Just bought a 85 GSL SE!
10-15-11, 01:21 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just bought a 85 GSL SE!
Hello ! I just bought myself a Silver (maroon interior) 85 GSL SE as of yesterday for 2k. It's got 60k on the original motor (and i am the second owner)! the body is straight and the interior is pretty well put together. Only issue is that driver seat is ripped, the button for the driver side window is sunken in and the gas gauge doesn't work. No big deal. I've never really been into 1st gens as i am a 2nd gen owner for nearly 5 years now. So i'm definitely not new to the rotary game, just new to first gens!
Anywho! Just here to introduce myself with all you 1st gen people! Im glad to be experiencing a whole new experience with this car! If anyone has any tips or anything please feel free! Here is a walk around video of my newly acquired 1st gen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EeQdTGXQgM
Enjoy!
Anywho! Just here to introduce myself with all you 1st gen people! Im glad to be experiencing a whole new experience with this car! If anyone has any tips or anything please feel free! Here is a walk around video of my newly acquired 1st gen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EeQdTGXQgM
Enjoy!
10-15-11, 01:30 PM
#2
beautiful SE! as far as the fuel gauge not working, the fuel level sender is a common failure point on the FB's. you will have to pull the tank in order to replace it. easy fix though and i have a detailed writeup with pics explaining how to drop the tank. the window switch can be easially replaced so no worries there. the color on your SE is called sunbeam silver metallic. very nice color choice 
if you hate those louvers, send them my way 
the SE's 13B is the most reliable rotary that mazda has ever produced. if properly maintained the engine can last over 200K miles. there are members here on the club that have gone over 300k on the original engine WITHOUT a rebuild. i wold however, steer against any emission removal. people attempt this and they find the engine does not run or will not run properly. a stock SE is a beautiful car that needs nothing imo.
if you hate those louvers, send them my way the SE's 13B is the most reliable rotary that mazda has ever produced. if properly maintained the engine can last over 200K miles. there are members here on the club that have gone over 300k on the original engine WITHOUT a rebuild. i wold however, steer against any emission removal. people attempt this and they find the engine does not run or will not run properly. a stock SE is a beautiful car that needs nothing imo.
10-15-11, 01:36 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I do not plan on changing anything. This car is going to be my daily driver. It will stay completely stock. I plan on giving it a paint job (same color just a refresher) and redoing the seats though. I also would like to have a up to date head unit in there as well. The AC needs a charge but thats not a big deal since winter is coming up.
THE LOUVERS DRIVE ME CRAZY! lol. I'm debating on taking them off but the car needs to be re tinted. All in all though, im real excited about this car.
THE LOUVERS DRIVE ME CRAZY! lol. I'm debating on taking them off but the car needs to be re tinted. All in all though, im real excited about this car.
10-15-11, 04:42 PM
#4
Hey bloodlust, nice find. Dunno if you remember me but I've go the lone (running) FB in the DFW club I'm in Allen and you need a hand with anything gimme a shout. The sender may be as easy a fix as pulling the connector off the sending unit and cleaning the contacts, fixed my 85s fuel guage issue. As for the louvres, I'd love to take them off your hands.
10-15-11, 06:24 PM
#5
that's better than excellent. you did great. your three issues are all mere inconveniences and can be taken care of with time and some effort. at 60k, just put in some time with maintenance and TLC and you should have many, many miles of joy with your SE.
on a side note: is it just me or do all the S3 ashtray covers all have the same unilateral crack?
on a side note: is it just me or do all the S3 ashtray covers all have the same unilateral crack?
10-15-11, 08:31 PM
#7
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Good Buy i absolutely love se cars i wouldn't trade mine for anything. I also have a torn drivers seat ha ha so if you happen to find a fix for it or a upholstery kit for them let me know i would appreciate it.Black Dragon automotive will sell you any part that you could possibly need for the most part for your car. They even sell re upholstery kits just not for grey seats. You will love this car and it will make the best and funnest daily driver you could ever ask for mine currently has 112k and still going strong.
Having watched your video i have noticed that there is some trim missing on the drivers and passengers side if you need it just pm me cuz i just removed all my trim on my se so i would be glad to help you out with that and i also have a lot of extra gsl-se parts interior and otherwise if you need anything. Also the aftermarket stereo install kits are a little hard to find i have found the the mailorder company called parts express is the best place to get one and they are under 20 bucks! When doing the stereo install be aware that the shifter surround and the fan and temp ***** must be removed gently so that the stereo surround will come off there is also a pin out so you can still use the stock amps with an aftermarket stereo just search on Google and you will find it.
good luck and if you have any questions or need advice pm me and i will help all i can.
Having watched your video i have noticed that there is some trim missing on the drivers and passengers side if you need it just pm me cuz i just removed all my trim on my se so i would be glad to help you out with that and i also have a lot of extra gsl-se parts interior and otherwise if you need anything. Also the aftermarket stereo install kits are a little hard to find i have found the the mailorder company called parts express is the best place to get one and they are under 20 bucks! When doing the stereo install be aware that the shifter surround and the fan and temp ***** must be removed gently so that the stereo surround will come off there is also a pin out so you can still use the stock amps with an aftermarket stereo just search on Google and you will find it.
good luck and if you have any questions or need advice pm me and i will help all i can.
Last edited by rotor motor 85; 10-15-11 at 08:48 PM.
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10-15-11, 10:38 PM
#8
Welcome to the First Gen Section. The most mature, well behaved section
of the entire forum. Just in case you didn't know, the First Gen's (SA/FB's)
are the BEST of all the Sevens. With a little TLC, you will truly have a rewarding
SE in your stable.
If she's not interested...I'd be happy to take it all of your hands.
Give me a quote to 33196?
of the entire forum. Just in case you didn't know, the First Gen's (SA/FB's)
are the BEST of all the Sevens. With a little TLC, you will truly have a rewarding
SE in your stable.
Give me a quote to 33196?
10-16-11, 12:06 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
thanks so much for the encouraging words! there will be more videos to come with updates and improvements. im really excited to start on this car.
10-16-11, 12:58 AM
#13
Welcome to the 1st gen section bloodlust and great find on that SE, if you don't mind me asking what did you give for it? If you want to keep the stock seats and the foam is in good shape, Racing beat sells new replacement covers for them for just over $250, a bit steep but most upholstery shops charge that or more to recover them so may be a good option. The body looks arrow strait in your video so if the paint isn't completely shot you might give a buff and polish a try. You really do have a great example of a 1st gen and GSL-SE and it seems to have been looked after pretty ovter the years and with the low millage it's that much better and as a rotary (turbo rotary at that) this should be a great car for you with few headaches (especially being efi). After owning the TII this may not have the set you back power but, this car is the best example of what a pure sports car is supposed to be light, quick, great handling, and fun, as a DD it should serve you well and give you lot's of enjoyment, treat her right and she'll treat you right back. Again welcome to the 1st gen section alot of great info in the archive and great people willing to help with questions and again as well great car.
P.S.
Meant to mention that if you want to get rid of the louvers on the back window (I don't like them either) you will have no problem selling them to another 1st gen owner who does. They see to be a love it or hate it sorta thing.
P.S.
Meant to mention that if you want to get rid of the louvers on the back window (I don't like them either) you will have no problem selling them to another 1st gen owner who does. They see to be a love it or hate it sorta thing.
Last edited by PK_12A; 10-16-11 at 01:06 AM. Reason: added stuff
10-16-11, 07:30 PM
#14
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I had gas gauge not working ....I found out that there was a lot of junk/rust and such in the tank...if your car runs like crap...you will likely need to drop the tank, replace the fuel sender and get the tank repair kit and re-do the tank ...the kit will run ya 70.00....fuel sender I think was around 139.00...mazda trix... good luck with the car... I like it...by the way....I had my froint seat re-done in leather and it cost 150.00... just a fyi ...
too bad you are not local....wouldlove to help ya a bit.....been there done that ......that is if you even need it..you seem pretty cool and know what you are doing.....and by the way...I had a guy on the forum helpme a TON ( rx7 addict) and if I can help a fellow rx7 nut...I would.......later...cjf
too bad you are not local....wouldlove to help ya a bit.....been there done that ......that is if you even need it..you seem pretty cool and know what you are doing.....and by the way...I had a guy on the forum helpme a TON ( rx7 addict) and if I can help a fellow rx7 nut...I would.......later...cjf
10-16-11, 08:11 PM
#15
Welcome. Here are pictures of the power window switches that might help. Maybe you can snap yours back in place.
http://intertron.com/ron/pw.html
http://intertron.com/ron/pw.html
10-17-11, 01:19 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah i've found that people either really like them, or hate them. I have someone i'm handing them off to already!
10-17-11, 02:02 PM
#19
Welcome aboard. The first-gen is an elemental sportscar; treat her right and she'll love you back for a long time.
Just be careful with getting too crazy with her until you understand her breakaway points - - a live-axle rear is a whole different kind of drive from what you're used to. She'll surprise you, the first time you break the rear loose on a corner.
Then you'll get to lovin' it.
Just be careful with getting too crazy with her until you understand her breakaway points - - a live-axle rear is a whole different kind of drive from what you're used to. She'll surprise you, the first time you break the rear loose on a corner.
Then you'll get to lovin' it.
10-17-11, 02:38 PM
#20
Welcome aboard. The first-gen is an elemental sportscar; treat her right and she'll love you back for a long time.
Just be careful with getting too crazy with her until you understand her breakaway points - - a live-axle rear is a whole different kind of drive from what you're used to. She'll surprise you, the first time you break the rear loose on a corner.
Then you'll get to lovin' it.
Just be careful with getting too crazy with her until you understand her breakaway points - - a live-axle rear is a whole different kind of drive from what you're used to. She'll surprise you, the first time you break the rear loose on a corner.
Then you'll get to lovin' it.
10-17-11, 05:08 PM
#22
The only good thing about it is that with experience, that oversteer point becomes extremely predictable, once you develop a 'calibrated butt.' You get to know right where it'll show up after a while.
First time I ran into it, about a week after I bought the car, I was hotfooting it up the s-shaped ramp onto the 405 north from Sherman Way in Van Nuys, one morning after a light drizzle. Must have really impressed the guy behind me as he dropped back several car lengths as I went fishtailing up that ramp swinging 60 degrees either way. Then it occurred to me to back off the throttle a bit. Was rather proud later that I never lost my forward line.
The first gen's are interesting in part because the driver's position feels to be close to the center of rotation when the rear end lets go, or even when making a real tight turn, or a bootlegger - - you don't feel lateral G's as much as you feel a kind of rotation of the whole car around you.
Unique feeling.
First time I ran into it, about a week after I bought the car, I was hotfooting it up the s-shaped ramp onto the 405 north from Sherman Way in Van Nuys, one morning after a light drizzle. Must have really impressed the guy behind me as he dropped back several car lengths as I went fishtailing up that ramp swinging 60 degrees either way. Then it occurred to me to back off the throttle a bit. Was rather proud later that I never lost my forward line.
The first gen's are interesting in part because the driver's position feels to be close to the center of rotation when the rear end lets go, or even when making a real tight turn, or a bootlegger - - you don't feel lateral G's as much as you feel a kind of rotation of the whole car around you.
Unique feeling.
10-17-11, 07:40 PM
#23
Lol yeah driver.. 1st time ever driving my 1st gen after spending 6 months trying to get it runnin, i went around a super long corner at about 45-50 rear end kicked out. Not being a expierenced driver i spun into a ditch.. Never ran again haha. Now that im used to it its alot of fun haha. Still hesitant on corners like that.
Blood beautiful 7 im extremely jelous. Have fun with it.
Blood beautiful 7 im extremely jelous. Have fun with it.
