I'm hoping to buy an SA/FB to use as a fun daily driver, and I was wondering if anyone who has owned/driven both a GS and a GSL could explain to me how much of a difference there is in terms of driving dynamics.

I've done my research and the actual differences between the GS and GSL as far as I can see is that the GSL has: power windows, rear disc brakes, LSD, and sunroof. It looks like the GSL weighs in at around 2500 lbs.

Because the car will only be a daily driver it doesn't have to be "stripped out" or anything, but I'm wondering if the weight difference is <i>that</i> much between the two cars. I'd prefer a lighter car, but what I'm getting at is there really that much of a difference between the cars that it should be a deciding factor. In other words, I'd prefer a GS, but is it worth skipping out on a good GSL if I can find one. Is it worth waiting?

In terms of mods, I'd probably just like to refresh the suspension and maybe put an after-market exhaust on. I'd like it to handle really well, but power doesn't matter too much since I want the car to stay reliable.

I know this is an entirely subjective question, and I'm not trying to argue that one car is better or worse than the other, I just know that for me I probably won't get much use out of the extra features and would prefer lighter weight. Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.

 

Since it will be a DD, I wouldn't let a small amount of weight difference be the deciding factor. The limited slip and rear disk do make the GSL a more desirable vehicle, I would let condition be the deciding factor at this point with such an old vehicle.

 

having owned both, they drive the same, biggest difference is the power windows/leather if equipped.

i'd go with condition too

 

My 84 FB GSL does have a LSD rear end, power windows, and leather interior.
Condition will help determine lifetime either way.

 

SAs did not come with a GSL designation and FBs did not come with a GS designation I don't
think. So are you asking to compare an SA GS with an FB GSL? We need clearer guidance I think
before giving the best answer.

This post provides the trim levels available: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...13/#post154484

 

i meant to say, that except for the obvious things like power windows and leather, if equipped. if we put you in an Rx7 blindfolded and asked you to name the model you probably couldn't, so best to shop for condition/color

 

I agree with the sentiment of buy what ever car is in the best condition.

There is a larger differences between the series/years of the cars that you could be more interested in discovering rather then a debate between a GS v. GSL. Series 1 78-80, series 2 81-83.5, Series 3 84-85. All three series have different interior layouts, a few body updates, and a few mechanical changes. The majority of the mechanical parts can be swapped between the cars with some exceptions. S1 cars are more challenging to get a variety of the odd parts but still fantastic cars.

Some people largely under value these cars so just have your money together and keep looking. I've had buddies buy really clean RX7's for under a $1000 while some other people would sell the same car for closer to $2500.

I would really advise you to try and find some local RX7's, maybe if there are any local car meets coming up you can try and see the difference in aesthetics for yourself.

Good luck with your search.

 

My 84 is a GS.

 

i find gsl(gxl for 2nd gens) and hire trim up models on any car is likely to be more well kept then base model

 

This is basically what I was getting at. I'm just worried that a higher-spec model is going to feel bloated and lose some of the nimbleness of the base models. Now I don't have any reason to believe this, since I don't have any experience, but just hoping to make the right decision as a buyer. Now my current DD is an 02' Outback and my fun car is a 91' 300ZX Twin-Turbo (which is hopefully getting sold soon), so I don't have a ton of experience with smaller cars.
Yes, I too noticed that the cars are very reasonably priced, even with low miles. One of the reasons I decided to pick one up. I've always wanted a RX-7, and owning a SA/FB as a DD is the only way I can afford it right now.

I'll try to do some more research on the S1, S2, S3 to see which model appeals to me the most, but it looks like everyone just says go based on condition (unanimously), so I think I'll end up getting what's available and in good condition.

As far as I can tell all of the models (excluding the GSL-SE, which I don't want for various reasons) have manual steering and lack ABS, which I feel will probably contribute the most to the "feel" of the car, "feel" is what I'm most concerned about.

I'm just worried I'm going to like the car too much, and it's going to become my "fun" car instead of DD, so I'm trying to make sure I get what I want I guess.

 

you're preaching to the choir!

the 1st gen Rx7 is a proper sports car because it offers a connection between the driver and the car, which is why it is fun. it is also quite practical, there is a ton of cargo room, its easy to park, easy to get in and out of, in short it does normal car while being fun, and that is a mix that we just don't see very often.

it does make a great DD, i happily drove a series of 1st gens every day for more than a decade, and i've only stopped because they are kind of old (and i went bonkers with mine)

having owned ALL of the different models, and years of Rx7, they really do offer the same experience, although if weight is the enemy the 81-83 cars are the lightest, about 2330lbs stock. the 79-80's have bigger bumpers and a really heavy thermal reactor, and they are around 2420lbs. i've never weighed an 84-85 but i'd expect them to be about 2450, although the revised interior is nicer.

the 79-80 cars do offer a more disco experience, its like if in 1973 they drew what they thought a car in 1990 would be like, my friend says retro-future (miata and the FD are the same way). you can see that the Mazda guys were looking at things like the Lancia Stratos, when they penned the SA.

no 1st gens came with ABS, although power steering was available on the 84-85 GSL (and GSL-SE).

plus everyone who owns one is cool.

 

Something to think about is that contemplating an FB as a daily driver should include some thought on parts availability. My -SE has 222k miles on it, which shows that I've driven the hell out of it as a commuter for many years, but the car is now driven for fun. A quick run around mazdatrix website will show that a fair number of parts for these cars are NLA from Mazda if that's important to you to stick with OEM. For many of the small, important parts (wheel bearings, brake calipers, etc) are getting harder and harder to find.

I wouldn't let that slow down your dreams, though. I would trust my -SE as a DD today if I had to. I would also expect that a lot of the parts would need work if driven every day, however. Good luck to you, and glad to see your enthusiasm to get into one,

 

Essentially that's what I'm looking for. I really value "feel" more than anything else in a car. I'm pretty uninterested in anything made after the 90s, because for me I think they've largely lost the point.
Funny that you mention that, the Lancia Stratos has always been one of my favorite cars, I hadn't noticed it, but from the front, especially, the cars look very similar.
I'm really looking for a low mileage one (thankfully there seem to be plenty). And I plan on doing most of the work myself. I'm new to working on cars, but I hope to use this as sort of a starting point.

The FD has always been one of my favorite cars (probably in the top 10) and since then I've wanted a rotary and an RX-7 specifically. I'm relatively burned out on heavy turbo cars (my 300ZX has blown turbos) and want something that offers "feel" over all-out power.

So an SA/FB makes the most sense to me. I love the styling (I love 80s cars), and I love the lack of driver aids. I had kind of forgotten about the car until seeing a picture of the Group B version, and I thought "well if they can use it in Group B, I can drive it in the occasional snow".

Imagine driving an automatic Outback everyday - time for a change Hope to spend a lot of time learning here. Glad everyone is so welcoming and helpful.

 

the 1st gen has a huge racing pedigree, from the 24 hours of daytona, to lemans, to group B, to IMSA GTU/GTO, to bonneville, to club level racing, there is hardly a class where someone hasn't run a 1st gen.

 

Lancia? Wow.. I had an old beta and loved the driving experience.. get a later gsl the weight difference is not felt, and on a daily basis the perks are all there. Lsd, 4wdb, comfy int.. I love the hard to find power steering as well!

 

And for me a lot of appeal stems from this as well.
I've always loved Lancias and would love to own one someday. I just think they're cool, can't quite figure out what exactly it is though. I think a Montecarlo/Scorpion would be an awesome car to own, and Integrales are now legal for import. I think it'd be a challenge to keep either one running though.

 

I went through my father's docs for now my 84 GSL, and found the original window sticker.
Shipping weight - 2380
List price $14,725

 

Generally speaking, the quality of the interior parts on the GSL and GSLSE is better, especially the door panels and seats.

This means that you are more likely to find a GSL with a nice interior than a GS, which almost always have deteriorating door panels.

It also means it will be easier to find replacement interior parts for a GSL.

 

Thanks for finding that information for me. Much lighter than I was expecting, which is good.

Yea, based on the unanimous opinion that GS vs GSL have an identical driving experience, I'm just going to pick one based upon condition / miles vs be completely spec'd with whatever options.

There is a nice looking GSL a few miles from me, but owner is non-responsive to emails, so we'll see. I'll find one, at least they made a lot of these cars.

 

The cost today would be $33,635.