2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
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View Poll Results: What combination do you think looks best
Keep it stock
4
16.67%
Shave the door handles
5
20.83%
Keep Series 4 black rub strips (1986-1988)
0
0%
Get some Series 5 body colored rub strips (1989-1992)
5
20.83%
Shave the rub strips when you get it repainted
14
58.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

I need your opinion on whether to keep rub strips (side moldings) and shaved handle

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Old 02-12-02, 07:04 PM
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Question I need your opinion on whether to keep rub strips (side moldings) and shaved handle

So what do you think
Which do you like most, with/without handles, and with/without moldings.


Here is RX-7 Addicts car which I used for photoshop frankensteining. My car will be a red Series 4 Turbo II so it will look the same pretty much


Here is it with rub strips and handles shaved


Here is both handles and rub strips shaved (bad photoshop job on rub strips)


Here is just the strips with handles.


So what is your honest opinion?
And remember to vote on multiple polls if more than one suits you

Last edited by Node; 02-12-02 at 07:14 PM.
Old 02-12-02, 07:17 PM
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how the hell do ya get into the car without handles
Old 02-12-02, 07:17 PM
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if i had a s4 i would definately shave the mouldings, i just think it looks bad having big black stripes down your (insert color) car.

and if you are shaving and repainting, take off everything else you dont want (ie. antenna, spoiler, sidemarkers, etc...)
Old 02-12-02, 07:22 PM
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Originally posted by nashman69g
how the hell do ya get into the car without handles
there are electric poppers, giant solenoids. Theyre battery powered and hooked up to a remote and maybe your alarm if you have an extra button, there is a button or something to pull on the bottom of your car in emergencies
Old 02-12-02, 07:24 PM
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Originally posted by jeff_oner
if i had a s4 i would definately shave the mouldings, i just think it looks bad having big black stripes down your (insert color) car.

and if you are shaving and repainting, take off everything else you dont want (ie. antenna, spoiler, sidemarkers, etc...)
Yeah, I'll take off sidemarkers and spoilers and stuff, and have them paitned seperately, so it looks good and i can remove them without ******* up paint, I'm probly gonna get a S5 spoiler, my car doesnt have one of those either ha ha.
So far I have my opinions but I'd like to hear everyone elses
Old 02-12-02, 07:26 PM
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Leave the door handles and yank the moldings. They are *** ugly on both S4 and S5 cars...
Old 02-12-02, 07:29 PM
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I like it better with the handles and molding .... but either way looks good
Old 02-12-02, 07:35 PM
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Node
I have been away from the forum except for very brief peeks... For a minute I thought you had actually gone out and purchased a Rex.

For my two cents worth...Either paint the moldings the color of the body, or lose them...Paint the mirrors and spoiler to match as well. Keep the door handles. You are screwed big time as far as getting into your car if you have electrical troubles. This can really pose a safety hazard in some instances following a wreck. Rescuers may be locked out of your car and you may be locked in. Just something to think about.
Old 02-12-02, 07:40 PM
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the handles are already flush on the FC and look good. I like the series 5 moldings over the 4. if 4 I'd take them off.
Old 02-12-02, 07:41 PM
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The car looks hot without handles, but I would leave them anyway.
Old 02-12-02, 07:47 PM
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here are some pictures of mazda2ndgen's car with shaved moldings he did himself, had it painted black too, real big difference.



Last edited by Node; 02-12-02 at 08:01 PM.
Old 02-12-02, 08:03 PM
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yeah, you guys are all going towards my view, keep handles, ditch the moldings. Hell thats one less cost (my car doesnt have any :\ )
Old 02-12-02, 08:26 PM
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what about getting that crease thing on the scoop filled in? thats what i wanna do
Old 02-12-02, 09:39 PM
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I like the crease
Old 02-12-02, 09:40 PM
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Wow, RX-7 does look alot more like a 944 w/ filled in side mouldings. People are always telling me 944 and FCs look just alike but I never thought they were that close til that pic. Not necessarily a bad thing. I don't mind the beltline the S4 have; '80s yes, but thats what the car is.
Old 02-12-02, 09:41 PM
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Dude take my word for it, shaved handles are cool looking but they are big time no no, in case of electric malfunction, guess how you get in? Break the glass... And after a few years they look like ****... Put some $$$'s into some bad *** wheels

Nice car too I might add....
Old 02-12-02, 09:41 PM
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HOT CAR

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Old 02-12-02, 09:46 PM
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Originally posted by MIKE-P-28
Dude take my word for it, shaved handles are cool looking but they are big time no no, in case of electric malfunction, guess how you get in? Break the glass... And after a few years they look like ****... Put some $$$'s into some bad *** wheels

Nice car too I might add....
Yeah, but there are emergency switch/pull for it under your car or somewhere on your car just in case, but hell, handles can stay i guess

Originally posted by Rx-7Addict
HOT CAR

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Old 02-12-02, 10:22 PM
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NODE—

Did you find a car that your gonna buy? Congrats! I know people have been busting on you for a while. In regards to shaving—keep it all stock. If you're gonna restore it that is. It'll be more valuable if you upgrade later on.

RXSE7EN
Old 02-12-02, 10:24 PM
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No battery juice left? I can EASILY get back into the car through the hatch using my key.

Exit might be a problem in an emergency, just drive with the windows down so the fireman can reach in and let you out. ;-)

I'd always wondered what it'd REALLY look like to lose the body line. Not sure how I feel now...I'd imagine with a widebody kit it'd look great.

Going for either NO rub strips in the groove or 89+trim for mine, I think... Or a combination, we'll see. (no strip between the wheels on each side)
Old 02-12-02, 10:25 PM
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rxse7en, yeah I found one, going to get it this week

faster7, you have pics of your car?
Old 02-12-02, 10:39 PM
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Node,

Dude you have been on here long enough to know my feelings on this: If it doesn't make it faster, why bother? Now... REMOVING the moldings and keeping the "gap" that they fit into makes the car lighter... filling that same gap makes it heavier than the moldings did. Besides, that is some EXPENSIVE body work to have done right.

You say yours doesn't have any? Ok... leave them off for now... who cares about the moldings? If you think the black "stripe" effect of the moldings is too "80's" then get them sprayed in the same color as the body. Filling them will both cost a lot and make it heavier. Ditto for the handles being shaved. Leave the body stock, do mods that matter. You can get some SWEET lightweight wheels for a lot less than the cost of EITHER of those mods. Same for the exhaust.

Brad
Old 02-12-02, 10:50 PM
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yeah,i would say,keep the door handles,and loose the molding.what's the concences on shaving the molding's?....just fill'er up with bondo or weld in a piece of sheet metal?i guess the later would be better,less added weight,but a whole lot more time consuming...i guess i figuered i'd just go down and get a few gallons of bondo
~d
Old 02-12-02, 10:54 PM
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First off, I care about looks of my car so I'm gonna shove something in there, why not be different and shave em if you like the look which I do, but I don't have any to start off with. If I can get some cheap (I mean cheap) then I will, cause I'm gonna have it painted no matter,
Plus I'll most likely do all the body work myself (except painting the paint and clearcoat, dunno about primer)
Old 02-12-02, 10:56 PM
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no bondo, bondo will look like crap in a few years, so im gonna get, erm i think its fiberglass boat filler or something, its what mazda2ndgen used, ill have to talk to some bodyworking guys about this.
time to check mazdatrix for prices on s5 rub strips just in case


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