I am looking at a couple of 85 GSL SEs. They are around $2500. Assuming decent condition, what do you all think of that year and model?

I tried the search but it wouldn't let me just put in "85 GSL SE". It said I didn't have enough words

If this question has been asked many times before, please give me links to threads/reviews.

Thanks for your patience and the info.

 

85 gsl-se were the last and best 1st gens made in the states. 2500 is a fair price as long as there is no rust and it doesnt have really high miles.
they had an efi 13b 6 port, bigger brakes, more desirable bolt pattern, lsd, and some extra weight hehe
i like the 12a cars for some reason but thats just me. at least get a gsl if you are getting an fb.

gamble

 

Forgive my ignorance, but what does fb, fc etc stand for?

 

hey man you gotta learn sometime
id say write this down on a psot it note and study it lol
79-80 is SA22c
81-85-FB
86-91-FC
92 there were no rexes
93-95-fd
(still made in japan til 99 or was it 2k?)

also called by their series, esp the damn aussies that seem to be crowding our boards :P: hahahaha
79-80-S1 (series 1)
81-83-s2
84-85-s3
86-88-s4
89-91-s5
93-95-s6
in japan they had s7's and s8's but those are none of your concern yet young padawan

 

by thrue enthusiests, the 85 GSL-SE was considered to be the best rx-7 ever made.

I read it all the time....

 

hey man, lay off the aussies.... I LOVE MY S3! haha.

 

haha im only rag on you cause i wish i was in australia, hmmm how hard would it be to move there......

 

Probably cheaper than you think man... with the great exchange rate you guys get, plus the airfares are pretty good... I think you could come over here quite easily on a pretty low budget..

and buying Rotary stuff is great here, as most of you guys would know.

 

ha, yeah....

"Damn, I wish I could get one of them over here in North America"

"Dat store down the block's got two a 'em down 'ere."

"You bastard"


Jeff

 

hehe funny.

As for the whole opinion of the 85 GSL-SE rx7...well I'd certainly say it's close if not the best of the 1st gen rx7.

 

The two to have are the '79 RX-7 GS and the '85 GSL-SE..

In my humble opinion....

Jeff

 

Yeah I'd agree with that humble opinion.

 

is there any difference between the 84 GSL-SE and the 85?

 

My undserstanding is virtually no difference. I think the air intake is moved slightly on the 85 to lessen the possibility of splashing water in, I read that somewhere.

As to which is better, I have a GSL and an SE. I love 'em both, but guess which ones for sale in the spring!

 

GSL-SE's are simply the BEST Rex ever made. Elanore (my 1985 GSL-SE) is TONS of fun to drive and has never had ANY problems except for rust (salty roads up here) and electrical problems related to her previous owner's rather hackneyed attempt at custom stereo installation.

I like the non -SE models too. I also get to drive my G/F's (Sarita on the forum) '85 S (Base) model. They both have advantages, but I love my -SE

I'd like to collect a few more REXs tho when I have the money and time:
1978 J-Spec Savanna RX-7
1979 LE
1983 Anniversary X Edition

 

The '85 has a sligthly taller 5th gear ratio (.711) Other than that, they are virtually the same cars.

 

The main thing with the SE is you get enhanced suspension, brakes (4 wheel vented discs), both sun & moon roofs, and, most importantly, a fuel injected 13B rotary that is perhaps one of the most reliable spinners Mazda ever made.

The car looks great, is easy to maintain, has gobs of torque over the other FBs and SAs (12A models - '12A' and '13B' being the designations for the 1.2 and 1.3 litre engines respectively)

If you have more questions about SA vs FB, etc, stop by http://www.rotorhead.ca/ref_VIN.php

 

Wrench-hands, the Type SE reminds me of the early Camaro Z Option. Both vehicles came from their respective factories with the major modifications done. For the SE was a real oil cooler, 13B injected, vented discs all around, slightly lower suspension mountings, larger wheels and brake rotaors, close ratio 5 speed, lsd, and a 4:10 (or nearly) rear axle ratio. The 85 SE had some slight difference from the 84, most noteble was the 720 mm injectors instead of the 680 mm.

A wondrful, unique, way to go...
A tip of the 'ol Stetson,
Denny....

 

It's a fantastic driving experience but I'm not sure it's the best rx-7 ever made.

The transmission has many known documented problems..(I've gone through enough), as well the side mirrors are kinda wimpy. Also I'm still not a big fan of the split air pipe opening the 6-ports, makes for a hassle of exhaust upgrades.

Other than that it handles like a dream. I consider it the ultimate roadster.

But I'd still say my 89 TII is a better rx.

F-

 

I've had three GSL's, one GXL, One Convertible, and One GSL-SE since '84.

The GSL-SE was the most fun to drive of any RX7 I've owned. I think it is because the motor has gobs of torque, and the solid axle loves to hop.

Remember I said fun, not the best handling or fastest RX7, but the most fun. Although on a warm night it was usually the convertible that won over the GSL-SE.

It is probably the only car I regret selling. I sold the car when I got a four year old Legend Coupe with 10k miles from an 80 year old neighbor. When I gave the Legend Coupe to my wife, I replaced it with a mint Porsche 944S2, as a substitute for the GSL-SE. I also think my Convertible RX7 is more fun to drive than my Porsche, except autocrossing which has to be done in first gear in the Mazda.

Take it from an old man, if the car is clean buy it, enjoy it, and don't look back!!!!!

 

I've had an 84 GSL-SE since 1988 and it's one car I'll never part with. I've had other 1st gens, second gens and a 94 third gen and I'll probably get others, but I'll never part with my GSL-SE.