'85 GXL-SE is that the Holy Grail of 1st Gens??
05-04-05, 10:37 PM
#27
Bimmer *****
Originally Posted by bizarro
don't forget the torque the 13b gives you! it definately is the holy grail to me...better bolt pattern, cooled disk brakes (gsl doesn't have this) and to top it off...NO CHOKE TO PULL WHEN STARTING HER UP 
05-04-05, 11:07 PM
#28
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The pricing may have referred to constant dollars. For example, $17,900 in 1985 would equate to $31,403 in 2004, using conversion factor of .570 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Even if was a "holy grail" 20 years ago, the engine, suspension, brakes, etc. can all benefit from upgrade to more modern performance standards. Since it requires similar effort to upgrade any model regardless of its original trim level, there is not much difference what you start with. They are all good.
Even if was a "holy grail" 20 years ago, the engine, suspension, brakes, etc. can all benefit from upgrade to more modern performance standards. Since it requires similar effort to upgrade any model regardless of its original trim level, there is not much difference what you start with. They are all good.
05-04-05, 11:42 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by Rx7carl
BTW, its not pro7 legal. It can run in SCCA ITS where its not very competitive. 
BTW... Holy Grail is subjective. I think the Holy Grail of 1st gens is the 1979/1980 Leather Sport. Black on Black.
How many of those were made again?
Obviously, the Holy Grail on FC's is the 1988 10th Anneversary...
I wouldn't know what the Holy Grail of the FD's is.
05-04-05, 11:45 PM
#31
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I have read 17,500 for a GSL-SE.
I just picked up one myself for 1000 dollars on E-bay. This is the first RX-7 I have personally owned. I have had several 12a friends and I have tried their cars.
It doesn't feel that much different to me. It's probably a little bit quicker but overall I don't find a major difference from what I remember about a buddies 83 GS. Maybe there is some weight, maybe my memory is a little bit fuzzy because it has been a couple of years.
I just picked up one myself for 1000 dollars on E-bay. This is the first RX-7 I have personally owned. I have had several 12a friends and I have tried their cars.
It doesn't feel that much different to me. It's probably a little bit quicker but overall I don't find a major difference from what I remember about a buddies 83 GS. Maybe there is some weight, maybe my memory is a little bit fuzzy because it has been a couple of years.
05-04-05, 11:57 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by cosmicbang
The pricing may have referred to constant dollars. For example, $17,900 in 1985 would equate to $31,403 in 2004, using conversion factor of .570 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Even if was a "holy grail" 20 years ago, the engine, suspension, brakes, etc. can all benefit from upgrade to more modern performance standards. Since it requires similar effort to upgrade any model regardless of its original trim level, there is not much difference what you start with. They are all good.
Even if was a "holy grail" 20 years ago, the engine, suspension, brakes, etc. can all benefit from upgrade to more modern performance standards. Since it requires similar effort to upgrade any model regardless of its original trim level, there is not much difference what you start with. They are all good.
The 1985 US prices published by Mazda were:-
GSL -SE $16,645
GSL...... $13,645
GS ...... $11,845
S......... $10,945
The cost of modernising them will be generally the same cost, except in the fuel system. I suggest its cheaper to increase carb performance than that of installing a better efi.
You basically get you pay for, so to answer the original question, if they are all in the same condition and for the same price then the GSL-SE must be the winner. If you want a carby 12A then the GSL is second choice.
05-05-05, 12:05 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Elysian
mine doesn't have a choke lol, but thats cause my holley doesn't have a choke! haha
Originally Posted by jhammons01
Most of you are missing the question.
Lets make believe that we have All first gens lined up before us....... they are all in the same shape and all have the same miles.....bone stock and they are all selling for $XX00 (put what ever number you think)
YOU DRAW the short straw so you get to pick first......which one do you pick???
Lets make believe that we have All first gens lined up before us....... they are all in the same shape and all have the same miles.....bone stock and they are all selling for $XX00 (put what ever number you think)
YOU DRAW the short straw so you get to pick first......which one do you pick???
Last edited by bizarro; 05-05-05 at 12:07 AM.
05-05-05, 10:16 AM
#40
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Originally Posted by web777
IMO the holy grails are:
1st gens: GSL-SE and limited editions
2nd gen: 10th anniversary editon and TII conv
3rd gen: Spirit R and CYM touring
1st gens: GSL-SE and limited editions
2nd gen: 10th anniversary editon and TII conv
3rd gen: Spirit R and CYM touring
It is still a subjective question. An R1 FD, or base model FB would be preferable to some people, but others want the sunroof and weight-adding options of a touring model or GSL-SE.
Personally, I think the later versions of both became even more cheesy in the interiors. For example, in redesigning the S3 dashboard of their top-of-the-line flagship sportscar, Mazda thought it appropriate to add fake plastic stitching and faux leather grain textures, and the later FD models also seemed to use more plastic and cheaper materials in the interior. Interiors are not Mazda's forté.
05-05-05, 10:20 AM
#41
Bimmer *****
Originally Posted by cosmicbang
CYM touring??
It is still a subjective question. An R1 FD, or base model FB would be preferable to some people, but others want the sunroof and weight-adding options of a touring model or GSL-SE.
Personally, I think the later versions of both became even more cheesy in the interiors. For example, in redesigning the S3 dashboard of their top-of-the-line flagship sportscar, Mazda thought it appropriate to add fake plastic stitching and faux leather grain textures, and the later FD models also seemed to use more plastic and cheaper materials in the interior. Interiors are not Mazda's forté.
It is still a subjective question. An R1 FD, or base model FB would be preferable to some people, but others want the sunroof and weight-adding options of a touring model or GSL-SE.
Personally, I think the later versions of both became even more cheesy in the interiors. For example, in redesigning the S3 dashboard of their top-of-the-line flagship sportscar, Mazda thought it appropriate to add fake plastic stitching and faux leather grain textures, and the later FD models also seemed to use more plastic and cheaper materials in the interior. Interiors are not Mazda's forté.
05-05-05, 10:36 AM
#42
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Originally Posted by Elysian
yeah they thought red was a cool interior color
And yes, the GSL had 4 wheel disc brakes - solid, smaller discs compared to the GSL-SE's larger, vented discs.
05-05-05, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by cosmicbang
Mazda thought it appropriate to add fake plastic stitching and faux leather grain textures. Interiors are not Mazda's forté.
Either make it leather or make it plastic... Don't make it inbetween...
I wonder if I sand blast it will it smoothen out.
05-05-05, 11:12 AM
#44
Carter 2.0
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by CHEF_EG_1
The "holy grail" for FD's is either a 93 CYM R1, or a 96+ model (we didn't get them, here), and even moreso, the 2002 Spirit R
What is the CYM Touring?? That one has been mentioned a couple of times.
05-05-05, 02:04 PM
#46
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As far as building a race car straight up i would be looking for an sa. Lightest to start with. I would think weight would be first priority in a racecar. At least if i had the cash to do it.
05-05-05, 05:17 PM
#47
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Cyan, lol. That would be CMYK, not CYM.
There were no "CYM Touring" models from the factory. CYM (Competition Yellow Mica) was an R1 color only. There were 350 CYM R1 RX-7s, all 1993 model year.
There were no "CYM Touring" models from the factory. CYM (Competition Yellow Mica) was an R1 color only. There were 350 CYM R1 RX-7s, all 1993 model year.
05-05-05, 05:59 PM
#48
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Originally Posted by eViLjAy
As far as building a race car straight up i would be looking for an sa. Lightest to start with. I would think weight would be first priority in a racecar. At least if i had the cash to do it.
05-05-05, 06:00 PM
#49
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jhammonds- there was a 85 FB model sold from September 84 until the FCs came on the market a year later.
The best gen 1 produced, but only sold in Japan, was the 85 ' Limited Version' based on the GT-X turbo model. Less than 200 were made. Now they are a collectors' item in Japan, and fetch US$12,000+ on the rare occasion they come on the market.
Sorry your thread has wandered a little rather than answering the original interesting question, which was the best Gen 1.
As stock for a US market gen 1, I would choose the GSL-SE. My Holy Grail would be to own the Pacific Avator convertible with the 300hp 13B turbo water injected engine.
The best gen 1 produced, but only sold in Japan, was the 85 ' Limited Version' based on the GT-X turbo model. Less than 200 were made. Now they are a collectors' item in Japan, and fetch US$12,000+ on the rare occasion they come on the market.
Sorry your thread has wandered a little rather than answering the original interesting question, which was the best Gen 1.
As stock for a US market gen 1, I would choose the GSL-SE. My Holy Grail would be to own the Pacific Avator convertible with the 300hp 13B turbo water injected engine.
Last edited by PaulFitzwarryne; 05-05-05 at 06:23 PM.
05-05-05, 06:29 PM
#50
Savanna Rx-7
Originally Posted by PaulFitzwarryne
jhammonds- there was a 85 FB model sold from September 84 until the FCs came on the market a year later.
The best gen 1 produced, but only sold in Japan, was the 85 ' Limited Version' based on the GT-X turbo model. Less than 200 were made. Now they are a collectors' item in Japan, and fetch US$12,000+ on the rare occasion they come on the market.
The best gen 1 produced, but only sold in Japan, was the 85 ' Limited Version' based on the GT-X turbo model. Less than 200 were made. Now they are a collectors' item in Japan, and fetch US$12,000+ on the rare occasion they come on the market.
But like you said they don't really pop up very often, I sat at the virtual auction waiting for almost 2 hours for the thing to pop up, and once the bidding started it was just friggin nuts, it went from a starting price of 6K and just climbed like i would not have believed.
kenn