The Big Question
 

So....
Most of you know of my current '81 RX-7 that's been the king of vibrations in my life for multiple years now....
It still needs a paint job, the interior to be redone, front suspension (badly!!), engine bay detailing and possibly seals, etc.

I found an '85 GSL-SE with all the goodies in *excellent* condition (with the exception of a few dings), and I can get it for $1500.

So....
Although I love the interior on the '81 and don't really care for the interior on the '85, and although I love the sound of the '81 but think the '85 sounds muddy (I imagine that could just be fixed by a different exhaust)....

Should I buy the '85 GSL-SE for $1500 and sell my project car of the last 3 years??

Thanks, as always, for your input;
~enigma32~

Well the GSL-SE is sweet. I got rid of my old car because I found an SE, but my car was in pretty bad shape and the SE was pretty clean.

I guess it depends on what you have done to the '81. If you have put a lot of time and money into it then it probably isnt worth it at this point, but if you havent I would suggest the GSL-SE.

You can't go wrong with an SE.

Your project car would need to have a lot of hours into it to make it nice enough for ME to want to take it over an SE. Mods such as an aftermarket intake and exhaust (think Dellorto or similar), a cleanup of the rats nest, electric fan, clean paint, nice body, airdam and rear spoiler, SE swapped rear end for the vented disks, LSD, custom interior that you spent a lot of time in, nice aftermarket stereo with amps installed, Recaro seats, etc.

If your 12a car is a 'runner' or daily driver, you get a lot of performance out of the move to an SE over just about any project car. The only downside is the sometimes higher cost of replacement parts (factory) for the SE vs. the more ubiquitous 12a cars.

On the SE, the following are improved, updated for your consideration;

+ 13b; 135hp, 130 lb/ft torque, EFI - easy to tune, easy to fix, only 2 injectors to worry about
+ 4 wheel VENTED disks (over solid rear disks on the GSL), LSD rearend
+ electric everything, though it adds weight, it also adds convenience
+ 14" wheels, standard 4x114.3 (4x4.5"), equating to wide assortment of wheels available
+ front and REAR stabilizer bars, mounts lowered by 2cm to aid in cornering
+ cruise control standard for longer trips
+ rear wiper standard

This is a start. I'm sure the other SE drivers will chime in here any minute with what they appreciate most about their SE's. HTH,

Evaluate the current condition of each car. You should then consider what you need to do to each car to restore it to your final desired condition. Add up the effort for each car along with the purchase price of the GSLSE and then consider the value of any additional benefits of the GSLSE and the cost to add those features to the other car. You should be able to make an objective decision in that manner.

Just to be the devil's advocate, the differences are not that significant and may not all be desireable to every person:
13B vs. 12A engine - neither gives stellar performance in stock form but if modified either one is good and they are very close in performance. And some people prefer carburettors.
vented vs. solid brakes - good chance you will never notice the difference.
electrics - easy to add the electric mirrors or anything else. Electric windows are badly wired, add weight, and totally unnecessary in such a small car.
wheels - the 12A wheels are more common because more of them were made. How often do you need to replace wheels? In 21 years I have only bent 2 wheels in road use.
suspension mounts - if you want to lower the car, the earlier mounts are better.
cruise control - available for the 12A if you even want it or use it.
rear wiper - easily added, however it adds weight and many people rarely use it.

Furthermore, the S3 interior in the GSLSE had some other questionable changes:
Instrument cluster had a bad design with the tach to the side instead of centered
Colors of instrument panel were not as good for visibility.
On a positive, the materials were still cheesy, but the fabric roof is less prone to cracking than the vinyl.

This is simply for perspective. Everyone has his or her opinion and preferences. Oh, and as they say, "ignore sunk costs," which may be difficult. But either way you win, having a RX-7.

Well damn Long Duck, no you got me wanting a SE. I've got a chance to buy an FC for 1000. Needs brake lines, a hood, and 4 tires. Is that a deal?

Otherwise clean

Well said. Evaluate where you are and where you want to be and decide which will get you there for less.

On the rear brakes, I never noticed the difference between the drums and the disks, let alone vented vs. solid.

hmm
I don't expect I'll ever be doing more than minor performance mods,-- for the most part I'd like to keep whatever I have stock-looking and, for the most part, stock-acting.

I do have an aversion to the S3 dash and gauge cluster though... thats one of the only major things holding me back... But I suppose I'm thinking that for $1500 I could avoid having to paint a whole car for a number of years and would have a good condition interior even if it's not exactly what I want?

If it was me, and I had a chance to get a fairly umolested SE with reasonable miles, I would opt to get it and leave it basically stock. Something about messing with a limited edition would make nervous. It may be more valuable that way in the long run.

Edit- just re-read your post. Sounds like you've got a lot of work to do on your project car. If the SE is in that much better shape- you'd be better off in the long run getting it, IMO. Paint is a fairly hefty expense (if done correctly).

i have an SE and have ridden in 12a cars and i always feel a big difference...i say go for the SE, you won't regret it

Alright, I think I'm gonna do this :-)
I suppose I can always get another S2 at another time if I decide that I like them that much more than an S3....

Thanks for the input guys--- I'll be posting pics of a new car (and the old one) in a few weeks :-D

keep em both! twice the fun =)

Personally, the gsl-se is pretty nice, but I have not really driven the 12a cars. I'm sure they are just as good. However, there is def more 12a parts/stuff out there.

Here are my observations of the GSL-SE
Pros: 13B 6port EFI, bigger wheels, 4 discs, lsd (the latter 2 are on the gsl)
Cons: A lot of the extra electric stuff I could really do without though. Like the windows, the mirrors, cruise control and the rear sprayer/wiper. Anything for less weight!

Anyways, if you can only have one, pick the one you like more. Hope this helps!

Just picked up my SE last night :-D


Hopefully it'll go on the road today... then as soon as I get a chance I'm snapping pictures of both....

It's so strange driving the EFI 13B!!!

Wow, my GSL must really be special! It has cruise control, rear wiper, power everything. Seems like this baby came loaded off the lot! (Louvers too)

Congratulations on your buy :bigthumb:

nice! glad to see another SE owner! are you keeping both?

All but the louvers are standard on a GSL.