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I live in Norway and the rotary scene is completely different and i cannot find good advice on what to get. Here all you see are FC cabs and FBs. I'm looking for a coupe but a good cab came up and i was wondering if it's worth it considering I hear bad things about it.
Seeing as i've only got two choices right now, what would you guys recommend? An 88' S4 RX-7 cab or an 85' GSL-SE FB RX-7? Is the cab that much worse than the coupe or will I still enjoy riding it? Do any hard tops exists or should I continue waiting for an FC coupe to pop up? Cab is listed for 11.000$ and the GSL-SE goes for 10.000$.
I'd say go drive each and see which one YOU like, then go from there. They both drive different. Cabs will flex more than a hard top. The FB is lighter. The FB's GSL-SE engine is the first of the fuel injected rotory but will be similar-ish to FC S4 13B, the latter have a few more ponies.
Als, consider the condition of each car, miles, rust, etc.
But again...go for a test drive in each...see which one you fit in and enjoy driving.
I've always thought that the s4 snd s5 cab/convertibles were the best looking 2nd gen cars. I've test driven one but never owned a second gen. I've owned two 1st gens.
The cab is a heavier, but slightly more powerful car than that GSL-SE. It is a more modern car, with 4 wheel independent suspension and rack & pinion steering, so it will feel more like a modern car. And it looks very nice in that pic.
I think it depends on what you're looking for. Do you want an older, "classic" FB that is cool but harder to find parts for? Or a more comfortable, more modern cruiser you can take the top down?
As someone said, the cab is flexy, like all convertibles. And it has extra chassis bracing to minimize the flex, but that = extra weight. So the GSL-SE is the sportier one and would make a better race car. But the Cab is the more comfortable one and may be easier to live with.
As said, go drive them both. Then decide which fits you better. Good luck.
You’ll find if you want one somewhat fast, you’ll probably want at least a ported nonturbo but really a turbo engine.
I owned my s4 na coupe as my first car when I was 18 and I thought it was fast, then I stock turbo engine swapped it 3 years later and it really came alive.
Since the stock turbo swap, probably added another 50% to the horsepower with a hybrid turbo at 15 psi and supporting mods and it’s still scary enough for me. 300whp in a lightened fc becomes a lot to handle on the street.
Yeah, turbo FCs or even NA coupe FCs are quite rare here, as of right now there's only an FC NA cab available, but its the S4 one which is slower than the S5 i heard, cuz of the rear axle?
It also weighs around 1340kg..,
Always dreamt of an FD but i know realistically i'll end up with an FC of sorts. Would the S4 NA cab be faster than a 91' MR2?
S4 NA Cab will be slower than a MR2. They aren't fast stock, nor are they as fun to drive spiritedly as the lighter-weight, and stiffer coupe is. Most people who just want to toy around with it and enjoy having something unique will love the cabriolet. People who are more into having sharp handling, and enjoy driving spiritedly in the twisties will enjoy the coupe. I had a friend who owned two NA FC coupes; an S5 GTU, then later S4 GXL. Both cars were hit and totalled. He drove them very spiritedly, and enjoyed the handling. When his second coupe was totalled, he bought a cabriolet S4- and he didn't like it. He enjoyed the convertible top, and drove with the top down often, but he couldn't get over the lack of handling and acceleration.
I've never driven a cab- but I don't need to in order to know what it's like- I'll take his word for it... I have however driven several different flavors of NA FC coupes, from stock to modified.
I've driven a GSL-SE, and an '83 12A.
If I had to pick stock for stock, and my only two choices were a 12A FB and an NA FC cab, I'd pick the FB hands down.
I've even considered selling my FC GXL and trying to find a GSL-SE. They are more exciting to drive, stock-for-stock. I just can't get over the steering feel of the FC though. When set up properly, it feels really sharp and well-connected to the road. The FB's I drove always felt somewhat loose and vague in comparison. (Although this is fixable.)
If you want a fun cab to play with, or you just like the FC so much you can't wait for a coupe, the sky is the limit for modifications if you don't like the way it handles or if it's not fast enough. It just depends on what you want to spend your money on.
05-26-22, 10:22 AM
