I now own both a '90 GTU and a '89 GXL. The GXL has the nice luxuries meanwhile the GTU is light and quick so my question is this. I know my GXL has the better brakes and better suspension would that make it a better car to modify? My plan is to build one stripped down performance car and one driveable daily car. The GTU is bone stock (white) and the GXL has intake, straight pipe, light flywheel, and a TII drivetrain. It seems the GXL is sitting on a better chassis but the GTU is much more agile and even though its stock keeps pace with the modded GXL (with a 3.90 rear). So which car would make a better platform for a racer. Not serious race but a weekend drag and SCCA car that I can still take out on the streets.

 

I personally would keep the GXL as the daily beater for the simple reasons of power windows, AAS, etc etc.

Strip the GTU, and start with it. Yeah, you could strip the GXL since its already got the 4 caliper brakes, but meh, your choice.

Nothing wrong with a GTU daily beater though

 

IMO the GTU would be the better platform to create a "racer" with. The GXL in stock form would be the better daily driver. GTU, is already lighter, and many of the performance enhancements you quote with the GXL, can be done much better with todays aftermarket equipment, than what came equiped on the GXL. The GXL is/was designed to be a more "comfortable" version of the RX-7... thus, a better daily driver.

 

if you've got the t2 drivetrain in the gxl.. I'd think to build up around that, instead of having to reinforce the weak n/a drivetrain

 

Well some more details. I took the GTU out and with year old gas and crappy oil and plug wires the thing hauls ***. I mean it easily beats my GXL. The car so needs a tune up and it cruises. The GXL has more stopping power for sure but thats all I can think of that the GTU can't top. The TII trans in my GXL needs to be rebuilt and isn't as smooth as the GTU but it has a brand new clutch and light flywheel so its more responsive. Here's the real kick in the pants. I picked up a 1990 GTU with 98k (28k on rebuilt motor) with not a single ding or dent just a flaky paint job for $800.

 

I ******* HATE YOU!!!!



I picked up my 89 GTU, with a S4 motor w/ 28K miles on it, 80K on chassis, with a few dings/scratches... for $4K!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't care, I'm still happy no matter what

 

If yours was that color when you got it I'd say nice, that's a very pretty blue. I have a GXL myself, so I say build up the GXL dammit. I might be biased though...

 

I really can't afford this habit so I can only buy what is a killer deal. The car had sat for a while and was filthy but after a few mile drive to get rid of the smoke and old gas it runs like a champ with a perfect idle and doesn't have trouble starting like my GXL. Don't worry redneck. Your car is much nicer than both of mine. It was horribly filthy and smelled like old lady but it had a new CD player also. It runs soooo smooth and all I need to do is put the mandatory cone filter and straight pipe along with a tune up.