GSL-SE from various countries, Whats the difference
#1
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GSL-SE from various countries, Whats the difference
What is the difference in the GSL-SE from various countries around the world. That is manufacture options and dealer accessories.
#7
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Yep, aussie S3s had the bigger brakes, and different bolt pattern. There were other differences as well. Bigger rad, crappier oil cooler etc.
We didn't get the fancy dash the GSL-SE had.
We didn't get the fancy dash the GSL-SE had.
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#8
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Originally posted by S2-13BT
Yep, aussie S3s had the bigger brakes, and different bolt pattern. There were other differences as well. Bigger rad, crappier oil cooler etc.
We didn't get the fancy dash the GSL-SE had.
Yep, aussie S3s had the bigger brakes, and different bolt pattern. There were other differences as well. Bigger rad, crappier oil cooler etc.
We didn't get the fancy dash the GSL-SE had.
But our S3 12As maintained the Mazda bolt pattern, for what that is worth...
I am starting to wonder if people outside the US have the impression that all US-market Series 3's were GSL-SE. They weren't. The GSL-SE was a very small percentage of total RX-7 sales, I think on the order of 5 percent or thereabouts. However since it has "enthusiast value" (and they were friggin' expensive when new) they tend to be better kept and so a larger percentage of GSL-SEs have lived this long, as opposed to the standard cars (S/GS/GSL).
Last edited by peejay; 06-06-04 at 07:58 PM.
#9
Rotary Enthusiast
I must admit, when I read GSL-SE I assume it's your version of S3. When I read GSL, GS or whatever, I think S2. Then when the year model is mentioned I get confused! Then you say FB, and it get's worse!! Haha.
I can't say for sure, but in Oz, we didn't even have different spec models with the labels, S/GS/GSL or anything like that. I may be wrong, but I've never seen anyone talk about them. Our cars are always, S1 or S2 or S3, and nothing else.
It's interesting the way Mazda sold the cars around the world.
Down here, it doesn't really matter what model the car is. If it's in good nic and has a 13BT or a big ported motor, that's all that counts!
I can't say for sure, but in Oz, we didn't even have different spec models with the labels, S/GS/GSL or anything like that. I may be wrong, but I've never seen anyone talk about them. Our cars are always, S1 or S2 or S3, and nothing else.
It's interesting the way Mazda sold the cars around the world.
Down here, it doesn't really matter what model the car is. If it's in good nic and has a 13BT or a big ported motor, that's all that counts!
#10
Old [Sch|F]ool
Yah, our stuff has been weird - drum brakes and open diff right up till the end of production, unless you have a GSL (S2 and S3 only) or a GSL-SE (S3 only). And even then, the GSL's maintained the standard front brakes (tiny vented) and the solid rear discs, and as before all 12A cars used the 25mm offset 4x110 wheel pattern.
I'm sure if Mazda USA spec'ed the 4x4.5 bolt pattern for all S3's then there'd be a lot fewer people gutting GSL-SEs just so they can get easier access to aftermarket wheels!
I have a Brooklands road lest compilation book, they did some weird things in Europe and South Africa, too. I forget which country it was, but it was an S2 with an instrument panel that looked more like something Subaru would do (tach on one side, speedo on the other, light cluster in a strip down the middle) than what would be in an RX-7!
Then again they might have got the pictures confused... another one of those tests shows an "above engine bay" shot that is obviously of a 626 or somesuch... the incorrect location of the cowl venting and the FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE were a bit of a giveaway.
I'm sure if Mazda USA spec'ed the 4x4.5 bolt pattern for all S3's then there'd be a lot fewer people gutting GSL-SEs just so they can get easier access to aftermarket wheels!
I have a Brooklands road lest compilation book, they did some weird things in Europe and South Africa, too. I forget which country it was, but it was an S2 with an instrument panel that looked more like something Subaru would do (tach on one side, speedo on the other, light cluster in a strip down the middle) than what would be in an RX-7!
Then again they might have got the pictures confused... another one of those tests shows an "above engine bay" shot that is obviously of a 626 or somesuch... the incorrect location of the cowl venting and the FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE were a bit of a giveaway.
Last edited by peejay; 06-06-04 at 08:20 PM.
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the only 2 options on the usa gsl-se, were power steering and leather. this bumps the price from 14ish to about $16,600, which in todays money is like $32k. the rx8 is a comparative bargin at a mere $24k (for a model with the least bs crap)
#14
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
GSL-SE's were 27% in 1984 and 19% in 1985.
Edit: According to AutoZone anyway
Edit: According to AutoZone anyway
Last edited by bouis; 06-06-04 at 11:24 PM.
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Originally posted by j9fd3s
the only 2 options on the usa gsl-se, were power steering and leather.
the only 2 options on the usa gsl-se, were power steering and leather.
Further to what s2-13bt said:
The s3 (84/85s) came in at least two spec levels in Australia: "Sport" and "Limited". "Sport" is quite rare as they were fairly stripped out. I have a road test from the time that says they didn't come with seats as you were supposed to put aftermarket race seats in. The Limited was actually pretty standard. As has been said, the interiour was the same as the s2 (ie basically 81-83) with slightly different seats and material. The only options were the sunroof and two-tone paint, usually seen in silver-and-darker-silver and gold-and-brown.
Also, all Aus delivered cars had back seats, not the boxes the US got.
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Originally posted by peejay
That's not an option, that is a dealer-installed accessory, like the rear spoiler.
You bought it after-the-fact and the dealer installed it for you.
That's not an option, that is a dealer-installed accessory, like the rear spoiler.
You bought it after-the-fact and the dealer installed it for you.
You remember Mazda (the Japanese company, actually Toyo Kogyo) had a different arrangement for selling cars than other car manufacturers. The distribution scheme in use at the time allowed the importer in each country to pick what options/accessiories/whatever.. the RX-7s would be shipped and sold with. In other words, it was the importer who determined what type of brakes, wheels, etc., and whether the cars would have headlight washers, power steering, full-size spare, rear seats, etc. The "importer" was either a distributor in the case of Mazda North America or the dealer scheme in the UK and some other countries at the time. That is why they could be sold in all these seemingly crazy combinations. There was an item not available everywhere: the 84-85 dash. They did not make the later dash style in a RHD version. I don't remember why not. If anyone knows the reason why please say so.
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Originally posted by kleinke
Many RX-7's arrive at the port without air conditioning, or with no sunroof at all (even 1994 RX-7 in this condition). The importer or dealer installed the sunroofs and airconditioining from a kit which Mazda provided. .
Many RX-7's arrive at the port without air conditioning, or with no sunroof at all (even 1994 RX-7 in this condition). The importer or dealer installed the sunroofs and airconditioining from a kit which Mazda provided. .
#19
Old [Sch|F]ool
Originally posted by kleinke
Many RX-7's arrive at the port without air conditioning, or with no sunroof at all (even 1994 RX-7 in this condition). The importer or dealer installed the sunroofs and airconditioining from a kit which Mazda provided. If it is a Mazda part be it spoiler, air dam, air conditioning, sunroof, rear seat, then what is the difference between accessory and option? It is the same result. You pay all the same.
Many RX-7's arrive at the port without air conditioning, or with no sunroof at all (even 1994 RX-7 in this condition). The importer or dealer installed the sunroofs and airconditioining from a kit which Mazda provided. If it is a Mazda part be it spoiler, air dam, air conditioning, sunroof, rear seat, then what is the difference between accessory and option? It is the same result. You pay all the same.
Which is why 12A cars are listed as being like 200lb lighter than GSL-SE's - the GSL-SEs were *all* loaded to the gills, while the 12A cars had accessories like A/C installed at the port of entry. The "official" weight is the weight of the car as it goes on the boat.
In reality, a GSL-SE is only about 100lb more than most 12A cars, since most 12A cars came loaded down too.
There was an item not available everywhere: the 84-85 dash. They did not make the later dash style in a RHD version. I don't remember why not. If anyone knows the reason why please say so.
#20
Rotary Enthusiast
WTF happened with that dash anyway? Everyone knows white on black is the best instrument color scheme and the tach goes in the middle. They changed the dash and actually made it worse. What do you think sucks about it?
#21
Old [Sch|F]ool
GREEN on black.
Green is a nice neutral color, it doesn't glare like orange, it's lighter and thus easier to read than red, and it doesn't diffuse heavily like blue.
On the cars where I had green backlit gauges, I didn't have to look down to read them, I could easily tell where they were at in my peripheral vision. With these here red gauges, I have to keep looking down...
Green is a nice neutral color, it doesn't glare like orange, it's lighter and thus easier to read than red, and it doesn't diffuse heavily like blue.
On the cars where I had green backlit gauges, I didn't have to look down to read them, I could easily tell where they were at in my peripheral vision. With these here red gauges, I have to keep looking down...
#22
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
I'm honestly not sure why, but red seems to be the preferred color for light sources in important places or for important situations.
#23
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Oh yeah, now I remember, it's easier on your eyes at night. Helps you keep your night vision.
Last edited by bouis; 06-07-04 at 10:40 PM.