Terrh

iTrader: (7)

Sooooo, I was driving around Tilbury today, when I spotted, in some tall grass (ach!) a decent shape 1985 GSL... spoke with the owner. He says it runs, but battery is dead, he'll have it going for me when I stop by monday after school.
The Good: within the last two years, it's got a new rad, clutch, brakes, plugs, etc. CHEAP... he might be willing to both take my fiero and give me money too! but we'll see.. If not, what's a good price to offer?
1985 GSL, grey. Tint, sunroof, 5spd disk brakes on all 4 (this means posi, right?)

The bad: 240,000KM... will a rotary still be allright at this stage in its life? how about power wise? it's a 12a/4bbl.

the ugly: RUST! gah. I hate rust with a passion. There's some around both rear fender wells, a small hole in the door, and a little bit underneath. It looks fixable, but I'm not sure how cheaply. I'm going to get it up on a lift, and if its too rusty, forget about it.



This is good, because it looks like my financing on the AE fell through, I need something to drive, and I think this will make a perfect rally beater project car for the winter.

How are n/a rotaries on gas? What should I look for when I test drive it on monday? with 240,000KM, will it still lay a patch?

peejay

It probably couldn't spin the tires stock. 240,000km is 150k miles which is what mine has. Still runs great Of course it depends on the previous owners, of course...

For fuel economy expect about (converting to metric in my head) about 16-11 l/100km.

It doesn't have Posi - it has limited slip - only Chevys have "Posi"

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

true, but, aside from my POS honda, I've owned 'merican cars all my life... heheheh

and ANYTHING will spin the tires stock if it's got a manual tranny and a decent clutch

What should I look for on the test drive? Is there a decent buyers guide around? (I searched, couldn't find one)


ALSO: Anyone on this forum rally one of these?

Blitz0309

I'd say go for it. I found mine in a junkyard with the tirewells rusted out. Got it for 350, runs fine. Of course, now i just wish i could have the cash so i could really start to have fun with it... *grin*

jeremy

iTrader: (1)

there was a thread on rallying a little while ago. i wanted to (rallied in a camry and wrx) but bought one with a bodykit and didn't feel like removing, installing, removing.........

82transam

iTrader: (18)

FB's will spin the tires (or tire like my one-wheeled wonder ) quite nicely. I've left a few good marks. Nothing compared to my TA but still quite impressive for such a low hp/torque rating. As far as gas mileage goes, it's about 20/25 mpg (so whatever that is in metric) As far as a test drive is concerned just make sure everything works like it's supposed to. I know that seems trivial but it's true. Make sure the engine runs pretty consistantly up to redline (yes redline it in at least two gears on your test drive, I'm not joking) I'm pretty sure there aren't any guides for a car this old. As far as the rust goes, the rear wheel well, or "compartment rust" can be found on almost every FB (escpecially form places with an actual winer) I personally haven't fixed mine yet, but many of the other members have and can help you on that. 150k isn't *that* bad for a 12a, they can, and have, lasted over 200k. Good luck man, I love mine, it's a blast. Peace

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

hehehe
as people who have driven with me know, I have no problem going to the redline and beyond...

Disk brakes = limited slip, right?
What's it worth? (150,000 miles, fair condition, some rust)

How much trouble can I expect when trying to get it to pass emmissions?

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

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Terrh

iTrader: (7)

bump.... anyone?

V8kilr

yes it has the LSD

but unlike the GSL-SE it does not have

the higher 4.10 gear ratio
air oil cooler
bigger brakes
vented rear brakes
bigger sway bars
and of course an RE-EGI

FOr what it sounds like since i have no idea what it looks like but can imagine since im in michigan which is right below you,
im guessing it wouldnt go for more then $1,000 on the open market,

I wouldnt pay more then $750.00 since it has been sitting and sounds like the rust is more of a problem then you know yet


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is one area you have to check really good,

go in front of the REAR wheels and put your hand in the wheel well

there is a main bracket in front of the rear wheels,

push it and see if it is rusted through

if you can poke through WALK AWAY

it is far to much trouble to rebuild the wheel wells,
and the bracket is a main rear end bracket on both sides,

they will break off or just turn to dust once you get the Hp up to 110 or more ,if they have started rusting through

I had to rebuild them on two of my 1st gens and its a pain in the *** and can only be sucessfull after soem good welding experience

drewroman

not seeing it myself, I'd say somewhere between $500-$1250 USD (I know that's a big range but... *shrug* I haven't seen it) I'd probably start him off REALLY low, I'm not a big fan of rust either

Limited-slip rear and 4-wheel discs are standard on '85 GSL's

For milage I get anywhere between 18-26 mpg (wish I got that in my FD... )

as far as emissions, you shouldn't have any problem as long as everything is running the way it's supposed to, but that depends on how stringent the test is too. I just took one of my '85 GSL's for testing in Maryland and it passed with flying colors, (has 186,000 miles on the original engine)

my personal best on the original engine has been 235,000 miles ('85 GSL/12a) and I'm sure it had been abused (I mean not maintained by abused) by the owner(s) before I rescued it at 100,000 miles

If you're looking for a fun/cheap ride you probably can't go wrong with a 1st gen, they're kind of like drugs though... I bought my first RX-7 about 10 years ago and haven't owned anything else since!

good luck with it if you get it

drew
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smackfu.net

Wattz

Mine had 220,000 miles when I bought it, and then the tranny (which has been in the car since it was born) went out.

The engine had been rebuilt... So you've got maybe 70,000 miles to go before that GSL will start falling apart... Unless you're mean to it. `,=o/