The Mitsubishi 3000GT is an iconic 90s sports car. It’s a bold statement to call a car iconic, but even though values haven’t been skyrocketing, it is instantly recognizable as peak 90s Japanese sports / GT car manufacturing, with loads of technology, fairly wild looks, and turbochargers everywhere. In many ways, the Japanese makes were building towards this combination of tech and speed, and the 3000GT is considered by many to be the zenith of this product strategy. This is the desirable VR-4 model with twin turbos and the Active Aero package; you’ll find it listed here on craigslist for $22,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the tip. The story of the 3000GT really goes back to the Mitsubishi Starion and Chrysler Conquest twins, when the two companies decided to build a sports car together. The box flares, high-tech center stack, and 80s-fantastic looks with its pop-up headlights made for a memorable model, but not necessarily a game-changer on the sports car landscape. Along would come the next iteration of the partnership with the 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth, both of which offered a wealth of performance and tech upgrades over the base models, which were typically pretty spartan versions of the car you see here.
The 3000GT has languished a bit as other iconic 90s sports cars have taken off, failing to keep up with the likes of the Mazda RX-7 and the Acura Integra Type R. However, you are starting to see low mileage cars in stock condition command a fair price, and we just saw two examples of this in the past week: a 3000GT VR-4 Spyder with 100,000 miles sold for over $25,000, and a pristine final-year example coupe with under 30,000 miles reached $58,000 with the reserve unmet. While the last example is a no-sale, it does show the potential market strength of the right car at the right time. This example has just under 50,000 original miles and appears to be nearly stock inside and out, with all of the factory gadgetry in place.
The 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 offered a stirring 320 horsepower and 315 lb.-ft. of torque, routed through a six-speed manual and an advanced all-wheel drive system. The Active Aero Package allowed the driver to make adjustments to various splitters and spoilers that supposedly helped with downforce and handling, but it’s also a known nuisance if those expensive (and likely hard to find components) begin to fail. The seller’s asking price seems quite fair for a six-speed VR-4 coupe with low miles, and in stock condition to boot. Do you think these 3000GTs are poised to be worth more in the future?
This must be a hoot to drive!!!! I remember when these were new and thinking Mitsubishi did a nice job on them. Low miles very clean. Someone is going to have fun with this.
The fun does not last long for these lemon cars. Poor engineering, relative short life of some major components, and high costs of parts and labor. Back seats are a joke.
A friend had one with a bad clutch and couldn’t find a shop to fix it.
They all wanted thousands of dollars to do the job because they were such a PITA to work on.
The back seats in a modern Mustang & Camaro are just as bad.
Yet there’s plenty room for 4 in a tiny Pinto – go figure.
Nobody buys this for the back seat.
Proof that Mitsubishi once had a pulse.
If all the glitzy parts are working, this is a great price. As I recall, Wheeler Dealers’ Mike and Ant remediated one of these, including fixing the rear-wheel steering and wing adjusters. Didn’t look all that complicated for someone mechanically skilled (like me :-)). Good thing it’s 3K away and I have too many other projects hanging fire. One of my bucket-list cars (along with Opel GT, chrome bumper MGB, Saab Sonnet III, Volvo 1800, Jensen-Healey, RX7 convertible, 67 Pontiac LeMans convertible, 54 Chrysler NYer, 57 Chrysler 300 C, 62 Vette…among others).
If running properly, this may be underpriced. Very nice car.
Friend in Daytona had The Dodge version, white with white wheels and black interior. Same car just different badging, fender, front and rear design. I didn’t really know what it was until we went to lunch in it one day and he smoked an early 90’s Z28 at a light. Very impressive torque for a V6.
Had a 95′ years back in the same color but it wasn’t the VR4 version. Even still it was a very fast car. Didn’t have it very long and ended up trading it in, with the ABS light on, for a 99′ Jeep Cherokee. Even today I think they were very cool looking and sporty cars and have aged very well. I have heard that they could be quite a pain when it came to parts failure and maintenance costs. Mine was gone before any of that rolled around thankfully.
The belt is PIA and absolutely critical to do. As someone alluded to above about finding a shop, if you can’t work on it yourself then don’t go near one. Bunch of sensors are the same. If you can work on it yourself these can be incredible cars. In Massachusetts there is a 1/3 mile banked oval track at Seekonk Speedway. They do spectator drags where everyone brings their cars in for a two car race around the track. Around 80 cars start and go two by tow till they come up with the winner. There was a while where folks brough VR4s and nothing could touch them. All these guys brought corvettes, Firebirds, Camaros etc and nothing could touch the VR4s. Mustangs usually spun out before the final turn. If you go on youtube and search VR4 spectator drag you will see some examples
My ex-wife had a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT convertible with the V6. I’m assuming it’s pretty much the same engine as in the VR4s without the turbos. I changed the belt on it myself. Followed the book’s instructions and, while it took 3-4 hours to do, it wasn’t especially hard or complicated. You have to be very exacting and with my nature, that was easy. BTW, that was a very nice driving car and was great looking from the front. The rear view not so much..