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Solano Black Pearl Halo: 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

When I was a little kid, my dad told me that in the 1990s he almost bought a brand new Mitsubishi 3000GT, but for one reason or another never bought one. My friend from college drove a 3000GT in high school and regrettably sold it before he went to college. I myself have been fond of these cars for a few years, but finding one in decent shape is like trying to find the proverbial needle in the haystack. This 1997 3000GT not only is in perfect condition, it is optioned with much-desired VR4 Turbo option. Find it here on eBay in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with reserve not met.

Regarded as one of the five halo Japanese sports cars of the 1990s, the 3000GT came about thanks to the Mitsubishi HSR and HSX concepts from the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. Sold as the GTO in Japan, it was marketed in the United States as the 3000GT (starting in 1990) and the Dodge Stealth (starting in 1991). Built to compete with Honda’s NSX, Mazda’s Cosmo, Nissan’s 300ZX and R34 GT-R, Subaru’s SVX, and Toyota’s Supra, the 3000GT was Mitsubishi’s halo model and featured standard amenities such as full-time AWD, four-wheel steering, automatically-adjustable front and rear spoilers, selectable exhaust modes, and Electronically-controlled suspension. This particular car is a second-generation model, which featured a new bumper built to accommodate projector-beam headlights and small, projector-beam fog lights, and modified hood, side air-vents, and rear bumper. Though it does not boast the tunable exhaust-modes, ECS, and adjustable spoilers from the first and early second-generation cars, this car is the top-model (for the United States) VR4 Turbo. With the exception of the front bumper and front passenger fender, the paint on this car is largely original and looks attractive and mean in black. The factory wheels were recently rechromed and shod with new tires. Though there are slight imperfections in the paint, this may be the nicest 3000GT in existence. I would remove and store the factory wheels and swap a set of ROTA five-spoke wheels on and leave everything else alone exterior-wise.

Since this car is a top-model VR4 turbo, the powertrain is a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 and a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. Rated at 320 horsepower, a stock VR4 was capable of a 13-second quarter-mile on the dot. This car has only traveled 64,109 miles in its twenty-year lifespan, and benefits from a new timing belt and water pump 4,000 miles ago. Overall, the engine and its compartment are nearly spotless, and the drivetrain has been maintained regularly, driving essentially like a new car. Service records dating back to early 1998 are also included with the purchase of the car.

Much like the rest of the car, the interior is in like-new condition and looks great in tan leather and black. The seats are devoid of any weathering and are said to be “clean and supple”. The contrasting black dash is also in amazing shape, with no bubbles or cracks. There is a little bit of wear on the shift knob, and an aftermarket boost gauge is mount on the windshield pillar, but overall the interior looks brand-new and even boats its original radio and CD changer. Overall, this car is almost perfect mechanically and cosmetically and, if bought at the right price, would be perfect to cruise around in on nice days and ideal to take to Cars and Coffee events. What are your thoughts on this clean halo?

Comments

  1. Avatar Ronnie Mund

    Oh yeah 😈

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  2. Avatar John D.

    We took in a 92 or 93 3000GT with the SL trim that had very low miles and all the equipment including the automatic. I took it home once and decided it should have a 5 speed. Since the used car manager put too much money into the deal for it, it became sales proof and sat. As it was my practice to snag all the sports cars I could to drive, I began driving it so I could “depreciate” it and realize some value. I went to an auction about 90 minutes away on a regular basis and when I got there in an hour, I learned its true value was as a good GT car good for high speed touring and I was sad when we actually sold it. Not only was it gone, but we lost money to sell it.

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  3. Avatar sparkster

    These were way ahead of their time. I looked for a low mileage in So Cal a few months ago. Impossible to find one with low miles and not abused. For nice price.

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  4. Avatar ALFONSO MIRELES

    I’m a proud and only owner of a 99 VR4, it was the last one at my local Mitsubishi dealer. And I can say that the car it has been very good to me. Never has ask for anything besides it’s regular maintenance. And I’m planing on keeping it until I drop or the car does.

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  5. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Not sure how this fits the Barn Find theme?

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    • Avatar grant

      While I love the car I have to agree.

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    • Avatar Tuco

      It’s a hard to find car in the condition it’s in. There would be nothing to write or read about if they all had to be found in a barn.

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      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        I like the car Tuco, but when a 1997 almost perfect ride comes along I do not associate it with something related to Barn Finds. I understand that they are all not in barns anymore. Today I caught a glimpse of an early Mustang in a garage needing resto. I understand that MITCHELL GILDEA is new here, perhaps he does not understand the concept. And the last couple days have had a number of later model rigs that I am not interested in. Not a threat, but if it continues I will spend more time at The Old Motor. Take care and thanks for your input, Mike.

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    • Avatar Moe

      Yeah.. I agree

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    • Avatar Pa Tina

      I think it fits in based on the fact that BF readers appreciate nice cars. This is a nice car and a late 1990’s high-tech time capsule.

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  6. Avatar Morgan E Dunn

    Definitely a 90s unicorn and a fantastic car. Very versatile this car can compete in a wide variety of events from autocross to drag strip to road course and more. And yes we have a crew that gathers with our 3000GTs at Caffeine & Octane. We’re proud of our 1995 VR-4.

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  7. Avatar Kent Morris

    I understand the concern about this example’s pristine condition being showcased in BF, but it does fit the narrative of a desirable vehicle difficult to find in today’s market. VR4s are easier to preserve than resurrect; it took me several barn searches to find this one-owner ’91 and a lot of money to be made right.

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    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      Very pretty car Kent! Any photos of her in that barn?

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      • Avatar Kent Morris

        Unfortunately I don’t.

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      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        Its got to be a rocket ship. I would love a ride in one. Can you tell me if the brake vents are functional? I am going to have to do some research on these rigs, never saw one. Thanks.

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      • Avatar Kent Morris

        The other bulges, bumps and vents are functional, but the rear strakes are not. Those are there as a visual reference to the Ferrari Testarossa. The car is complicated in VR4 trim, but it was years ahead of its time. If maintenance has been done by the book, you can feel good about buying one. In fact, Mitsubishi fixed the transfer case on my ’91 last year under warranty. That was impressive!

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  8. Avatar Dt 1

    I remember those cars in the late 1990s they will all over the place now they like dinosaurs

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  9. Avatar Mark

    We used to live in Raleigh, NC. For some reason Mitsubishi sold a ton of these around there. But as any 3000GT-savvy hot shoe will know, the VR-4 is the one to own. Night and day difference from the na version.

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  10. Avatar PAPERBKWRITER

    So it didn’t come out of 15 year storage covered in horse dung. If you
    are a car person you appreciate EVERYTHING these guys post…This car has seen a lot of love but IMO, overpriced at 20k.

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  11. Avatar Hollis Erns

    I just have to say that you all have beautiful 3KGT’S , it’s really an amazing work of art,I mean they run on sensors and relays,I’m a First Generation owner can’t part with her,120 mph on the highway at night in the rain was stupid but she handled like a dream..thanks for letting me share

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  12. Avatar PRA4SNW

    The day I picked up my new Eclipse, the dealership had their first 3000GT on the showroom floor in the same color (blue) as my Eclipse. It really caught my eye and thought that I was making a mistake buying the Eclipse. I stuck with my decision, and the car was a lot of fun.

    There is a nice blue 3000GT that I see occasionally, and it is still a head-turning car.

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  13. Avatar Mark-A

    Please note that the Aftermarket wheels you mentioned are 6 Spoke NOT a 5 Spoke design.

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  14. Avatar bob

    my 1992 vr4 40k miles

    Like 0

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