I am learning, and thanks for the ongoing thread. My first choice would be an SE at the right price and mileage, next on my list would be the earlier GSLs, 'cuz they are said to be more tossable. Third, an 84 or 85 GSL.

So, have to fix a big oil leak on the Scout, sell it on ebay, then look for a 7.

I only gave you this info, cuz you said that you were a newbie. I agree that the 12a's have a great throttle response in the lower gears. My 1980 was just as fun to drive :-)

I looked on craigslist in your area and found no SE for sale. There were plenty of 12a models though.

I appreciate the info. Somehow, that very same table (helpful) shows up many times and places, and I have memorized some of the stats, particularly the RX7s. Bottom line is the fun-factor.

Brandon, I agree. The dilemma is to wait for who knows how long, for a great SE deal, or opt for a 12A. This board has been very helpful in nailing things down. So, if an affordable early GSL shows up I'll try for it. It's not an SE, but I really want LSD and rear discs on a "turn-key" car. My back complains every time I buy a project.

Back to finishing the Scout and getting it ready for ebay.

If you want a good RX-7 you've gotta come out west and get a car that hasn't been used in midwest winters. Seriously. There are plenty of good cars and they've often gone for low prices.

I'm putting both my 85GSL (a real creampuff with 82k, still has newcar smell) and my 85SE (170k, runs and looks good after all the restoration/rescue I've done) on the market pretty soon.

Believe me I have thought of that. If I could find a warm climate GSL and the price was right, I would fly out and drive home. Obviously necessitating a 7 that was in that kind of shape. Feel free to PM me anytme. Dave

I like the lightness of the GSL, but want the suspension of the GSLSE. So swap the GSLSE setup into the GSL and you have best of both worlds

I agree, but I gotta ask....What's heavier about the GSLSE?

Very interesting thread, I'm wondering the same thing for myself. It seems that I'm now leaning toward the SE since I'm older and more sedentary. Leave the go-carting to the kids!

engine (Carbed engines are simpler, lighter), less options like power windows, rear wipers, Power steering, etc. im sure its a matter of 300lbs but with these motors thats a huge difference.

"I am mostly looking for 1st and 2nd gear throttle response and "zippiness" around town."

Sounds like an obvious candidate for a light flywheel, because that is exactly what it does for you.

I agree with the recommendation to find the nicest one you can, which ever model, and buy it. In my opinion, the 84-85 models, which benefited from several years production of the 1st gen cars, are the most refined, with much better instrumentation, better heating and ventilation, more comfortable seats( for some people, especially if you are tall), and the nicest are the GSl and SE models, with the nicer door panels, LSD and other features. I have owned a lot of these cars, and currently have two 84 GSLs, the nicest RX-7s I have owned. I prefer the lighter feel over the SE, and I expect you would be happy with a 12a and a light flywheel.

I'm 6'2" and my 83GS is definitely the most comfortable. The seat is about 1.5" thinner, which gives more headroom, and has a better rake with better thigh support. It does not have the seat tilt mechanism added in 84 which does nothing for me but it takes away that precious 1.5". Also, the seatback is thinner so I have more legroom. I've tried for years to find a good 83 seat for my 85SE.

I actually weighed the 83GS and 85GSL once and the 83 was over 200 lbs. lighter! That explains why it is so much more responsive, especially on twisty mountain roads.

GSL's are very very fast, never got in an SE edition however removing the stock fan with an E-Fan jezzz youll notice the power in the GSL right away, anyways get the best buy for the buck im sure the GSL and GSL-SE are both really good choices.

No. The standard fan clutch freewheels at speed and does nothing. Electric fans are a scam.

know your facts before you post, remove your stock fan and watch your RPG's , ive done this before and trust me BIG diffirence in performance, however I had to put the stock fan back in cause the E-Fan wasnt powerful enough to cool my car down, Other then that, E-FANs are not a scam, you cant buy an E-Fan off paid programing commercials,and it isnt sold at a flee market, so no they dont make E-Fans to scam people

Im on my second 7. My first was a Gsl with Se suspension and now i have a full SE. Though the set ups are different, i think that the gsl handled better (partly due to sway bars and what not) but the SE is more well rounded with better low end and high end power especially with the aux ports working... But as you guys were saying the SE seems to be a more solid car IMO

I may be wrong here, but for some reason I remember reading that the 85 GSL was the heaviest of all the 1st gens. I'm not sure why. Was power steering put on more GSL's than SE's-----I don't know. Maybe it's in the rear?

Look in the 1st gen archives. Call it a scam if you want, but it was proven that an efficient E-fan adds 11 RWHP. Let's close this up, since it has been debated a thousand times. The proof is there if you want it.

damm nobody will lend me their SE to take for a real test run (drive it like it supposed to b)
but I owned 1 S1, 2 S2's and one S3. but to get a real fun one you must put it together.
pose rear, 79 tranny and of course secondaries on your nikki with rats nest removed (vtec yo)

where did u get this info from?

Citation please.

I remember reading something a few months ago where a guy claimed he proved something like that, but he didn't.

Still an open question as near as I can see.

Like I said, if you really want to know, search the archives. I know it's there.

If you know it's there then find it and post it up. I'm not about to waste time trying to prove you're right.

Some guys demonstrate the freewheeling fan by stopping it with a finger (but not me) and some guys throw a rag in it (not me - maybe it'll tangle in the belts).

If it's a defective clutch it will stick on and make a loud whooshing sound always and that will lose you HP. I had one like that once, but it's long gone.

Anyway, the stock SE is definetely more powerful, especially at the low end. And the suspension is much tighter. But my understanding is that an RB header on a GS or GSL will make it competitive (tho I wonder about low end torque), and a Sterling and streetport are even better.

It depends on what you are looking for. An 84-85 GSL is going to be a similar weight to the SE, but the SE has more torque, more power, wider powerband, etc.

If you are looking for something lightweight, barebones, etc. try an S2 S or GS model. A sunroof will add weight, but well worth it IMO.

Best of both worlds would probably be an S/GS S2 model with the SE drivetrain swapped over. Get most of the SE benefits without the weight. Assuming you don't care about power windows, power steering, etc.