Mitsubishi 3000gt questions

[RandomName]

I was curious if all the 3000gt's were awd. I plan on buying one I don't see any vr4's in my price range thats in fair condition. I hear some are front wheel drive with a 3 liter v6 around 218 hp not sure if its true though. I would also like some general information about the car the basic common problems to look for engine wise or interior. Please inform me if possible.

 

[Solid Fro]

Only VR4 have the AWD system. The base and SL models of the 3000GT are FWD. Check out 3si.org, it's the best resource for both the 3000GT and Stealth.

1991 through 1993

VR4 - 300 HP
SL - 222 HP
Base - 222 HP

1994 through 1996

VR4 - 320 HP
SL - 222 HP
Base - 222 HP

1997 through 1998

VR4 - 320 HP
SL - 218 HP
Base - 161 HP

1999

VR4 - 320 HP
SL - 218 HP
Base - 161 HP

 

[RandomName]

Thank you viper zero

 

[neanderthal]

wasnt there a turbo model that wasnt all wheel drive too?

 

[Emohawk]

Why did the SL and base power drop in '97? (checked the site you linked, the FAQ is broken)

 

[Solid Fro]

Yes, the GTO MR had the same 3.0 liter V6 with twin turbo as the VR4 did, but did not have the AWD system. The MR was only sold in Japan, that's why it's called the GTO MR, and not 3000GT MR.

I don't know why the horsepower drop in the base model after '97. Maybe price related?

 

[Joey D]

I would suggest checking out insurence out before you go off an start looking at cars, all to often people ask about cars and have know idea how much the insurence is going to own them. I don't know your age, but unless you are in your late 20's or over and have a great driving record, sports cars will kill your pocket book.

 

[1X83Z]

I don't know why the horsepower drop in the base model after '97. Maybe price related?

Sure you do. The engine changed.

From 1991 to 1996, the base model and SL model carried the same engine, a 222-horsepower 3-liter V6. The only differences were spec and Mitsubishi was finding this wasn't enough to inspire people to pay the difference for an SL. When the Dodge Stealth left the market after 1996, Mitsubishi seized the opportunity to take the entire spectrum (from basic to really high-priced; the VR-4 Spyder is still the most expensive non-premium Japanese car ever) and added the 161-horsepower 3-liter V6, used in the Stealth (SOHC rather than DOHC) to the base model, leaving the SL with the DOHC engine.

Needless to say, 1997-1999 base 3000GTs are slow as piss.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

A friend of mine has a 1994 3000GT SL with a 5-speed. The gear ratios make the car feel quicker than it really is, but it is not a quick car in my opinion. My Turbo T-Bird felt faster (and he even admitted to it when he drove it). If you're looking for a 3000GT, go for the VR-4 model.

A side note: though the T-Bird felt faster than the 3000GT SL, my car was in the shop every other week. His car NEVER gave him ANY problems. The exhaust sound was nice too in the SL (both in and outside of the car). Turbo sounds are better, though. Which is why you should go for the VR-4.

 

[1X83Z]

3000GT SL manual 0-60: 6.9
3000GT SL automatic 0-60: 7.2

My opinion after a lengthy AIM discussion regarding the vehicles.

 

[Azuremen]

The VR-4 is heavy as all hell though. With relatively poor gas milage, and insurance will rape you if you are young. Not a bad looking car, but probably better options out there if you want an AWD sports car, like a DSM or some Subaru.

 

[1X83Z]

The VR-4 is heavy as all hell though. With relatively poor gas milage, and insurance will rape you if you are young. Not a bad looking car, but probably better options out there if you want an AWD sports car, like a DSM or some Subaru.

Wow, that's a pretty uninformed post.

A 3000GT VR-4 weighed 3750lbs. That's not particularly heavy compared to rivals - the Supra Turbo, which everyone seems to love, weighed just under 3500lbs, the SVX weighed a shade under 3600, and the 300ZX TT split the difference, weighing in at 3550. Yes, the VR-4 was heavier, but the horsepower - 320 - counteracted this and moved the vehicle to 60mph in around 5.5 seconds.

Yes, there are better options out there, but not because it weighs 200lbs more than a 300ZX. For god's sake, a slightly heavy passenger can make up that difference.

Some Subaru? Come on.

 

[RandomName]

insurance isn't a problem I already own two cars and work full time with an electrical company as a journeysman. I'm restoring a 35th anniversary supercoupe thats paid off and I just wanna garage it and slowly build on it and my other car is a 94 mustang gt, I just want sumthin to replace my supercoupe as another driving option and from the looks of it the 3000gt isn't what i was lookin for after reading the specs. fwd=teh sux .

 

[super cirrus]

I love the vr4's and always wanted one. Unfortunatly, Im way to tall to drive one comfortably.

 

[Azuremen]

Wow, that's a pretty uninformed post.

A 3000GT VR-4 weighed 3750lbs. That's not particularly heavy compared to rivals - the Supra Turbo, which everyone seems to love, weighed just under 3500lbs, the SVX weighed a shade under 3600, and the 300ZX TT split the difference, weighing in at 3550. Yes, the VR-4 was heavier, but the horsepower - 320 - counteracted this and moved the vehicle to 60mph in around 5.5 seconds.

Yes, there are better options out there, but not because it weighs 200lbs more than a 300ZX. For god's sake, a slightly heavy passenger can make up that difference.

Some Subaru? Come on.

Actually, it is an informed post. I know its weight, that qualifies as heavy to me. Excellent assumption on your part of understanding what heavy is in my mind though. 👍

3000 lbs is heavy to me, 2500 lbs is fine, and I prefer closer to 2000 lbs for a sports car. My MR2 weighs 2200 lbs, thats a light car to me. My Corolla is normal at 2600 lbs. Yes, my dads SVX feels heavy to me, so something that actually is heavier than it is gonna be heavy as well.

Personally, Mitsubishi is LOW on my list of quality cars. Subaru is much better for overall quality.

However, why am I arguing with you, we tend to completely disagree on everything. You despite the cars I like, and vice versa.

That, and VR-4's still maintain their value very well. Which makes them a PITA to buy. A turbo Talon/Ecplise AWD can be made to go a hell of alot faster for not much money.

 

[Dave A]

Fair enough that thats your opinion on what a heavy car is, but theres comapritivley not many sports cars around the 2000lbs mark as opposed to 3000lb sports cars. Your cutting out cutting edge cars from all over the world like the Skylines, Corvettes, Mustangs ect. 2000lbs by the way is just over 909kgs, 2500lbs is just over 1136kg's, 3000lbs is just over 1363kg's, hardly heayweight in the vehicle world when supercars can regularly weigh around this.

 

[1X83Z]

Actually, it is an informed post. I know its weight, that qualifies as heavy to me. Excellent assumption on your part of understanding what heavy is in my mind though. 👍

Fine - the car itself is heavy. What about the horsepower and handling? Have you driven a 3000GT VR-4? It feels like it weighs about as much as a Miata when you mash the gas. I drove a VR-4 Spyder not long ago - it's fast. And those were probably lots heavier than the coupes.

Personally, Mitsubishi is LOW on my list of quality cars. Subaru is much better for overall quality.

And exactly which Subaru is going to beat a 3000GT VR-4 anywhere? I love the SVX, but even though it made the most non-turbo power of any "rival" (300ZX, Stealth, Supra, 3000GT), it was also by far the heaviest. And there was no turbocharged version available in the US. Hell, there wasn't even a manual available in the US.

If Mitsubishi is so low on your list of quality cars why would you recommend against a 3000GT for an even older Mitsubishi that's known for its poor reliability?

 

[Azuremen]

Because its lighter and can be made faster. And are cheaper.

It really depends on the kind of car he wants. There are not a whole lot of AWD Turbo cars out there that don't weigh a ton. Thats part of the nature of AWD cars though. A fun AWD car, though not in the same mega power area, is the Celica All-Trac. There isn't a grand alternative to the VR-4 that has similar power and styling. The SVX would be my choice for an AWD luxury coupe, depsite the lack of a manual tranny (Though one can be swapped in, but at a price of course).

In response to the VR-4 feeling like a Miata when you mash the gas, does it feel and turn as well as a Miata?

Live4Speed, you do realize is dislike the Skyline a ton? Along with the Mustang, and the Vette not as much, but not on my list of cars I want.

The only new cars I really want are the Lotus Elise and the MR2 Sypder. Yeah.

 

[Quick_Nick]

The only new cars I really want are the Lotus Elise and the MR2 Sypder. Yeah.
In response to the VR-4 feeling like a Miata when you mash the gas, does it feel and turn as well as a Miata?

Do you just post here to preach your preferences of roadsters over grand touring cars? Its AWD & AWS gives it almost neutral handling, so I would much prefer it over a Miata, even though Miatas are fine sports cars too.

Well anyway, I own a VR4 & after a long tiring day nothing beats sitting in those wide leather bucket seats as they massage my back & accelerating with authority down the open moonlit road. Seriously, VR4s are very fast a hell. The VR4 has a way of making every other equally fast car from its time look extremely spartan & it also makes better equipped cars seem slow in comparison. I very much recommend buying one. One of the disadvantages of the 3000GT is the maintenance. Any serious problem would be way too complicated for an amateur like me to fix. At least parts are easy to find.

 

[Azuremen]

Nope Nick, I don't. I also don't have a roadster preference. I could car less if those cars had hardtops or not. Actually, I would prefer hardtops on them both. I do have a bias towards lightweight cars, that is true. Though I wouldn't mind having an IS300, which is neither a coupe nor roadster. And is heavy.

4WD and 4WS may make the car feel neutral. However, I'd like to see it out perform a Miata at an autocross event.

Back to subject, VR-4 = Plushie highway cruiser/sport car. And something I remember about Mitsubishi is transmission issues. So that would be something I would look out for.