I was under the impression that all of the 2nd Gen taillights would fit in every other 2nd Gen.... and after a recent purchase of the internet, i find myself to be wrong.

I've got an 88 GXL, it's got these taillights on it: http://mazdatrix.com/pictures/n-exter/n1-3.jpg

I'm unable to find a picture of the ones i purchased, so i'll try and explain it best i can. The only thing that was different was the length of the black part which pertrudes to the middle of the car (towards the license plate). So if i were to put these new taillights in, there would be a big gap between them and the middle part where the license plate is. (god, i hope i explained that alright)

Are these for an S5? and...
Anyone know how i can fix this or find a way where i can still use these shorter taillights?

 

Have you looked here?

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/taillights.htm

Aaron Cake has a nice write up of it.

 

No, the style isn't the problem.... it's the size of the taillight. the actual length of the assembly is shorter than mine..

 

maybe you bought the europe ones. they are shorter I think.

 

or vert tail lights, vert taillights on s5's are shorter/different than s5 coupes, im assuming its the same for s4's

 

ah... yeah they are S4 verts.

 

I think the only difference between S5 vert taillights and S5 coupe taillights is that there is a key hole for the trunk on the verts that goes through the taillights.

On http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/taillights.htm he said "If you try to fit the new tail lights in right now, you will find that they don't sit right. The reason is that the '89 style reverse light protrudes slightly too far, which interferes with the body. The simple solution to this is to clear a small space in the tail light mounting area for the reverse light."