end, if that's what you're concerned about.

 

Keeping the transmission/diff lubricated was my main concern. The rental company that has the tow dolly says that your supposed to disconnect the drive shaft, but anytime I have seen a tow truck tow a car they just tow it in neutral. I guess mixed opinions

I will just get the tow dolly and it shouldnt be a big deal then. Thanks for the information. Its a 4 hour drive 1 way with the car so I just wanted to be sure its going to be fine.