We’ve all seen pictures by now of the salvage yard on the West Coast that clearly socked away every wrecked Porsche 356 to end up totaled from the 1960s onwards. It makes you wonder if you have the means and the space if it’s worth collecting modern exotics that might similarly end up in demand. That’s the thought that runs through my head with this totaled 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Spyder here on eBay, with an opening bid of $3,750.
The hit television show Wheeler Dealers just lightly restored a 3000GT, although that was a complete car with no accident damage. Still, the point was made that these were one of Japan’s major supercars of the early 90s and are very affordable when thought of as a future collector car. The Spyder version, although perhaps less desirable, was the ultimate expression of 90s excess, with a folding hard top in addition to the laundry list of performance-enhancing features made standard on these Mitsubishis.
The 3000GT was a monster on the quarter-mile, capable of pulling down 13 second run at 105+ m.p.h. The Spyder was likely a tick slower, due to the heavier weight of the folding top, so the presence of the manual transmission really does make this the ultimate 3000GT sold stateside. The twin-turbocharged 24v V6 was the heart and soul behind the 3000GT VR4, and the seller claims this example still ran even after its brutal 40 m.p.h. impact. He’s not incorrect that there’s a ton of value here in parts, but right now, it’s just a salvage car.
When you look at the pictures of those Porsche 356s stacked four rows high in a desert-like environment, many of us think of how tempting it would be to rebuild the car back to new. In the 1970s, all anyone saw was parts value – which is why it’s brilliant that the yard owner had the foresight to sock away any wrecked exotics of the era. This 3000GT would be among the assets I’d store if I had the space and ability to wait 40 years for a return on my investment, but it’s far more likely this car will help a currently running/driving example remain on the road.
It looks as though in 20+ years this sport will not be what it is today and collecting cars may be something of the past. Of course some of the very rare and historically relevant vehicles may still be of value but with how the newer generation of young-uns view cars, I doubt this sport will be alive and well in 2040. I personally hope this is not the case.
To be fair, in 20 years everything will be all electric and capable of doing 0 – making you brown yourself in less than 3 seconds. While the scene itself might not be the same, you can bet there will always be enthusiasts that find fun in nostalgia in one form or another, and barnfinds will still be a thing. :)
It’s sad to see F1 screaming around with nothing more than a whistle. I will not dispute the speed of electric vehicles but the pure joy and thrill of hearing that rumble is much of the fun for most of us older guys. Electric does nothing for me. I don’t know if we’ll ever get completely off of oil based fuels, it’s too integrated into our society but I can see places like Comifornia and that NY passing laws outlawing gas powered vehicles.
The run of the mill electric car isn’t fast. Electric cars show up at the local track on Wednesday nights on a semi regular basis, only the Tesla would be considered fast. The Chevy bolt, that’s a 16 second car, I’ve never seen a Nissan Leaf run. They’ve had a few electric bikes, those can be fast.
It’s all about price points, generic commuter cars will always be utilitarian, just like their gas power brothers, they will be boring no matter what.
Steve R
I think folks could do better for the price. They’re out there.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/gt-vr4-low-miles/6420351750.html
https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1991-mitsubishi-3000gt-vr4/6408036030.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/1992-mitsubishi-3000gt/6400914899.html
It’s not worth the $6,900 BIN price. Someone would be better off spending more on a nice car.
Is this car exotic enough to be stashed away for several decades? Probably not. Definatley not at the asking price.
Steve R
I see some long time ROI but the asking price is really high for the amount of work required. For the naysayers to collectabilty, I see it, when is the last time you saw a clean Impulse turbo, or 280zx turbo? They are out there, but are getting rare as hens teeth.
And how is this a Barn Find?
The spirit of the law not the letter of the law. This is a site of cars that are for sale the staff decide what makes these pages. I appreciate all of the submissions even if I don’t care about all of the submissions.
I actually used to own one of these so I do care about the specific car, but this is just a junk car not a project/barn find/original. All you could use it for is a donor car. It isn’t even salvageable.
@Erik S: I think you may have missed the whole theme of Jeff’s write-up.
If a rusted out and wrecked 356 sells for big dollars AND it gets restored, then why not something like this damaged 3000GT in the years to come ?
Because this mass-produced Japanese appliance has no visceral appeal and it will never have the legendary status of a 356, that’s why not. As a wise man once said “No one writes songs about Japanese cars”. Great performance and quality, but they just aren’t exciting (IMO)
Some cars should have a “SIN” price. “Scrap It Now”
These were really a great idea on paper. Sexy lines, turbocharged V6, AWD. Sadly, it was executed by Mitsubishi, a brand not known for quality or great engineering, and when new they were a hoot, but in my experience they break – often – and generally catastrophically. This one, though? Priced close to 3X its value and really a poor example of a parts car.
Mike H, What a joke. It is made by Mitsubishi a brand not known for quality? Please get out from under a rock.
I frequent the strip (quarter mile) and numerous MITSUBISHI Evolution’s you know the little Lancer looking 2.0 AWD sedan? They are running 800 and above horsepower on a stock drive train. Doesn’t sound like an engineering issue.
Next time in the bone yard look at any Mitsu and most likely it already has 200K plus miles. Mitsu’s don’t have any resale value and because of that those without any credit often end up with them. Can’t fault the cars for their owners negligence for even routine maintenance.Besides everything mistreated will break.
Everyone but Jeff is missing the point. This is a rare Spyder 3000 GT. I see his point in getting it and putting it away. It may not be worth vintage Porsche money but defiantly worth saving.
They are great cars, but, like Jag V12’s, cost a lot to keep going. Almost bought one, guy had stripped off the turbos, said it made it far more practical, and although slower, fast enough for anything you could do in LA traffic. Had been parked outside for a number of years and clear coat was pealing off. And a Dr. friend had the MOPAR equivalent, no real issues with it but routine maintenance was expensive, he ended up with a Porsche Carrera.
I agree these cars are visually interesting but they were an also ran when compared to the likes of the 300zx TT, Supra, and RX-7. These are porky cars that feel every bit of their weight when behind the wheel. Plus, in non-VR4 trim they were front wheel drive and slow.
I don’t see these as being classics when there are so many other wonderful Japanese cars from the same era like the above mentioned, Honda CRX, ITR, NSX, and early versions of the WRX and EVO.
Yeah I remember when they came out, I thought wow that is a nice design to admire from the curb and perhaps behind the wheel. The Conquest sort of made it a possible upgrade. It fell into the same line as the 86-90 ish Toyota Supras of similar size just not durability. I do not see this line of cars occupying the same space or desirability as 240-280Z’s, RX7’s, Supras or NSX’s. Hey I would rather have that Mazda 626 we saw last week. This on a good day is nothing more than a 1200 parts car for someone who really needs them.