3000GT Twin Turbo

[EugeneYu]

Today I drove a 93 3000GT twin turbo at a local dealer. woo, that thing is reeeeally fast, especially at high rpm. Didn't try out how it handles on tight corners and twisty road. Just checked spec, it has 300 hp and 4 wheel drive.
Anyone has comments on this car? Or know more about this car?

Dealer ask $6500 for it which has worn seats and needs four new 17 inch tires.
Almost forget 105k miles.

Eugene

[stray15]

I think those cars, as well as, Stealth have problems with something and it can only be fixed at dealers. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944

My Photo Page
My Home Page

[JH924S]

I was just reading stuuf about that car 2day. pretty sick all wheel drive, all wheel steering, electronically controlled suspension and electronically controlled front and rear spoilers. the last one might be for the newer ones though.

[Rollins]

Mitsu's are nice looking cars, but they have a terrible reputation in terms of their reliability. I've never owned or driven one, but these are just things I have heard. I personally would like a 3000 GT VR4, but I need a reliable car. I'd check it out further if I were you. Find out about the reliability issue.

[Macabre]

Curb weight: 3803lbs

If you want a japanese hotrod.. check out the 300ZX TT and MkIV Supra TT. Won't find a good one for $6500, and they're pretty heavy too, but not nearly as bad as the VR4.

------------------
'86 951 Graphite Metallic/Tan

[ribs]

the 3KGT VR4's (GTO's) are fat fat bastards. I think they weigh close to or over 4000 pounds dry. They will never be nimble, but you can probably drive it in the snow, and there is a fair amount of aftermarket for them. Chips and a boost controller will get you about 60 or 70 more HP, and there is a lot of stuff that can be done to that motor. Blackfoot owns a 3KGTVR4...you should ask him what he thinks of it. I think it is a cool car, but I have driven both my 951 and a VR4 hard and the 951 will hand the VR4's ass back to it on a platter when you hit the twisties. $6500 is a pretty good deal so long as it is in good mechanical shape...if you do end up going for it, make sure you get a PPI.

One more thing...are the non VR4 3000GT's front or rear wheel drive? Somebody told me they were front wheel drive, and I laughed at the notion...somebody set me straight.

------------------
ribs, 86' 951
My gallery

[EugeneYu]

It was vr4. I just did some comparsion check. (See following URL) Both 928 and 951 are lighter than the vr4. Considering Porsche and Mits, I know how 951 and 928 handels and the cost of maintainess. Plus the brand name - P vs. M. I doubt I want to get into this vr4.

What do you guys think?

Eugene

http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/choose.asp?trim1=8995&trim2=10892&year1=1993&year2=1988&Make1=Mitsubishi&Make2=57&Model1=3000GT&Model2=2490&MakeName1=Mitsubishi&ModelName1=3000GT&p t=used

http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/choose.asp?trim1=8995&trim2=10895&year1=1993&year2=1988&Make1=Mitsubishi&Make2=57&Model1=3000GT&Model2=2491&MakeName1=Mitsubishi&ModelName1=3000GT&p t=used

[paulhagedorn]

A major minus as far as those cars go...or went was the transmission for the four wheel drive. It is/was a Getrag tranny. If the transmission hasn't been replaced, it will probably have to be in the near future, unless treated extremely nicely. I think the tranny also costs around $5000. Talk about a nice puckered up a$$ when you get that bill.
Paul

[Nabeel]

Ribs-

I'm pretty sure that the non Vr4 3KGT's were front drive. I remember reading it somewhere.

regards,
Nabeel

[EugeneYu]

What is the reason to make a 4-wheel-drive sport car besides snow?

[MBuck951]

Ribs,
you are correct. the NA 3000's and stealth's were FWD.

A friend here at school had a hand-built turbo setup on a SOHC model w/o LSD. Talk about your torque steer and 1-wheel burnouts. He has since sold it and now has a nice new WRX!

------------------
Mike Buck
My Gallery
'88 944 turbo
'89 944 NA

[IceShark]

I saw the 3000GT at the Chicago Auto Show way back in the late '80s. If they would have carried out the original concept a bit closer that would have really been one sweet car.

I was going to buy one but it took forever to go into production, then it was a pretty fat sucker and other things, and I couldn't wait the extra few years after that for the bugs to be shaken out. Turns out the bugs never were completely shaken out. Or its fat.

The big problem is the entire drive train. Starting with the clutch and going back from there.

[dk944s2]

Had a chance to drive an HKS-modifed 3000GT VR-4 on the track (Streets of Willow) a few years ago, and can report that the stock brakes are TOTALLY inadequate for hard lapping. Boiled the fluid in the calipers, and car needed about 20 minutes before the pedal wouldn't completely mush down to the firewall. Cars don't have the "Mr. Potato Head" parts interchangeability of Porsches, so it's harder/more expensive to upgrade brakes.

An easy car to drive quickly (until the brakes go) but pretty unrewarding... there's considerable power-on push and steering feel is nowhere near as good as our cars. Plus you can feel all of its two tons in quick transitions. I've also heard stories of the frailty of gearbox.

--Doug

[Blackfoot]

okay, where to start?

let me sum it up in a couple of sentences, then give some specifics.

they are good cars. not great, much better than average. glaring weakspot: tranny. torque steer bothered me.

weight? ya, but they have all four wheels driving the car, have lsd, and actually handle well. sprung heavier than a 944/951, less body lean. ride correspondingly not as good. stock sound system in vr4/stealth tt actually pretty good.

they are FUN to launch hard. chirp all fours. it was hard to lose control in a turn with awd. 400+ hp relatively inexpensive. i got about 17 mpg all-around driving.

bad trannies.
bad trannies.
did i mention the trannies are less than spectacular? once your tranny goes, don't replace with stock. there are special rebuilds available which are sturdier and last longer.

every once and a while you'll also hear of spun bearings.

$6500 for a '93 with 100k is a good price if it's not thrashed. if you're serious, you might want to hold out for a 94+ as the bodywork on front end got smoother and lost the "warts" on the front hood.

learn more. best forum is here:

http://www.3si.org/vbb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=1

[Lawrence Coppari]

The cars are too heavy.

[Scott R]

They are engineered by the same people who designed all the early 90's Hyundai's. Another piece of Korean/chrysler/mitsu junk. The dealer that I most recently worked at would only wholesale the trade inn’s we had. Expensive parts, and a bunches of little problems. Two of the used that I remember doing safety inspections on had tranny issues, and bad or failing head gaskets

[klasic951]

I'm going to agree with those that are saying that you should stay away from the 3000Gt / Stealth TT and move towards the Supra, 300zx, rx-7 area.

I'd push the supra, only because I think it is the best looking, easiest to modify, ect. ect.

But basically it comes down to personal taste, what car when you wake up in the morning and see it sitting in your drive way / aparment parking lot / what ever will make you want to get in and drive and will make you smile the whole way to work. Every day I get into my Sparco seats in my 951 and enjoy my drive to work, and every time I see my car I think "man is it coming along nicely."

So go with what you like, you'll find people that will modify just about anycar and can offer their .02.

[Blackfoot]

until we hear what eugene's budget is, in comparing a supra to a 3000gt it could be apples to oranges. outside of wrecked ones, there are no tt supras for $6500. there are no tt supras for $12.5k. you will spend minimum $20k if you want a good tt supra.

and as for being heavy, they are, but i have to ask, "too heavy" for what? for street use? for the track? i've seen 3000gt's on the track, and do well. big brake kit is mandatory, and probably some creative ducting. but i've seen them passing cars too easily in the straights that you would otherwise think are much better suited for track. not saying that they are track mavens, but they hold their own and then afterwards you drive them home.

so i guess i'm saying they are good all-around cars, a bit expensive on the upkeep. if you're not going to get a 951, there is a car i'd recommend much higher than the 3000gt.

toyota mr2 turbo.

[klasic951]

My vote is for the 968 RS Turbo, heck there were only 5 of them built so he should be able to pick on up for 6500, or not so much, but hey we call all dream.

[EugeneYu]

Vr4, Supra and MR2 T all sound interesting. But I think I still want to stay with Porsche badge. It gives more character to a car that V.S.M don't no matter how fast they are.
I'm looking 911 (84,85,86), 951 and 928S/S4 with good price/condition combined. I hope when the winter goes deep and ecnomic slowdown, there will be more Porsche on the market for sale with good price.
Before I find a good Porsche, I do need something to play with. I'm going to get a 91 Chevy 1500 Z71 4x4 truck with off-road pak. I think it will keep me happy for this winter. Remember I live in the midwest city -in the middle of nowhere. Snow, snow and snow that is the only thing we have in the winter.

Just keep looking, I hope I can tell you guys I've got a Porsche next week. BTW I really like 924S. All factors combined together, it's a great reliable car. I personal think 944na looks too fat at that performance range.