If you had to choose would it be a 85 or 82 gsl?
. Ide say go w/ the 82, that's what I did
10-25-11, 08:07 PM
#5
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Both will be carb unless the 85 is a GSL-SE. I like the early interior better. 85 rear end will be much better, and there were a few different color options. Pick whichever one drives/looks better, not enough difference worth noting unless the 85 is the GSL-SE w/13B...
10-25-11, 08:21 PM
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If the condition of both were the same, I'd take the '85 for the rear end, front suspension, and lighter rotors. I do like the S2 interior better (with the '83 dash), but it's not a big deal to me. Only real disadvantage of the S3 is the beehive oil cooler, but that's easily dealt with.
But honestly there's not a huge difference, so just pick the one that's in better shape. None of what I mentioned above matters if you plan on leaving it stock. And if you don't, a GSL-SE would be a better base to build from anyway.
But honestly there's not a huge difference, so just pick the one that's in better shape. None of what I mentioned above matters if you plan on leaving it stock. And if you don't, a GSL-SE would be a better base to build from anyway.
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10-25-11, 08:51 PM
#8
Old [Sch|F]ool
I'd take the '82. Better rear suspension geometry, lighter/stronger rearend (the series 3 rearend sucks!), and I have a very strong feeling that the Series 2 shell itself is lighter than Series 3.
Plus the S2 interior is loads better than S3, by my taste. The S3 marked the RX-7's decline into luxobargedom, it feels like a 280ZX in there (in a bad way).
Note: I have had two S3 GSLs and one S1. The S1 is still, by far, my favorite RX-7. The S2 is just an S1 with a crappy shifter position and amber gauges instead of green, as well as a catalyst emissions system instead of the thermal reactor.
Plus the S2 interior is loads better than S3, by my taste. The S3 marked the RX-7's decline into luxobargedom, it feels like a 280ZX in there (in a bad way).
Note: I have had two S3 GSLs and one S1. The S1 is still, by far, my favorite RX-7. The S2 is just an S1 with a crappy shifter position and amber gauges instead of green, as well as a catalyst emissions system instead of the thermal reactor.
10-25-11, 08:53 PM
#9
10-25-11, 09:48 PM
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Assuming both are 12A cars, and in about the same physical condition & price, I'd go for the 82.
Not only does it have lower miles, but it came with a real oil cooler. The 83-85 12A's "beehive" oil heater will cook the seals, causing massive oil leaks.
On the other hand, if the 85 is actually a GSL-SE, that would be a great find. And the one to go with.
Not only does it have lower miles, but it came with a real oil cooler. The 83-85 12A's "beehive" oil heater will cook the seals, causing massive oil leaks.
On the other hand, if the 85 is actually a GSL-SE, that would be a great find. And the one to go with.
10-25-11, 10:02 PM
#11
I'm partial to my '85... I like the interior more. And it's not *quite* as old. But when given the choice, the mileage would probably do it for me. An FB with 100k real miles on it is hard to find these days. I'd have to see and drive both cars in person to really choose though.
10-26-11, 12:52 AM
#13
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i've had both, and i think all things being equal i like the 82 dash better.
10-26-11, 10:05 AM
#15
I am really surprised at how many people prefer the S2 dash over the S3 Interior.
The S2 Gauges are front-lit, and has a fuzzy orange glow at night,
and the gauges are kinda hard to read.
The S3 Gauges are back-lit only, and gives it a much more modern appearance.
Even the FC's (S4) went to both back-lit and front-lit., and don't
appear as nice as the S3.
To me; the S3, with an all original dash/radio/AC controls at night looks like a fighter cockpit. I love that the dashes don't crack,
and even appreciate the faux stitching on them.
Plus on the GSL models, the S3 driver seats have more adjustments and better materials.
I can appreciate both, but in order, my preference would be:
The S2 Gauges are front-lit, and has a fuzzy orange glow at night,
and the gauges are kinda hard to read.
The S3 Gauges are back-lit only, and gives it a much more modern appearance.
Even the FC's (S4) went to both back-lit and front-lit., and don't
appear as nice as the S3.
To me; the S3, with an all original dash/radio/AC controls at night looks like a fighter cockpit. I love that the dashes don't crack,
and even appreciate the faux stitching on them.
Plus on the GSL models, the S3 driver seats have more adjustments and better materials.
I can appreciate both, but in order, my preference would be:
- S3 Grey Interior
- S2 Tan Interior
- S3 Brown Interior
- S2 Black Interior
- S3 Burgandy Interior
- S2 Burgandy Interior
Last edited by Directfreak; 10-26-11 at 10:07 AM.
10-26-11, 10:57 AM
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you have good points. the 84-85 gauges are better lit, and the interior DOES look great at night.
however in the daytime the 79-83 looks like a sports car!
go sit in an alfa, or fiat, or other classic sports car. the early Rx7 dash has the right vibe
however in the daytime the 79-83 looks like a sports car!
go sit in an alfa, or fiat, or other classic sports car. the early Rx7 dash has the right vibe
10-26-11, 02:17 PM
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Anyone that thinks S3 dashes don't crack, is welcome to take a look at the dash in my 84 SE. It was so badly cracked, the previous owner bought a replacement dash from a car being parted out, but never got around to installing it.
The cover is not only cracked, but was actually peeling up. I ripped most of that off just prior to running the rallycross nationals, since I wanted it out of the way. I swapped out the seat for a very low mounted race seat, my co-driver is well over 6ft tall, and even I couldn't fit inside the car with a helmet on without cocking my head off to the side.
No, I haven't gotten around to swapping the dash either........
The cover is not only cracked, but was actually peeling up. I ripped most of that off just prior to running the rallycross nationals, since I wanted it out of the way. I swapped out the seat for a very low mounted race seat, my co-driver is well over 6ft tall, and even I couldn't fit inside the car with a helmet on without cocking my head off to the side.
No, I haven't gotten around to swapping the dash either........
10-26-11, 06:12 PM
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Pretty sure it's just sun damage. The car has been in the south all it's life, the lack of rust is pretty much enough to prove that, along with the lack of remaining paint......
10-26-11, 06:49 PM
#23
I totally agree with Directfreak, the 84/85 GSL's are way better. He' got the color wrong though, red is way nicer than gray for the interior finish.
But seriously, with the newer models you've got that classic dash layout and state of the art Clarion sound system. You had to be alive back in 1984 to appreciate how much that sound meant before computers and the internet.
Here's what I'm talking about
And on top of that you've got the performance upgrades mentioned earlier AND there are way more parts available.
But seriously, with the newer models you've got that classic dash layout and state of the art Clarion sound system. You had to be alive back in 1984 to appreciate how much that sound meant before computers and the internet.
Here's what I'm talking about
And on top of that you've got the performance upgrades mentioned earlier AND there are way more parts available.
10-26-11, 08:54 PM
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