Let This 7k Mile 1997 3000GT VR-4 Remind You Of Mitsubishi’s Glory Days

Started by cawimmer430, February 13, 2021, 06:36:49 AM

cawimmer430

Let This 7k Mile 1997 3000GT VR-4 Remind You Of Mitsubishi's Glory Days

A 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 has just come across our radar after being listed up for sale from a dealership in Hickory, North Carolina.

Mitsubishi produced the 3000GT, also known as the GTO, between 1990 and 2000 as a rival to the likes of the Nissan 300ZX. It was offered in a plethora of different guises throughout its production run, of which the VR-4 variant sold in the United States and Canada was the most desirable.



The original 3000GT had pop-up headlights, but for its second-generation more traditional headlights were used. Being a 1997 model, this car is a second-gen and, according to the eBay listing, has been well maintained and driven just 7,321 miles.

The bodywork is painted Panama Green, making this one of just 71 examples finished in this color. The front end is protected by a clear bra and the car sits on a set of chrome-finished wheels.



The interior is in excellent condition and features tan-colored leather across the seats and door panels while the dashboard, transmission tunnel, and steering wheel are finished in black. Despite the car's age, the leather seats show little signs of wear and the seller, Cosmo Motors, is keen to point out that the car has never been smoked in.

The 3000GT VR-4, which topped out the model range in North America, features a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 pumping out 320 hp at 6,000 rpm and 315 lb-ft (427 Nm) of torque at 2,500 rpm.

While its original MSRP was $45,938 MSRP, this low-mileage, one-owner example carries an asking price of $59,997. Do you think it's worth it?




Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2021/02/is-this-1997-mitsubishi-3000gt-vr-4-worth-the-60k-asking-price/
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MX793

I worked with a guy who was a 3000GT fanatic.  He had 2 or 3 of them.  Great looking cars, loaded with tech.  Heavy as a full size Mercedes, though.

I miss the cars of the 90s.  That was peak JDM sporty car.

Now you have Acura commercials showing an MDX SUV lapping a racetrack with flashes to images of old NSXs and Integra Type Rs, trying to make some case that an SUV is somehow a spiritual successor to those great performance cars.  The whole thing is very confused.  They would have been better showing it driving on mountain roads with the odd patch of light snow like every other SUV ad.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

r0tor

My neighbor had a black one.  I drooled over that thing every morning standing at the bus stop
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

Laconian

When I was young, my wealthy friend's parents' 3000GT VR-4 was my first exposure to "rear bucket seats". Echhhh!
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

CaminoRacer

My old boss had one in high school and was looking at buying another one a couple of weeks ago. (he's since moved on to looking at C5 Z06s instead, probably a better choice?)
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Laconian

Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 13, 2021, 01:25:02 PM
My old boss had one in high school and was looking at buying another one a couple of weeks ago. (he's since moved on to looking at C5 Z06s instead, probably a better choice?)

Probably.. they were cool, but they were still just Mitsubishis..
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT


Laconian

Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

Soup DeVille

Quote from: Laconian on February 13, 2021, 07:50:46 PM
Why didn't 4WS catch on?

It was spooky and didn't really improve anything.

I'm sure it could be done better now; the 4WS GMC pickups that still exist are cult favorites; but its still a lotnof hardware for a minimal return.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

FoMoJo

Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 14, 2021, 05:23:11 AM
It was spooky and didn't really improve anything.

I'm sure it could be done better now; the 4WS GMC pickups that still exist are cult favorites; but its still a lotnof hardware for a minimal return.
I see no advantage, but much potential for problems.  Don't want the back end moving in any direction other than following the front.
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

MrH

Quote from: Laconian on February 13, 2021, 07:50:46 PM
Why didn't 4WS catch on?

It has?  Lots of cars have it now, especially when you look at the expensive sports car stuff.  Pretty much all 911s have it as an option now I think.
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2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
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Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

Laconian

Quote from: MrH on February 14, 2021, 10:47:47 AM
It has?  Lots of cars have it now, especially when you look at the expensive sports car stuff.  Pretty much all 911s have it as an option now I think.

Has it become such a normal thing that nobody talks about it, then? As Soup said, GM made a big stink about 4WS, as did the VR-4 before it. Now nobody bats an eye..?
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

MX793

A lot of vehicles have passive 4WS where the rear wheels turn very slightly when the suspension compresses.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

MrH

Quote from: Laconian on February 14, 2021, 10:58:10 AM
Has it become such a normal thing that nobody talks about it, then? As Soup said, GM made a big stink about 4WS, as did the VR-4 before it. Now nobody bats an eye..?

Yeah, pretty much.  Bosch makes the system everyone uses now.  It's relatively simple and effective.  Pretty cheap too I think.  Porsche, MB, BMW, Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini all use it I'm pretty sure.
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

Laconian

Huh. I let my bathroom reading subscriptions lapse, and now I'm an uninformed unthusiast.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

CaminoRacer

I think the Bosch system is much more subtle and less of a big deal than the old systems that got a lot of press? At least that what it seems like
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Soup DeVille

Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 14, 2021, 12:21:45 PM
I think the Bosch system is much more subtle and less of a big deal than the old systems that got a lot of press? At least that what it seems like

The Bosch system is something like +/- 1.5 degrees max, where the GM system was something like 15 degrees. Its much more subtle.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

MX793

Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 14, 2021, 02:53:30 PM
The Bosch system is something like +/- 1.5 degrees max, where the GM system was something like 15 degrees. Its much more subtle.

True.  But the GM system served a different purpose from the system commonly used in performance cars.  Systems like in the 3KGT and the Bosch system operate at higher speeds and turn the rear wheels, slightly, in the same direction as the fronts, allowing the car to change direction with reduced yaw, which was intended to improve high speed stability.  At low speeds, the system keeps the rear wheels fixed.  The system in GM's trucks turned the rear wheels opposite the fronts, only at low speeds, to tighten the turning circle.  It may have operated similar to the Bosch system at higher speeds.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

MrH

Pretty sure the Bosch system turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction at slower speeds too.
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

FoMoJo

Once again, who really wants the rear of the car to swing around when changes lanes on the highway or turning into a parking space.  Sooner or later, you'll cut it too close and take someone's fender off.
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

Laconian

Quote from: FoMoJo on February 14, 2021, 04:40:59 PM
Once again, who really wants the rear of the car to swing around when changes lanes on the highway or turning into a parking space.  Sooner or later, you'll cut it too close and take someone's fender off.

I would assume that, like adaptive steering racks, the effect can be dialed down as speed builds.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

MX793

Quote from: FoMoJo on February 14, 2021, 04:40:59 PM
Once again, who really wants the rear of the car to swing around when changes lanes on the highway or turning into a parking space.  Sooner or later, you'll cut it too close and take someone's fender off.

In practice, these systems actually reduce the amount that the rear swings about at speed.  The car more "crabs" than turns, albeit the effect is quite minimal because the angle of rear steering is very low.  There are also passive systems managed entirely by the suspension geometry.  The rear wheels turn as the suspension compresses or decompresses. 

At low speeds, systems like GM's significantly tighten turning radius.  The systems that only afford like 1-2 degrees of rear steer don't make a tremendous difference there.  The effect is less that the rear swings around and more that the point about which the vehicle turns is closer to the vehicle and a big ahead of the rear axle rather than in line with it.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

FoMoJo

Quote from: MX793 on February 14, 2021, 07:09:58 PM
In practice, these systems actually reduce the amount that the rear swings about at speed.  The car more "crabs" than turns, albeit the effect is quite minimal because the angle of rear steering is very low.  There are also passive systems managed entirely by the suspension geometry.  The rear wheels turn as the suspension compresses or decompresses. 

At low speeds, systems like GM's significantly tighten turning radius.  The systems that only afford like 1-2 degrees of rear steer don't make a tremendous difference there.  The effect is less that the rear swings around and more that the point about which the vehicle turns is closer to the vehicle and a big ahead of the rear axle rather than in line with it.
Just seems like added complexity for little or no gain.
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

JWC

I remember the Prelude 4WS. Cool car, but not popular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSo6ZALWa9g