I put it down to media. The NSX, FD3 had Initial D to boost them. The Supra had Fast and Furious. The 300ZX and 3000GT didnt get their day in popular media and thus lost out.
how about the turbo charged prologue of 2fast2furious where he got a 3000gt before the r34 when that mitsu was seized. it's not a particularly good looking car, imo. it's not something i'd want a character rolling down the street in one. 300zx sold really well though. really really well. even the twin turbos. the fd was a great car regardless of whether or not initial d had a main character drive it, it's far and away probably the most impressive japanese car of that period. and then you have the nsx. the car that struck fear into ferrari over them delivering a much superior product compared to the offerings of their time and unlike a porsche, something properly exotic. the 3000gt isn't that special of a car. it's the most generic one out of the range of great japanese cars.
@@KingShaf7 yeah, in murica they were something like 60 grand for one with the “fast” options and 300zx was like 20 grand cheaper, in 90s money, also they weren’t far off 911 and 355 money, and Id take either over a 3000 erryday
@@sunnohh Lol that is not true at all. The Spyder VR4 was 60k the coupe VR4 was $45k in '95. The 300zx was only a couple grand cheaper at $43K. And this car was faster than both the cars you mention.
@@sunnohh Loool. My 1996 3000GT VR-4 came with the original sticker price - try more like $45,000 for a brand new 1994-1999 3000GT VR-4. After getting used to my '96 3000GT VR-4 I took it to my local strip bone stock to see what it could do with a couple friends and their cars. My first run was 13.52@102.27mph, by the third and final run that night I cut it down to 13.47@102.89mph. One of my friends had a cherry 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo - 5 speed manual model, stock besides exhaust and a K&N filter - and he ran 13.8-14.0s@100-103mph when we went to the strip together and he was a much much better driver. The Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo was maybe $2k or $3k cheaper (mostly due to the fact that Nissan never updated it) and it was markedly slower in a straight line, no 6 speed manual worse skidpad numbers and slower lap times. As far as recorded US magazine tests, the 1994-1999 VR-4 beat *every* Nissan 300ZX TT it was up against in acceleration, braking, lap times and skidpad numbers. MotorWeek tested a 3,800lb 1994 3000GT VR-4 and hit 60mph in 4.9s and the 1/4m in 13.5@103mph, near supercar times in the mid 90s: th-cam.com/video/kBTwc8h-cnI/w-d-xo.html MotorTrend did a huge test in 1995 called Virtual Velocity (its on motortrend.com) with the Supra, 3000, Z and RX7. *1/4m Results by MotorTrend, 1995* *1995 Nissan 300ZX TwinTurbo* 13.9@102.0mph *1995 Mazda RX-7 TwinTurbo* 14.1@99.9mph *1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4* 13.5@101.7mph *1995 Toyota Supra TwinTurbo* 13.5@106.9mph Stock to stock the Nissan loses pretty badly to the Mitsubishi in almost every performance category. Sure, it won plenty of tests but it just didnt have the speed its competion had. Lastly, in Japan you could get a GTO MR which is a lightweight version of the GTO TT. The MR not only cost less than the fully loaded TT model but it was also faster. In 1994 BestMotoring tested the new MR model where it beat the legendary, lighter R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R over a mile in acceleration: th-cam.com/video/KbOKzHXbtL0/w-d-xo.html In '95 BestMotoring again tested the GTO MR where it ran 0-400 meters in 12.888s beating the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R: th-cam.com/video/KHPh3KT6BNM/w-d-xo.html
@@burtonporter8437 I've had one for twelve years, it's been fine, if you don't service then you get problems. It's faster than almost anything I come up against and its comfy and for the cost of ownership I cant find anything with similar specs for circa 10k.
@@SuperDeadlen anything can be reliable if you don’t drive it. It’s fine to like them, I like bmws- it’s different to act like they are solidly built vehicles without expensive inevitable problems
@@burtonporter8437 I've daily driven mine for twelve years. I speak from experience. Stock and serviced they are fine, start modifying and its down to your mods.
@@SuperDeadlen can’t find any equivalent for circa 10k but can certainly find better....... BMW Z4 coupe, bmw 335i, Audi TTS, will all out perform it on comfort, reliability, running costs and literally everything else. I could point out more but I’ve made my point........ and I have, owned all of the above including a gto, rx7, supra, Impreza type r, evo 4 and 5, mr2 turbo, z4 35is.
Having owned 2 VR4 models, I can highly recommend this machine. Wonderful to drive as a GT vehicle. Massive power available through 3SX. Be prepared for performance vehicle costs.
I feel like people expect performance to be cheap with these cars. I don't get it lol. The potential of the VR4 platform is absolutely ridiculous, but people have not a clue. If done right, you can have a thousand horsepower, or more. There is one guy out there who has made 1304 AWHP, which is like 1500HP to the crank! I own a 93 VR4 and hope to build every single bit of it, after college. With the VR4 weighing the same as some modern supercars, it can compete now. My solution will be carbon fiber everywhere lol.
@@TheAdatto Sounds like a personal problem to me. Why is your car so ready to explode? Try telling that to this guy: th-cam.com/video/qTwEo_v6AMM/w-d-xo.html Or this guy: th-cam.com/video/KfMKEUTU9A4/w-d-xo.html Hell, maybe even Pampena himself: th-cam.com/video/onMUh3Ajd_o/w-d-xo.html I've got plenty of these....
@@jonathonhebert7042 Yeah... I doubt it. You'd pretty much have to build it from the ground up and then you might as well have bought something faster in the first place tbh
When I was in high school my friend asked me to test drive a car for him, because he couldn't drive stick. I had never driven anything but a pickup, but there sat this low thing with a weird looking wing. I experienced boost for the first time, shifted into second and was like "holy shit I'm going 70!" He bought the that RT TT and we later converted the whole front end to a 99 vR4 and he let me take that car to my prom
The brief of the car was 'a car that anyone could drive fast' which is probably the reason why it never struck a cord with the motoring press. There's a great video of the GTO MR beating a Skyline GT-R in a drag race. So these were quick cars out of the box, just ignore the squatting rear end in the clip. th-cam.com/video/KbOKzHXbtL0/w-d-xo.html
There was this race as well that Best Motoring did. The Supra set the fastest lap but the 3000GT won. I can agree it is "a car anyone can drive fast". Could almost call the 3000GT a cut price Porsche 959. Lol th-cam.com/video/G3Tb2Iv1sTw/w-d-xo.html
Great videos you guys found. Don't forget about the Puma GTO which also proved its worth by beating race spec Skyline GTRs too th-cam.com/video/ZZ5qVAx2CPU/w-d-xo.html
These were beyond 'quick' for their time, they ran near supercar numbers at half the price of $60k German/Italian/JDM 90s supercars. With a decent driver & launch even the 300HP/307lb.ftTQ 3,850lb 1g 1991-1993 3000GT VR-4s hit 60mph stock in 5.1 - 5.3 seconds when the featherweight Honda NSX was doing it in 5.5 - 5.8 seconds. From a standstill the VR-4 also beat its JDM rivals the Mazda RX-7 TT & Nissan Z32 300ZX TT. By 1994 the 3000GT VR-4 was updated and made lighter and produced 320 HP/315lb.ftTQ with a shorter ratio 6 speed manual. MotorWeek tested a 1994 VR-4 and got 0-60 in 4.8-5.0 seconds and the 1/4m in 13.5@103mph, obliterating the Nissan 300ZX TT and Mazda RX-7 TT in a straight line on that show: youtu.be/kBTwc8h-/nI In 1995 MotorTrend tested the 3000GT VR-4 against the Nissan 300ZX TT, C4 Corvette LT1 and Mazda RX-7 TT (all manual transmission cars) in an article titled 'Virtual Velocity', it's easily found online. *1/4m Results* *1995 Nissan 300ZX TT* 13.9@102.0mph *1995 Chevy Corvette* 13.7@103.9mph *1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4* 13.5@101.7mph Also in 1995 Road&Track compared the Nissan 300ZX TT, Chevy Corvette LT1 and Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 & again the VR-4 bested it's JDM rival. In 1999 Edmunds ran a VR-4 to 14.0@*105mph* saying it trapped as fast as a C5 Vette and was the third fastest car they had tested. Popular Mechanics ran a '99 VR-4 through the quarter in 13.44@101.79mph, a time still relevant in 2023. Japan had the GTO MR, a lightweight VR-4, and on it's debut on BestMotoring beat the hallowed R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R over a mile in acceleration, ET and trap speed. It continued to be featured on BestMotoring through the mid-late 90s and ran a stock 1/4m of 12.888 beating the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R and averaging quarter mile times of 12.8 - 13.3 seconds, much faster than the all but the Honda NSX Type R and one other car. Links: th-cam.com/video/diYFFznI0uw/w-d-xo.html m.th-cam.com/video/ZfUevCW7ezE/w-d-xo.html Owners have gotten 13.2-13.3@101-105mph depending on launch and conditions. In the right hands the '94-'01 GTO TT/MR will give modern 2017-2021 cars a run for their $ in straight line acceleration let alone the competition it smoked in the 90s.
The values on these are going insane. There are 2 NA models, with auto trans, available locally to me at super high end classic car dealers. They’re going for above 30k.
@@jjperera3389 they do have rust issues if they aren't cared for properly and if your in the market for one now is the best time to grab one as they are steeply apprecting in value
It’s relatively easy to modify these cars to a reliable ~500hp at the wheels. (At least the 1994+ models) It takes about $3-5k in mostly oem parts. I ran one for years at 450hp at the wheels and surprised a number of 911 turbos of the 2000-2010 vintage.
Trunk is actually deeper, its a false floor with a spare wheel and storage compartments below. It roughly twice as deep with a small hump in the middle for the fuel tank's hump and a mounting point for the spare wheel.
I absolutely love that last shot with the magazine - class! I bought a GTO as a project car a few years back, sight unseen off Ebay because I am an optimistic idiot. I have just got it back on the road. Still got some niggles to sort out - engine mounts are shot, gear change needs looking at (new bushes for the clutch linkage and shifter on order) and the transfer case is now leaking so need to replace the seals on that, but honestly, I've been really impressed with it. It is my first experience of 90s turbo'd performance cars, and the 'stamp, wait, giggle, repeat' style of driving waiting for the boost to arrive is great fun. Part of the work done so far was coilovers and polybushes all round, and with those and the rear wheel steering it feels super planted through corners, that's probably the main sensation I'd associate with the car. And that is on cheapo ditchfinder tires fitted by the previous owner. I'd like to make a comparison video between the GTO and my Jaguar XJR-s, as there are a lot of similarities between the two cars, even though they go about things so very differently. Both GT cars with enough sportiness to entertain when the right road presents itself, both around 300bhp, and mind bogglingly both were on sale at the same time (though the XJS by that point had already been around for 20 years). I'm hoping the GTO will prove to have been a good buy as time goes on - when you look at what contemporaries like the Skylines, Supras and RX7s sell for now, it can only be a matter of time before people begin to show proper appreciation for the GTO and the 300ZX. Great video as usual, really enjoyed watching! Cheers!
My favourite early Gran Turismo car was the Mitsubishi Gallant VR4, torn between the saloon & estate. Although it has to be said, the estate is probably one of the best looking estates ever! I'd love to see a review of that beast.
The estate / wagon variant (named the Legnum) is indeed a fun car to drive. I owned one and they pull exceptionally well off the line. In a quarter Mile they hold their own against GTRs... even some V8s.
For its age the 3000GT VR4, the way it is called here is an absolute dream. And it turns heads every time no matter where you take it. My red 1997 will be giving me joy for many many years.
Only the first gens were hard to make power, the second gens and onward with the 6 speed could handle current supercar power on stock block and trans. It genuinely is as tuneable as Gran Turismo.
I'm very lucky own one of these car, all do its the U.S. spec vr4, its almost the same exact car. Now I know you said you can't really mod these cars , but I beg to defer. These cars have an unbelievably strong engine block, and if you have the second gen, they came with a forged crankshaft. I have been able to make a respectable 450 whp with some decent modifications and drive it around reliably. I even compete with my vr4 regularly in time attack events. I also have friends in the U.S. making 900 whp on a stock engine block reliably but with heavy modifications. All though they we're not the best when compared to other Mitsubishi cars such as the evo or eclipse, I still think they are severely under appreciated. In my opinion, I think they make for a fine tuner car.
I have a 1991 VR4 all original, everything works like the day came out of the factory, and even still smells new with only 72,000 mi. The build quality - materials - inside outside ... the urethane airplane paint shines... 30 years later you would swear this was a brand new car! It starts runs and drives absolutely flawlessly, and is ultimate grand touring vehicle. I have taken it on 300 mile trips and arrived more relaxed than any modern sedan. people who say these are unreliable Don't have the money to properly maintain them or bought a modified vehicle. for the $12,000 I paid for mine, there's absolutely nothing that could come close! every single thing you look at and touch inside the engine or the interior screams of modern quality - and this is in a 30-year-old 1990s vehicle.
ive allways had 3000gt twin turbos, Great cars, ive also had many other performance cars and currently have a jag s type r, Audi S8 V10, Maserati, Quottroporte and a few others and I still love my 3000 even though its not the most fun to drive its a very capable car and gets alot of respect and admiration whenever im out in it!
I own an original Australian delivered 3000GT, all wheel drive, all wheel steer, twin turbo. I’ve owned many Porsche models and the GT is as good if not better. The GT is SO under rated as so few were delivered into Australia. Our versions had over 300HP, no active aero or bi modal exhaust, not speed limited and the one of the best active electronically controlled suspensions short of Lotus in the 80’s. Mine still works a treat, 30 years in service. These are a JDM legend car and until you actually drive one on twisty mountain roads, you don’t know what your missing.
I had a limited edition 1995 3000 GT VR4 Spider, it was an automatic hardtop convertible with a push of a button in 1995! Loved it for 17 yrs until it was sold.
Picture the opening scene of a Jayemm on cars video - a guy pushing a Mitsubishi Starion up a nice country road, making fake wheelspin and car noises as he does it 😂
I don't know how you did it Jay but quite literally less than an hour after watching this video yesterday I saw a black JDL GTO parked on a side street two blocks away from my home. For context I should tell you that I live about a mile from Disneyland Paris and as a result there usually (in the pre COVID world at least!) is a rather constant parade of exotic and otherwise notable cars in and around the area. Even so I have never seen ANY Mitsubishi 3000 GTs much less a GTO in the entire 16+ years that I have lived in France ! Good vibes! that's all I can think of... Really good vibes!!!
Always lived these. Yeah they were heavy, yeah they had too many electrics but.. Great engine, great drivetrain and one if the best 90s interiors ever made. A brilliant GT car. If you're gonna keep it stock or near to stock, you're not looking at one as a track car and you take good care of it, its a GREAT car.
The sadness when you realised your green 1000bhp Mitsubishi GTO had dropped into the 900's because you'd caned it non stop and hadn't changed the oil. Heartbreaking for a kid.
I'm quite glad to see you enjoyed your experience with the GTO. I became enchanted with it in more recent Gran Turismo games (I was an NSX/ RX-7 fanboy for the earlier games), and have always seen through the shadow/ hatred since Glad that it's not as bad as its reputation makes it out to be, and is in fact a good drive
I once heard a journalist say that the 3000GT was a car designed by engineers and a car engineered by designers. I’ve always thought that was an apt description.
I have to be honest... I’ve always fancied a GTO/3000GT as they great cars. There the car for the person that knows what they’re talking about, with the knowledge of its capabilities. That’s how I’d describe a GTO, even if it’s a bit heavy.
Been binge watching your vids. FYI it was the Fiat Coupe vid that roped me in, but been going through quite a few at a time. With your filming background your presentation is top notch, but I also like how the humbleness of the channel. It is not OTT with music and dragging out too much with waffle or poor attempts at building tension like some of the bigger channels might. Great stuff and keep making vids 👍
The weight mostly came from the luxury seats over 100lbs worth. Also it's wheels were really heavy. On top of that the headlight unit and fog lights were also heavy. The 4 wheel steering, active aero and electronic ride control made it even heavier. There's quite a bit that you can delete from the car that wouldn't ruin it's experience. Honestly modern tires, seats and wheels fixes most of the issues with weight. If you swap to a 6spd manual with closer gearing a basic tune you don't need more power beyond stock. The key to upgrading and making this car reliable and powerful is finding a good 3S shop that knows what they're doing even if you have to drive 4hrs to get there and sleep on someone's couch.
Love the Z. I was lucky, I owned a 1991 300ZX TT and also owned a 1996 Mitsu 3000GT VR-4. The Z was more fun to drive, but I will say the VR4 is faster in a straight line. This was years ago, but I raced the two frequently. Took both to the strip, the Z ran a best of 13.88@102.92mph and the VR4 ran a best of 13.35@103.51mph, still have both time slips. If you race the two from a dead stop, the VR4 is about 2 cars ahead at 155mph when the Nissan hits it's limiter. I do miss the insane pull the VR4 had, and am thinking of importing a '96 GTO MR. That being said, the Z is an icon. If you're a JDM fan, the Z is the first one to cover; if it wasnt for the Z32 we'd still have C4 Vettes. Also, the Z looks insane modern.
I've owned 8 of these cars in the past 8 years and currently own 4. 2 vr4s 1 fwd tt and an es. I've been in all the 90s sports car and non give you the driving experience like a 3/s. They are wat ahead of their time. And people thinking they are too heavy.....your lose. The 9bs are small bit on healthy turbos and 14psi your still beating new cars. I got s cammed 9b car and a 15g supporting mods vr4 and it will hang with cars twice as expensive as mine from the showroom.. these cars are greatly under rated. But such a diamond in the rough and I love it.
I've been waiting so long for this video. To actually see the Lonsdale slip on's being worn has convinced me to go try on a pair next time I'm allowed out
Just in time, only last week I thought about various Japanese 90s sportscars, and this was one of them.
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I have a 1991 Mitsubishi GTO, 1994 Supra and a 1997 Toyota Celica in my garage, and my GTO is way the most reliable of those cars.. It is going on 30 years old and everything functions in it and it sits original as the day it came out of the factory.. I also end up using that car way more then the other 2 because I find it much better to drive, the seat/driving position is better and it is a allround better car in my opinion.. Sure the Supra got hyped up because of those movie scenes, but I dont really think it is that a good car compared to the prices they are fetching today.
1994 VR4 & I really loved it but it was a bit expensive to maintain. A deep green color & wonderful tan leather. Still have it but unfortunately doesn’t get used as much as I’d like Great video
Back when these cars first began appearing on the road, they definitely struck an exotic pose. I remember thinking they were as exciting to see as any NSX or 911 of the time. How they perform, however, remains a mystery to me...although I appreciate your handling of this review. I ALWAYS take motoring journalist opinions (especially negative reviews) with skepticism; the almost universal pan of the 86 cars is reason enough. Well done as always👍
Very good review! I own a 92 GTO TT and I loved it. I've driven a RX7 FD, Supra MK4 turbo, R32 R33 GTR, R35, 300zx turbo but I still enjoy the GTO. It is heavy a bit eavy though although mine now weight 3,350-3400lbs.
I had a Galaxy white pearl 1992 3000GT VR4 in way back in 1995. Many many good memories with that car. A true all season touring car. She was very quick but heavy, not a true sports car like the 300ZX, RX7, or Supra, but as a highway cruiser and a every day driver she was magnificent. Many fond memories...at a perfect place in time.
I used to own one of these, but a normal Mk2 with the active aero etc. Never had a problem with any of the clever bits, and it was a nice car to drive. Even came with cruise control for long distance driving, which was nice. I did eventually swap it for a TVR though.
Cool vid. That's a trim level we never got here in the states. I had a Stealth R/T twin turbo back in the '90's. At the time it was the real deal. I still find myself looking for a well-sorted example all the time. I really loved that car and selling it off back in '00 continues to be one of my top-three automotive regrets. If I ever come across one that is in the right shape/price, I'd jump on it and daily it in a heartbeat.
I’m on my second, fool me once n all that! I love them for their comfort, I’m not taking it on track days or trying to race people off the lights so it’s ideal for motorway cruising and a little bit of fun on country lanes. Plus it does turn heads n you’ll never not be able to find it in a car park, much nicer than just another dull grey box, makes driving enjoyable so it’s well worth the money.
evo was imo the best car magazine going from 2000-2015. each issue was more like a book of well written stories rather than just the latest car news, and the writers were all good lads who knew their stuff. sadly as it grew and the writers left for better things (top gear magazine, top gear usa, youtube etc.) it's just become really boring
I bought a new 98 3000GT VR4 and picked it up from the dealership December 10th 1998. Add downpipe, exhaust, turbos , injectors and aftermarket ECU, then you have way over 100 HP! 23 years later I still have it and still love it!!! Vroom Vroom.
I swear these cars are the most MISUNDERSTOOD cars ever made lol. It's a GT car. Repeat, it is NOT a sports car. It's a grand touring car. *It's meant to travel long distances in speed and comfort in all weather conditions* - it's a budget Skyline GT-R. There are *three* generations of this car: *1990-1993 1G* 300hp/307lb.ft TQ, 5 speed, heavier, pop up headlights. This was the first generation, and many love it for all the gadgets like active aereo and exhaust options. As tested it did 60mph in 4.9-5.6s and the 1/4m in 13.6-14.0@99-103mph. It was as fast or faster than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, often running similar numbers. However, the weight tended to make the Mitsu end in last place despite having good numbers. *1994-1997 2G* 320hp/315lb.ft TQ, 6 speed, got lighter every year, non pop up headlights. This gen is my favorite. By 1997 Mitsubishi had done away with all the electronic stuff like active aereo, leaving the car lighter and thus faster. As tested it did 0-60mph in 4.8-5.1s and the 1/4m in 13.2-13.6@101-105mph. The VR-4 with it's new power output and better gearing made it markedly faster than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo and Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo. It usually ran a better ET than the Toyota Supra Twin Turbo but the Supra trapped much higher. *1999-2001 3G* Only cosmetic changes including a huge rear spoiler and new headlights. The VR4 stopped selling in the US in 1999 and finally died in 2001 in Japan. Overall it outsold most of its rivals. I had a 1996 3000GT VR-4 with just a K/N drop in filter. 90,000+ miles but one owner car with all receipts and the guy was a surgeon. I ran consistent 13.3-13.5@101-104mph once I got the launch down. My average was 13.3-13.4@102-103mph. The '94-01 Twin Turbo VR4s/GTO will out accelerate all of its rivals but the Supra (which would only pass from a dig well over 100mph), leaving the lovely Nissan Z TT and FD3 seeing only tail lights, especially from a dead stop. *The Mitsubishi 3000GT should have been marketed against the BMW 8 series/Jaguar XJ/Acura Legend/Porsche 928/MB CL or SL coupes/etc as a cheaper faster AWD competitor* The car had GT in it's name for a reason. It's blistering fast in a straight line but not nearly as driver engaging as the Z32 or FD3; in Japan the car was marketed as a cheaper and just as fast/faster Nissan Skyline GTR and competed with a lot of cars including the 90s Mazda Cosmos. *The big Mitsu is NOT meant to be driven like a 300ZX TT where you can shift in sync with the car and tackle apexes and tight corners nor can it cover a race track like the FD3* As far as "fun factor" the 3000GT series is only fun in a straight line and on long sweepers. It's fun, but it's missing that "feeling" you get from cars like the 300ZX and FD3, despite being faster in a straight line. It's not all about acceleration, and the others were just more engaging to drive - minus the Toyota Supra Twin Turbo which, imho, is the least engaging sports car of the 5 - which left Mitsubishi in a weird spot where Americans didn't understand AWD launches and the US kept trying to treat it like a sports car. Look at the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 / GTO as a straight line missile that is meant to go anywhere in any weather. This thing will do 0-60 in under 5 seconds in pouring rain.
A friend of mine had one of these - it was pretty cool! Fast, comfy, with a (to my eyes) funky driver-centric cockpit with lots of mysterious buttons. Kind of like a Japanese Rover SD1 Vitesse. A good GT to do fast miles in.
I remember working in a mod garage back when I was 15/16 (2003 - 2004) as a valet and one of the mechanics had the tt one, he let me drive it around the yard one day so I could clean it, I remember thinking is this really happening and that I had made it, I remember my heart pounding and loving every bit of, I was nervous but the excitement was too much, looking back I dont know how he trusted me with it as I wasn't there for long, so grateful he did.
@@Nickoboss29 A VR4 is probably not a good first car, unless you're pretty good with stuff. Mine actually *is* my first car, but I'm mechanically inclined, studying mechanical engineering.
I had a black 3000gt manual in my early 20s because of Gran Turismo... I really enjoyed it, super fast but I liked the mk2 MR2 that I had before more... I got a white JDM s2000 next then an Elise... not surprising I enjoy your content 🥰
I never played the GT game, but my nephew did and he went a bit bonkers when I landed my 1997 GTO MR on the doorstep 15 years ago. Was hunting around Japan for Skyline's, but they were mostly broken and the MR popped up and it was sort of a lot of car for not a lot of money, so the extra cash at the end of the day didn't hurt much either. Skylines and Supras are also expensive cars to run, just like the GTO is. But in saying that, mines really not given me any major problems over the years and I've put about 80,000km on it, stuff wears out but its never been a problem getting those parts either as the US has a huge aftermarket supply chain there still. MR's straight from the factory, you get bigger brakes, ducted brake cooling and that's about it on the lighter Z15 chassis which does cut the weight down to about 1500kg on the scales, after that you could option in the ABS (which mine has) along with basically whatever you wanted on the very basics. This is simply because the MR did stand for Mitsu Racing and they are more or less what you bought if you're going to the track, so they simplified everything and you're not pulling out active systems, fancy suspension, sunroofs or exhaust stuff and would have ended up with your track car full of Bilstein, bigger turbos and a whole new fuel system anyway. In a world full of automatic-everything anti-fun gear its still a real pleasure to just go for a drive, there's no warning systems, traction control, cruise control or much of anything but a radio and aircon.On any given day, you're probably the only GTO on the road anyone will see.
@@oldschoolninamain9138 it runs well. As good as a 94’ GTO can. The MR package (deletes) make it a little light and the lack of the AWS makes it more of a drivers car. Knowing it’s probably 1 of 20 left in the world in this color with the factory BBS wheels and the MR package is starting to become priceless.
@@johnsonrepp Ugh I wish I lived near you. I'm in the US also . Had a '96 VR-4, I've always wanted a GTO MR. Yours sounds amazing. Hold on to that car and enjoy it, you literally have one of my dream cars lol. I'm waiting another few years before I import one, I really want a '96 GTO MR.
Ah a GTO these are so uncommon nowadays. The kouki MR is even more rare but they see super under appreciated. Even nice examples go for only mid 30s here in Japan. It's ashame because at the time these cars rivaled even the BCNR33 with how technologically advanced they were.
2 on my road! One in red that looks great as standard with black 18’s on. The other in black with a lot of gold decals. 😌 the red one is still so cool. Love it.
Other than the NSX, or the FD, given the chance I'd pick a 3000GT over the rest. I was just like you at 14 when GT came out and Mitsubishi in general, but especially the GTO was my favorite car. Also included, the Dodge Stealth RT. A few years before that, I was maybe 10-11? I remember asking for a 3000GT/Stealth model kit. Nobody could find one. So I got a Viper RT10 model kit. I was disappointed in a Viper kit lol. I wanted the Stealth!! And that was the pre-facelift models lol. Once the refresh happened, I was even more smitten!! Cheers!
I remember playing it in the original Gran Turismo, the only car I remember from that game. Fast AF in a straight line but turned like a 60's Detroit muscle car in the game. Great if you like to point and shoot but not if you like a balanced, well handling car.
8:17 Absolutely if you wanted to win at Gran Turismo, then you just got a Mitsubishi GTO until you got to the difficult races where you needed an R33 to win because the GTO would just understeer off track when pushed more than 9 tenths........ my teenage years were spent playing that game and reading Performance Car Magazine :) Can you get someone to lend you a Nissan 300ZX please - overshadowed by the GTR but one of those cars that you just must drive IMO.
Like these and the 300zx which also got panned in the reviews. Seems like finding a nice one in either is rather difficult these days. So futuristic both of them
Almost all sport cars look better with the pop-up lights (one except would be the Nissan 300ZX), and this one is one of the greatest examples of that...
Funny that, of all fast Mitsubishis, I tend to overlook 3000GT back in the GranTurismo 2 days, since I've always been an Evo boy (Makinen and all that). But I never think of 3000GT as a particularly bad car, if anything I kinda liked the look a little better in comparison with the equivalent FD3S RX-7 and R33 GT-R. One thing I didn't know back then, however, was just how advanced the 3000GT was. A victim of being too far ahead of its time like the current NSX? Probably. Nah, I like cars that are a little too advanced for its time.
These cars turn into a different animal with a good boost controller , the small turbos can reach a good psi quickly , the stock psi is 8 , at 12 to 14 psi the a rather sprightly
I spent years lusting after a mk4 supra and when I got one I loved it, then I lived with it for a few months and it just didn't live upto what I thought it would be. But It might have now I'm 10 years older. Great content as always 👍
I have owned my 1998 Mitsubishi 3000 GT SL now for almost 16 years now. I love it! My husband wanted me to get a new car, but mine still looks brand new. I had the second 60,000 mile maintenance done. Right now it has 133,000 miles on it. I decided to put a new exhaust on it, since it is my daily driver. The paint is excellent and no rust at all. People tell me that it looks fast just sitting there. It is red with a tan interior and it rides really comfortable. I heard that there were only 17,000 of this year made. I guess that is why the parts are hard to come by, and right now everything is going up in price. That is why I am taking it in now for them to rebuild the engine! I would not get rid of it for the world!
I remember that in GT4 if you set a 3000GT up in a really understeery way it lost horsepower at a rate of knots, and would never be able to claim them back even with a double oil change, you had to buy another one.
I always liked the look of them. People forget that GT's aren't race cars, they are cars that are meant to be capable of getting you from A-B long distances in comfort and at a descent pace. They need to have descent luggage space as well when you are going on holiday to the South of France.
I remember in 1997, a family friend bought a 1991 Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo. I had a chance to have a ride in it as a 14yo. At the time I thought it looked like a mid engined Ferrari Testarossa/F40 with its pop up head lights and air vents. Very muscular and sporty looking and very very quick I thought as a 14yo in 1997. The quickest car I had been in at the time was 1996 BMW M3
This explains is why the twin turbo model was owned by a single person in my life when I was growing up ....a local mom. She WAS quite a looker though, possibly the best styling of the era...the most....mom supercar lite styling 90’s could give us
Always wanted one....with the pop ups etc.... closest i got was a Norris designs 200sx s13 with t28 turbo onboard. (290hp) I looked at a very mint red one with all the kit (pop ups etc) in 2011 for £3k.... Well worth it. Absolutely showroom condition. I just didn't have access to that kind of money although i did try.... Truth is tho - if i did manage to get it - i could not of afforded to run it... especially at that time when i was on jobseekers allowance!... ....sigh....will never forget that gto.
I think we might be the same person, almost. For me, it was the F355 and the 300zx, but the 550 and 3000gt are both utterly wonderful cars. That very last clip 🤣🤣🤣
I'm glad you did the MR version as most people think the 3000gt vr4 is the ultimate version. Wrong. I had a 1995 GTO MR for a few years, stuck some coilovers on it along with some decent brakes and it was great fun. Yes it wasn't all that nimble in the twisties but all in all I thoroughly enjoyed my ownership with that car.
Then full spec GTO/3000GT VR4 IS the untilmate version with the AWS, ECS etc. I'm sorry to say but the MR is the budget version. He needs to review a full spec GTO with ECS and AWS working. I have both MR and Full Spec if you don't believe me look in my videos. The MR has coil overs. But the ECS is q better suspension for all around driving
@@paologarcia8541 The MR was quite a bit lighter because it done away with a lot of the electrical gizmos but was running the same power. Lighter = Better in my eyes
Have been driving 3KGT's for over 20 years (both myself & my wife). Have owned over a dozen of them. Currently own a 96 Spyder & 2 97's. Like most any car, if maintained they can be very reliable. I put nearly 500k miles on a 95 I had with no engine overhaul just regular timing belt, water pump, tensioner, ect, regular oil changes and 1 transmission re-build. "Unreliable" is BS if you take care of your stuff it will take care of you. Bought the Spyder about 2 years ago w/14k miles on it ...has 25k now and plan on driving it for quite a while to come unless someone makes a really stupid offer on it. (Have turned down $30K.)
To own an old Mistu V6 you must get good at using a multimeter and electrical diagrams. The many electronics, computers and sensors made this car finicky and the ECUs tend to go bad. But it's not as bad as, say, a Jaguar or Audi.
A very fair appraisal. I ran one for over ten years, and my memory is of a beautiful car, a fast comfortable cruiser, but ruinously expensive to run (>£2k per year). Fortunately, I've averaged down cost over the last six years running a mk1 MX5 which is £95/yr to insure, and has never missed a beat in the whole time I've owned it. It's a close call, but on balance I'm happier with the MX5. At least I can enjoy driving this flat out without killing myself.
I put it down to media. The NSX, FD3 had Initial D to boost them. The Supra had Fast and Furious. The 300ZX and 3000GT didnt get their day in popular media and thus lost out.
Actually the 300ZX or Fairlady Z as it was in japan was in the anime wangan midnight
how about the turbo charged prologue of 2fast2furious where he got a 3000gt before the r34 when that mitsu was seized.
it's not a particularly good looking car, imo. it's not something i'd want a character rolling down the street in one.
300zx sold really well though. really really well. even the twin turbos.
the fd was a great car regardless of whether or not initial d had a main character drive it, it's far and away probably the most impressive japanese car of that period. and then you have the nsx.
the car that struck fear into ferrari over them delivering a much superior product compared to the offerings of their time and unlike a porsche, something properly exotic.
the 3000gt isn't that special of a car. it's the most generic one out of the range of great japanese cars.
@@MissingLinkGTRS That was the earlier Fairlady that got its time in Wangan Midnight, not the Z32
@buister s2k It certainly helped the US side but GT-R was gonna be famous with JDM heads regardless.
@@Petrospect Yeah so generic that U posted a damn big ass comment on it. on TH-cam> LMAO.
One of the most underrated JDM ever~❤️
@buister s2k yes they were shite compared to what else you could get for the money back then
@@KingShaf7 yeah, in murica they were something like 60 grand for one with the “fast” options and 300zx was like 20 grand cheaper, in 90s money, also they weren’t far off 911 and 355 money, and Id take either over a 3000 erryday
@@sunnohh Lol that is not true at all. The Spyder VR4 was 60k the coupe VR4 was $45k in '95. The 300zx was only a couple grand cheaper at $43K. And this car was faster than both the cars you mention.
@@sunnohh Loool. My 1996 3000GT VR-4 came with the original sticker price - try more like $45,000 for a brand new 1994-1999 3000GT VR-4.
After getting used to my '96 3000GT VR-4 I took it to my local strip bone stock to see what it could do with a couple friends and their cars. My first run was 13.52@102.27mph, by the third and final run that night I cut it down to 13.47@102.89mph.
One of my friends had a cherry 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo - 5 speed manual model, stock besides exhaust and a K&N filter - and he ran 13.8-14.0s@100-103mph when we went to the strip together and he was a much much better driver. The Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo was maybe $2k or $3k cheaper (mostly due to the fact that Nissan never updated it) and it was markedly slower in a straight line, no 6 speed manual worse skidpad numbers and slower lap times.
As far as recorded US magazine tests, the 1994-1999 VR-4 beat *every* Nissan 300ZX TT it was up against in acceleration, braking, lap times and skidpad numbers. MotorWeek tested a 3,800lb 1994 3000GT VR-4 and hit 60mph in 4.9s and the 1/4m in 13.5@103mph, near supercar times in the mid 90s: th-cam.com/video/kBTwc8h-cnI/w-d-xo.html
MotorTrend did a huge test in 1995 called Virtual Velocity (its on motortrend.com) with the Supra, 3000, Z and RX7.
*1/4m Results by MotorTrend, 1995*
*1995 Nissan 300ZX TwinTurbo* 13.9@102.0mph
*1995 Mazda RX-7 TwinTurbo* 14.1@99.9mph
*1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4* 13.5@101.7mph
*1995 Toyota Supra TwinTurbo* 13.5@106.9mph
Stock to stock the Nissan loses pretty badly to the Mitsubishi in almost every performance category. Sure, it won plenty of tests but it just didnt have the speed its competion had.
Lastly, in Japan you could get a GTO MR which is a lightweight version of the GTO TT. The MR not only cost less than the fully loaded TT model but it was also faster. In 1994 BestMotoring tested the new MR model where it beat the legendary, lighter R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R over a mile in acceleration: th-cam.com/video/KbOKzHXbtL0/w-d-xo.html In '95 BestMotoring again tested the GTO MR where it ran 0-400 meters in 12.888s beating the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R: th-cam.com/video/KHPh3KT6BNM/w-d-xo.html
I’ve got one and its very comfy 4 long journeys, pulls nicely when you put your foot down and very reliable, it is a excellent GT car
Reliable 😂😂
@@burtonporter8437 I've had one for twelve years, it's been fine, if you don't service then you get problems. It's faster than almost anything I come up against and its comfy and for the cost of ownership I cant find anything with similar specs for circa 10k.
@@SuperDeadlen anything can be reliable if you don’t drive it. It’s fine to like them, I like bmws- it’s different to act like they are solidly built vehicles without expensive inevitable problems
@@burtonporter8437 I've daily driven mine for twelve years. I speak from experience. Stock and serviced they are fine, start modifying and its down to your mods.
@@SuperDeadlen can’t find any equivalent for circa 10k but can certainly find better....... BMW Z4 coupe, bmw 335i, Audi TTS, will all out perform it on comfort, reliability, running costs and literally everything else. I could point out more but I’ve made my point........ and I have, owned all of the above including a gto, rx7, supra, Impreza type r, evo 4 and 5, mr2 turbo, z4 35is.
My dad had a 3000GT SL when I was a kid. Green. 5-speed. He loved it, as did I, and he still talks about “that race with the Testarossa” to this day.
Well...unless it was upgraded, it won’t keep up with that testarossa...it’s firing on half the amount of cylinders and is way heavier
@@FlowmasterStang That’s...not the point lol
@@FlowmasterStang testarossa's are a straight 6 turbo/twin turbo and go's are a v6 twin rturbo?
@@nateboness9801 sls arent turbo
@@nateboness9801 testarosas are not a straight out v6 engine 😂
Haha, running over the magazine at the end!
Having owned 2 VR4 models, I can highly recommend this machine. Wonderful to drive as a GT vehicle. Massive power available through 3SX. Be prepared for performance vehicle costs.
I feel like people expect performance to be cheap with these cars. I don't get it lol. The potential of the VR4 platform is absolutely ridiculous, but people have not a clue. If done right, you can have a thousand horsepower, or more. There is one guy out there who has made 1304 AWHP, which is like 1500HP to the crank! I own a 93 VR4 and hope to build every single bit of it, after college. With the VR4 weighing the same as some modern supercars, it can compete now. My solution will be carbon fiber everywhere lol.
@@jonathonhebert7042 Never gonna happen. I have a high hp turbo car and i only drive it twice a month because it can explode every minute
@@TheAdatto Sounds like a personal problem to me. Why is your car so ready to explode?
Try telling that to this guy:
th-cam.com/video/qTwEo_v6AMM/w-d-xo.html
Or this guy:
th-cam.com/video/KfMKEUTU9A4/w-d-xo.html
Hell, maybe even Pampena himself:
th-cam.com/video/onMUh3Ajd_o/w-d-xo.html
I've got plenty of these....
@@jonathonhebert7042 Yeah... I doubt it. You'd pretty much have to build it from the ground up and then you might as well have bought something faster in the first place tbh
@@scotta5579 yea but same price as a bugatti?
When I was in high school my friend asked me to test drive a car for him, because he couldn't drive stick. I had never driven anything but a pickup, but there sat this low thing with a weird looking wing. I experienced boost for the first time, shifted into second and was like "holy shit I'm going 70!" He bought the that RT TT and we later converted the whole front end to a 99 vR4 and he let me take that car to my prom
What a nice story!
Nice
The brief of the car was 'a car that anyone could drive fast' which is probably the reason why it never struck a cord with the motoring press.
There's a great video of the GTO MR beating a Skyline GT-R in a drag race.
So these were quick cars out of the box, just ignore the squatting rear end in the clip.
th-cam.com/video/KbOKzHXbtL0/w-d-xo.html
There was this race as well that Best Motoring did. The Supra set the fastest lap but the 3000GT won.
I can agree it is "a car anyone can drive fast". Could almost call the 3000GT a cut price Porsche 959. Lol
th-cam.com/video/G3Tb2Iv1sTw/w-d-xo.html
Great videos you guys found. Don't forget about the Puma GTO which also proved its worth by beating race spec Skyline GTRs too
th-cam.com/video/ZZ5qVAx2CPU/w-d-xo.html
@@aaryeshg.6526 Repeat this race in the rain and the GTO would be even further ahead. AWD.
These were beyond 'quick' for their time, they ran near supercar numbers at half the price of $60k German/Italian/JDM 90s supercars. With a decent driver & launch even the 300HP/307lb.ftTQ 3,850lb 1g 1991-1993 3000GT VR-4s hit 60mph stock in 5.1 - 5.3 seconds when the featherweight Honda NSX was doing it in 5.5 - 5.8 seconds. From a standstill the VR-4 also beat its JDM rivals the Mazda RX-7 TT & Nissan Z32 300ZX TT.
By 1994 the 3000GT VR-4 was updated and made lighter and produced 320 HP/315lb.ftTQ with a shorter ratio 6 speed manual. MotorWeek tested a 1994 VR-4 and got 0-60 in 4.8-5.0 seconds and the 1/4m in 13.5@103mph, obliterating the Nissan 300ZX TT and Mazda RX-7 TT in a straight line on that show: youtu.be/kBTwc8h-/nI
In 1995 MotorTrend tested the 3000GT VR-4 against the Nissan 300ZX TT, C4 Corvette LT1 and Mazda RX-7 TT (all manual transmission cars) in an article titled 'Virtual Velocity', it's easily found online.
*1/4m Results*
*1995 Nissan 300ZX TT* 13.9@102.0mph
*1995 Chevy Corvette*
13.7@103.9mph
*1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4* 13.5@101.7mph
Also in 1995 Road&Track compared the Nissan 300ZX TT, Chevy Corvette LT1 and Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 & again the VR-4 bested it's JDM rival.
In 1999 Edmunds ran a VR-4 to 14.0@*105mph* saying it trapped as fast as a C5 Vette and was the third fastest car they had tested. Popular Mechanics ran a '99 VR-4 through the quarter in 13.44@101.79mph, a time still relevant in 2023.
Japan had the GTO MR, a lightweight VR-4, and on it's debut on BestMotoring beat the hallowed R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R over a mile in acceleration, ET and trap speed. It continued to be featured on BestMotoring through the mid-late 90s and ran a stock 1/4m of 12.888 beating the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R and averaging quarter mile times of 12.8 - 13.3 seconds, much faster than the all but the Honda NSX Type R and one other car. Links: th-cam.com/video/diYFFznI0uw/w-d-xo.html
m.th-cam.com/video/ZfUevCW7ezE/w-d-xo.html
Owners have gotten 13.2-13.3@101-105mph depending on launch and conditions. In the right hands the '94-'01 GTO TT/MR will give modern 2017-2021 cars a run for their $ in straight line acceleration let alone the competition it smoked in the 90s.
Just putting in my vote for a vid on the 300zx twin turbo if you can find a nice standard one 😁
The values on these are going insane. There are 2 NA models, with auto trans, available locally to me at super high end classic car dealers. They’re going for above 30k.
Agreed!
I'd love to see a 300ZX one too, though mine is a tad modified. :-)
Are the XX twin turbos any good ? They look amazing, I ave herd they have rust issues, not sure it that is true or not
@@jjperera3389 they do have rust issues if they aren't cared for properly and if your in the market for one now is the best time to grab one as they are steeply apprecting in value
It’s relatively easy to modify these cars to a reliable ~500hp at the wheels. (At least the 1994+ models) It takes about $3-5k in mostly oem parts. I ran one for years at 450hp at the wheels and surprised a number of 911 turbos of the 2000-2010 vintage.
"Not my words Carol, the words of Evo magazine" - Alan Partridge...
Trunk is actually deeper, its a false floor with a spare wheel and storage compartments below. It roughly twice as deep with a small hump in the middle for the fuel tank's hump and a mounting point for the spare wheel.
I absolutely love that last shot with the magazine - class!
I bought a GTO as a project car a few years back, sight unseen off Ebay because I am an optimistic idiot. I have just got it back on the road. Still got some niggles to sort out - engine mounts are shot, gear change needs looking at (new bushes for the clutch linkage and shifter on order) and the transfer case is now leaking so need to replace the seals on that, but honestly, I've been really impressed with it. It is my first experience of 90s turbo'd performance cars, and the 'stamp, wait, giggle, repeat' style of driving waiting for the boost to arrive is great fun. Part of the work done so far was coilovers and polybushes all round, and with those and the rear wheel steering it feels super planted through corners, that's probably the main sensation I'd associate with the car. And that is on cheapo ditchfinder tires fitted by the previous owner.
I'd like to make a comparison video between the GTO and my Jaguar XJR-s, as there are a lot of similarities between the two cars, even though they go about things so very differently. Both GT cars with enough sportiness to entertain when the right road presents itself, both around 300bhp, and mind bogglingly both were on sale at the same time (though the XJS by that point had already been around for 20 years).
I'm hoping the GTO will prove to have been a good buy as time goes on - when you look at what contemporaries like the Skylines, Supras and RX7s sell for now, it can only be a matter of time before people begin to show proper appreciation for the GTO and the 300ZX.
Great video as usual, really enjoyed watching! Cheers!
My favourite early Gran Turismo car was the Mitsubishi Gallant VR4, torn between the saloon & estate. Although it has to be said, the estate is probably one of the best looking estates ever! I'd love to see a review of that beast.
That an the Alfa sportwagon 156 !
The estate / wagon variant (named the Legnum) is indeed a fun car to drive. I owned one and they pull exceptionally well off the line. In a quarter Mile they hold their own against GTRs... even some V8s.
James, thank you.
That was a really good piece of filming, interesting and made me want to watch from start to finish.
For its age the 3000GT VR4, the way it is called here is an absolute dream. And it turns heads every time no matter where you take it. My red 1997 will be giving me joy for many many years.
Only the first gens were hard to make power, the second gens and onward with the 6 speed could handle current supercar power on stock block and trans. It genuinely is as tuneable as Gran Turismo.
I'm very lucky own one of these car, all do its the U.S. spec vr4, its almost the same exact car. Now I know you said you can't really mod these cars , but I beg to defer. These cars have an unbelievably strong engine block, and if you have the second gen, they came with a forged crankshaft. I have been able to make a respectable 450 whp with some decent modifications and drive it around reliably. I even compete with my vr4 regularly in time attack events. I also have friends in the U.S. making 900 whp on a stock engine block reliably but with heavy modifications. All though they we're not the best when compared to other Mitsubishi cars such as the evo or eclipse, I still think they are severely under appreciated. In my opinion, I think they make for a fine tuner car.
I agree 100%. Even Hennessey used a 3000GT for Pikes Peak! Wicked car
💯
I have a 1991 VR4 all original, everything works like the day came out of the factory, and even still smells new with only 72,000 mi. The build quality - materials - inside outside ... the urethane airplane paint shines... 30 years later you would swear this was a brand new car!
It starts runs and drives absolutely flawlessly, and is ultimate grand touring vehicle. I have taken it on 300 mile trips and arrived more relaxed than any modern sedan.
people who say these are unreliable Don't have the money to properly maintain them or bought a modified vehicle.
for the $12,000 I paid for mine, there's absolutely nothing that could come close! every single thing you look at and touch inside the engine or the interior screams of modern quality - and this is in a 30-year-old 1990s vehicle.
ive allways had 3000gt twin turbos, Great cars, ive also had many other performance cars and currently have a jag s type r, Audi S8 V10, Maserati, Quottroporte and a few others and I still love my 3000 even though its not the most fun to drive its a very capable car and gets alot of respect and admiration whenever im out in it!
I own an original Australian delivered 3000GT, all wheel drive, all wheel steer, twin turbo. I’ve owned many Porsche models and the GT is as good if not better. The GT is SO under rated as so few were delivered into Australia. Our versions had over 300HP, no active aero or bi modal exhaust, not speed limited and the one of the best active electronically controlled suspensions short of Lotus in the 80’s. Mine still works a treat, 30 years in service. These are a JDM legend car and until you actually drive one on twisty mountain roads, you don’t know what your missing.
I had a limited edition 1995 3000 GT VR4 Spider, it was an automatic hardtop convertible with a push of a button in 1995! Loved it for 17 yrs until it was sold.
Do the Mitsubishi starion. Mitsubishi’s 80s sports car
That would be so cool... He's just got to find one first 😂
@@jackj0nes there’s one on my drive but don’t think it’s in review condition 😂
First saw them on Jackie Chan movies. Never got to drive one.
@@biffo5645 There's two at a garage near me, both thick with mould and been sat for years. They look brilliant though
Picture the opening scene of a Jayemm on cars video - a guy pushing a Mitsubishi Starion up a nice country road, making fake wheelspin and car noises as he does it 😂
Can you find my favourite gran Turismo car
Suzuki escudo pikes peak
heresy! the Demio a spec is CLEARLY the best car in Gran Turismo :)
or the twin engine suzuki sedan that ran on pikespeak
That car was a beast! Wasn’t it like 800bhp at 800 odd kg? Sure it was the fastest car in the game by a mile
i remember how after the race ai would take over & crash on every corner XD
maybe not every corner but n rally tracks deifinitely would hit most of the corner's outsides
I don't know how you did it Jay but quite literally less than an hour after watching this video yesterday I saw a black JDL GTO parked on a side street two blocks away from my home. For context I should tell you that I live about a mile from Disneyland Paris and as a result there usually (in the pre COVID world at least!) is a rather constant parade of exotic and otherwise notable cars in and around the area. Even so I have never seen ANY Mitsubishi 3000 GTs much less a GTO in the entire 16+ years that I have lived in France ! Good vibes! that's all I can think of... Really good vibes!!!
You really do an excellent job of making intelligent, interesting and informative videos.
Always lived these. Yeah they were heavy, yeah they had too many electrics but.. Great engine, great drivetrain and one if the best 90s interiors ever made.
A brilliant GT car. If you're gonna keep it stock or near to stock, you're not looking at one as a track car and you take good care of it, its a GREAT car.
I've had my 97 VR4 for 15 years. Spent the last year daily driving it with 600+whp. I like it. *Shrug*
What mods did you do to have it running 600whp?
@@MrManBuzz All of them. But the power comes from EVO3 Big 16gs on E85 with all the boost.
@@twizted3k Are you on stock internals?
'Sniff.....sniff....sniff'.......yeah definitely smells of BS!
@@davekennedy6315 You can just check my channel. It's not some outrageous claim buddy.
Here is the interesting part. Even with their soft suspension they still can keep up with the other sport cars or maybe even beat them.
The sadness when you realised your green 1000bhp Mitsubishi GTO had dropped into the 900's because you'd caned it non stop and hadn't changed the oil. Heartbreaking for a kid.
I'm quite glad to see you enjoyed your experience with the GTO. I became enchanted with it in more recent Gran Turismo games (I was an NSX/ RX-7 fanboy for the earlier games), and have always seen through the shadow/ hatred since
Glad that it's not as bad as its reputation makes it out to be, and is in fact a good drive
I once heard a journalist say that the 3000GT was a car designed by engineers and a car engineered by designers.
I’ve always thought that was an apt description.
I have to be honest... I’ve always fancied a GTO/3000GT as they great cars. There the car for the person that knows what they’re talking about, with the knowledge of its capabilities. That’s how I’d describe a GTO, even if it’s a bit heavy.
Been binge watching your vids.
FYI it was the Fiat Coupe vid that roped me in, but been going through quite a few at a time.
With your filming background your presentation is top notch, but I also like how the humbleness of the channel. It is not OTT with music and dragging out too much with waffle or poor attempts at building tension like some of the bigger channels might.
Great stuff and keep making vids 👍
Much appreciated. I do my best to try and make it as much about the cars as I can
The weight mostly came from the luxury seats over 100lbs worth. Also it's wheels were really heavy. On top of that the headlight unit and fog lights were also heavy. The 4 wheel steering, active aero and electronic ride control made it even heavier. There's quite a bit that you can delete from the car that wouldn't ruin it's experience. Honestly modern tires, seats and wheels fixes most of the issues with weight. If you swap to a 6spd manual with closer gearing a basic tune you don't need more power beyond stock.
The key to upgrading and making this car reliable and powerful is finding a good 3S shop that knows what they're doing even if you have to drive 4hrs to get there and sleep on someone's couch.
I feel like Gran Turismo changed the market for used sports cars of the late 90s quite drastically.
you need to review a Nissan 300zx TT
@MGazT that's what mine is, room for the kids to come along with me. :-)
Love the Z. I was lucky, I owned a 1991 300ZX TT and also owned a 1996 Mitsu 3000GT VR-4.
The Z was more fun to drive, but I will say the VR4 is faster in a straight line. This was years ago, but I raced the two frequently. Took both to the strip, the Z ran a best of 13.88@102.92mph and the VR4 ran a best of 13.35@103.51mph, still have both time slips. If you race the two from a dead stop, the VR4 is about 2 cars ahead at 155mph when the Nissan hits it's limiter.
I do miss the insane pull the VR4 had, and am thinking of importing a '96 GTO MR.
That being said, the Z is an icon. If you're a JDM fan, the Z is the first one to cover; if it wasnt for the Z32 we'd still have C4 Vettes. Also, the Z looks insane modern.
Ok. Can we take a minute to appreciate Saint Metcalfe? How do we make that happen?
I've owned 8 of these cars in the past 8 years and currently own 4. 2 vr4s 1 fwd tt and an es.
I've been in all the 90s sports car and non give you the driving experience like a 3/s. They are wat ahead of their time. And people thinking they are too heavy.....your lose. The 9bs are small bit on healthy turbos and 14psi your still beating new cars. I got s cammed 9b car and a 15g supporting mods vr4 and it will hang with cars twice as expensive as mine from the showroom.. these cars are greatly under rated. But such a diamond in the rough and I love it.
LJK Setright liked the 3000GT. If it was good enough for him, it should be good enough for anyone.
I've been waiting so long for this video. To actually see the Lonsdale slip on's being worn has convinced me to go try on a pair next time I'm allowed out
Just in time, only last week I thought about various Japanese 90s sportscars, and this was one of them.
I have a 1991 Mitsubishi GTO, 1994 Supra and a 1997 Toyota Celica in my garage, and my GTO is way the most reliable of those cars.. It is going on 30 years old and everything functions in it and it sits original as the day it came out of the factory.. I also end up using that car way more then the other 2 because I find it much better to drive, the seat/driving position is better and it is a allround better car in my opinion.. Sure the Supra got hyped up because of those movie scenes, but I dont really think it is that a good car compared to the prices they are fetching today.
1994 VR4 & I really loved it but it was a bit expensive to maintain. A deep green color & wonderful tan leather. Still have it but unfortunately doesn’t get used as much as I’d like
Great video
Back when these cars first began appearing on the road, they definitely struck an exotic pose. I remember thinking they were as exciting to see as any NSX or 911 of the time. How they perform, however, remains a mystery to me...although I appreciate your handling of this review. I ALWAYS take motoring journalist opinions (especially negative reviews) with skepticism; the almost universal pan of the 86 cars is reason enough.
Well done as always👍
Very good review! I own a 92 GTO TT and I loved it. I've driven a RX7 FD, Supra MK4 turbo, R32 R33 GTR, R35, 300zx turbo but I still enjoy the GTO. It is heavy a bit eavy though although mine now weight 3,350-3400lbs.
I had a Galaxy white pearl 1992 3000GT VR4 in way back in 1995. Many many good memories with that car. A true all season touring car. She was very quick but heavy, not a true sports car like the 300ZX, RX7, or Supra, but as a highway cruiser and a every day driver she was magnificent. Many fond memories...at a perfect place in time.
Always good to see these on the road !
I used to own one of these, but a normal Mk2 with the active aero etc. Never had a problem with any of the clever bits, and it was a nice car to drive. Even came with cruise control for long distance driving, which was nice. I did eventually swap it for a TVR though.
if the car is in red i would be able to tell whether its a ferrari or mistubishi. it was so good in design very futuristic and supercar styling.
Cool vid. That's a trim level we never got here in the states. I had a Stealth R/T twin turbo back in the '90's. At the time it was the real deal. I still find myself looking for a well-sorted example all the time. I really loved that car and selling it off back in '00 continues to be one of my top-three automotive regrets. If I ever come across one that is in the right shape/price, I'd jump on it and daily it in a heartbeat.
I’m on my second, fool me once n all that! I love them for their comfort, I’m not taking it on track days or trying to race people off the lights so it’s ideal for motorway cruising and a little bit of fun on country lanes. Plus it does turn heads n you’ll never not be able to find it in a car park, much nicer than just another dull grey box, makes driving enjoyable so it’s well worth the money.
I'm a simple man and EVO magazine's page numbering system always made me think it was run by half-wits.
Never read it tbh. But Harry's Garage is pretty good.
evo was imo the best car magazine going from 2000-2015. each issue was more like a book of well written stories rather than just the latest car news, and the writers were all good lads who knew their stuff. sadly as it grew and the writers left for better things (top gear magazine, top gear usa, youtube etc.) it's just become really boring
I have a stack of old EVOs from 99-2004
I bought a new 98 3000GT VR4 and picked it up from the dealership December 10th 1998. Add downpipe, exhaust, turbos , injectors and aftermarket ECU, then you have way over 100 HP! 23 years later I still have it and still love it!!! Vroom Vroom.
_"Saint Metcalfe",_ huh? Good to see you respecting the correct order of things.✌️😉👌
This is it! also my dream car! (needs the red tho) This is the exact year I want. the 99 wing is a bit much. 97-98 was perfect.
I swear these cars are the most MISUNDERSTOOD cars ever made lol. It's a GT car. Repeat, it is NOT a sports car. It's a grand touring car. *It's meant to travel long distances in speed and comfort in all weather conditions* - it's a budget Skyline GT-R.
There are *three* generations of this car: *1990-1993 1G* 300hp/307lb.ft TQ, 5 speed, heavier, pop up headlights. This was the first generation, and many love it for all the gadgets like active aereo and exhaust options. As tested it did 60mph in 4.9-5.6s and the 1/4m in 13.6-14.0@99-103mph. It was as fast or faster than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, often running similar numbers. However, the weight tended to make the Mitsu end in last place despite having good numbers.
*1994-1997 2G* 320hp/315lb.ft TQ, 6 speed, got lighter every year, non pop up headlights. This gen is my favorite. By 1997 Mitsubishi had done away with all the electronic stuff like active aereo, leaving the car lighter and thus faster. As tested it did 0-60mph in 4.8-5.1s and the 1/4m in 13.2-13.6@101-105mph. The VR-4 with it's new power output and better gearing made it markedly faster than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo and Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo. It usually ran a better ET than the Toyota Supra Twin Turbo but the Supra trapped much higher.
*1999-2001 3G* Only cosmetic changes including a huge rear spoiler and new headlights. The VR4 stopped selling in the US in 1999 and finally died in 2001 in Japan. Overall it outsold most of its rivals.
I had a 1996 3000GT VR-4 with just a K/N drop in filter. 90,000+ miles but one owner car with all receipts and the guy was a surgeon. I ran consistent 13.3-13.5@101-104mph once I got the launch down. My average was 13.3-13.4@102-103mph.
The '94-01 Twin Turbo VR4s/GTO will out accelerate all of its rivals but the Supra (which would only pass from a dig well over 100mph), leaving the lovely Nissan Z TT and FD3 seeing only tail lights, especially from a dead stop.
*The Mitsubishi 3000GT should have been marketed against the BMW 8 series/Jaguar XJ/Acura Legend/Porsche 928/MB CL or SL coupes/etc as a cheaper faster AWD competitor* The car had GT in it's name for a reason. It's blistering fast in a straight line but not nearly as driver engaging as the Z32 or FD3; in Japan the car was marketed as a cheaper and just as fast/faster Nissan Skyline GTR and competed with a lot of cars including the 90s Mazda Cosmos.
*The big Mitsu is NOT meant to be driven like a 300ZX TT where you can shift in sync with the car and tackle apexes and tight corners nor can it cover a race track like the FD3* As far as "fun factor" the 3000GT series is only fun in a straight line and on long sweepers. It's fun, but it's missing that "feeling" you get from cars like the 300ZX and FD3, despite being faster in a straight line. It's not all about acceleration, and the others were just more engaging to drive - minus the Toyota Supra Twin Turbo which, imho, is the least engaging sports car of the 5 - which left Mitsubishi in a weird spot where Americans didn't understand AWD launches and the US kept trying to treat it like a sports car.
Look at the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 / GTO as a straight line missile that is meant to go anywhere in any weather. This thing will do 0-60 in under 5 seconds in pouring rain.
A friend of mine had one of these - it was pretty cool! Fast, comfy, with a (to my eyes) funky driver-centric cockpit with lots of mysterious buttons. Kind of like a Japanese Rover SD1 Vitesse. A good GT to do fast miles in.
I remember working in a mod garage back when I was 15/16 (2003 - 2004) as a valet and one of the mechanics had the tt one, he let me drive it around the yard one day so I could clean it, I remember thinking is this really happening and that I had made it, I remember my heart pounding and loving every bit of, I was nervous but the excitement was too much, looking back I dont know how he trusted me with it as I wasn't there for long, so grateful he did.
I've been waiting for this. Thanks James!
Stock for stock faster than its contemporaries, gorgeous car
That was a proper emotional rollercoaster in the beginning. Great video.
Bruh, what the hell, why are they so against the 3000GT?! I own a 93 VR4, and love it.
I guess that it wouldn't be a good 1st car, right?
@@Nickoboss29 A VR4 is probably not a good first car, unless you're pretty good with stuff. Mine actually *is* my first car, but I'm mechanically inclined, studying mechanical engineering.
I had a black 3000gt manual in my early 20s because of Gran Turismo... I really enjoyed it, super fast but I liked the mk2 MR2 that I had before more... I got a white JDM s2000 next then an Elise... not surprising I enjoy your content 🥰
So... would you recommend it as a 1st car?
@@Nickoboss29 if you can afford it yeah! be awesome!
It was always one of the Gang of 4 for me:-
Mitsubishi GT3000
Toyota Supra TT
Nissan Skyline R32 GTR and
Mazda FD35 (RX7)
Go Gang Of Five;
Nisan 300ZX Twin Turbo.
NSX
I never played the GT game, but my nephew did and he went a bit bonkers when I landed my 1997 GTO MR on the doorstep 15 years ago.
Was hunting around Japan for Skyline's, but they were mostly broken and the MR popped up and it was sort of a lot of car for not a lot of money, so the extra cash at the end of the day didn't hurt much either. Skylines and Supras are also expensive cars to run, just like the GTO is. But in saying that, mines really not given me any major problems over the years and I've put about 80,000km on it, stuff wears out but its never been a problem getting those parts either as the US has a huge aftermarket supply chain there still.
MR's straight from the factory, you get bigger brakes, ducted brake cooling and that's about it on the lighter Z15 chassis which does cut the weight down to about 1500kg on the scales, after that you could option in the ABS (which mine has) along with basically whatever you wanted on the very basics. This is simply because the MR did stand for Mitsu Racing and they are more or less what you bought if you're going to the track, so they simplified everything and you're not pulling out active systems, fancy suspension, sunroofs or exhaust stuff and would have ended up with your track car full of Bilstein, bigger turbos and a whole new fuel system anyway.
In a world full of automatic-everything anti-fun gear its still a real pleasure to just go for a drive, there's no warning systems, traction control, cruise control or much of anything but a radio and aircon.On any given day, you're probably the only GTO on the road anyone will see.
Nice one! Just missing the 300zx now
I must of not been the only one saying the special features of the GTO in perfect synchronisation with jayemm
Had this car for over 10 year's and I would say it's very reliable car. The engine is 4g63 in a v formation with 2 cylinders missing.
I have 1994 GTO MR in blue. I’m in the USA. I love the MR.
I'm jealous!!!! How does it run?
@@oldschoolninamain9138 it runs well. As good as a 94’ GTO can. The MR package (deletes) make it a little light and the lack of the AWS makes it more of a drivers car. Knowing it’s probably 1 of 20 left in the world in this color with the factory BBS wheels and the MR package is starting to become priceless.
@@johnsonrepp Ugh I wish I lived near you. I'm in the US also .
Had a '96 VR-4, I've always wanted a GTO MR. Yours sounds amazing. Hold on to that car and enjoy it, you literally have one of my dream cars lol.
I'm waiting another few years before I import one, I really want a '96 GTO MR.
True about Mitsubishi GTO: th-cam.com/video/ZQLdoQM3cJE/w-d-xo.html
Ah a GTO these are so uncommon nowadays. The kouki MR is even more rare but they see super under appreciated. Even nice examples go for only mid 30s here in Japan. It's ashame because at the time these cars rivaled even the BCNR33 with how technologically advanced they were.
2 on my road! One in red that looks great as standard with black 18’s on. The other in black with a lot of gold decals. 😌 the red one is still so cool. Love it.
Woah, someone else who loves the 3000gt, the mk1 Vr4 is on my dream car list
I bought my '93 VR4 a few years ago, all original and drives fantastic. Love it!
I've had mine twelve years, can't find anything to replace it with.
Other than the NSX, or the FD, given the chance I'd pick a 3000GT over the rest. I was just like you at 14 when GT came out and Mitsubishi in general, but especially the GTO was my favorite car. Also included, the Dodge Stealth RT. A few years before that, I was maybe 10-11? I remember asking for a 3000GT/Stealth model kit. Nobody could find one. So I got a Viper RT10 model kit. I was disappointed in a Viper kit lol. I wanted the Stealth!! And that was the pre-facelift models lol. Once the refresh happened, I was even more smitten!! Cheers!
I remember playing it in the original Gran Turismo, the only car I remember from that game. Fast AF in a straight line but turned like a 60's Detroit muscle car in the game. Great if you like to point and shoot but not if you like a balanced, well handling car.
8:17 Absolutely if you wanted to win at Gran Turismo, then you just got a Mitsubishi GTO until you got to the difficult races where you needed an R33 to win because the GTO would just understeer off track when pushed more than 9 tenths........ my teenage years were spent playing that game and reading Performance Car Magazine :)
Can you get someone to lend you a Nissan 300ZX please - overshadowed by the GTR but one of those cars that you just must drive IMO.
I would switch between the Mitsubishi GTO LM and the Nismo 400R so good
Like these and the 300zx which also got panned in the reviews. Seems like finding a nice one in either is rather difficult these days. So futuristic both of them
I really enjoy your live thinking through the drive commentary style
Well Done!
@JayEmm you keep delivering the goods.
Nice one!
Thank you.
Fantastic Video James!
Always liked these, I very nearly bought one but my budget wouldnt stretch to a good one or the cost of restoring a bad one!!
the single greatest gran turismo car! although I did enjoy my full spec'd up Honda prelude for a while as well.
Nice, I recently sold a 99 prelude 2.2 motegi with a manual box, my dream car, started smoking badly and couldn't afford a rebuild! Sigh
i always really like these. A neighbour had a red one with the earlier styling with pop-up head lights. It looked awesome.
Almost all sport cars look better with the pop-up lights (one except would be the Nissan 300ZX), and this one is one of the greatest examples of that...
I find pop-up headlights conflicting. They're both cool, and stupid/unnecessary.
Funny that, of all fast Mitsubishis, I tend to overlook 3000GT back in the GranTurismo 2 days, since I've always been an Evo boy (Makinen and all that). But I never think of 3000GT as a particularly bad car, if anything I kinda liked the look a little better in comparison with the equivalent FD3S RX-7 and R33 GT-R. One thing I didn't know back then, however, was just how advanced the 3000GT was. A victim of being too far ahead of its time like the current NSX? Probably. Nah, I like cars that are a little too advanced for its time.
Once upon a time Mitsubishi were great. True story
These cars turn into a different animal with a good boost controller , the small turbos can reach a good psi quickly , the stock psi is 8 , at 12 to 14 psi the a rather sprightly
Had 4.5 to 60 with 11 psi
I spent years lusting after a mk4 supra and when I got one I loved it, then I lived with it for a few months and it just didn't live upto what I thought it would be. But It might have now I'm 10 years older. Great content as always 👍
I have owned my 1998 Mitsubishi 3000 GT SL now for almost 16 years now. I love it! My husband wanted me to get a new car, but mine still looks brand new. I had the second 60,000 mile maintenance done. Right now it has 133,000 miles on it. I decided to put a new exhaust on it, since it is my daily driver. The paint is excellent and no rust at all. People tell me that it looks fast just sitting there. It is red with a tan interior and it rides really comfortable. I heard that there were only 17,000 of this year made. I guess that is why the parts are hard to come by, and right now everything is going up in price. That is why I am taking it in now for them to rebuild the engine! I would not get rid of it for the world!
I remember that in GT4 if you set a 3000GT up in a really understeery way it lost horsepower at a rate of knots, and would never be able to claim them back even with a double oil change, you had to buy another one.
I always liked the look of them. People forget that GT's aren't race cars, they are cars that are meant to be capable of getting you from A-B long distances in comfort and at a descent pace. They need to have descent luggage space as well when you are going on holiday to the South of France.
I remember in 1997, a family friend bought a 1991 Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo. I had a chance to have a ride in it as a 14yo. At the time I thought it looked like a mid engined Ferrari Testarossa/F40 with its pop up head lights and air vents. Very muscular and sporty looking and very very quick I thought as a 14yo in 1997. The quickest car I had been in at the time was 1996 BMW M3
i have a light blue one TT , never had an issue in 10 years i do lookafter it and change oil every 5k
This explains is why the twin turbo model was owned by a single person in my life when I was growing up ....a local mom. She WAS quite a looker though, possibly the best styling of the era...the most....mom supercar lite styling 90’s could give us
Always wanted one....with the pop ups etc.... closest i got was a Norris designs 200sx s13 with t28 turbo onboard. (290hp)
I looked at a very mint red one with all the kit (pop ups etc) in 2011 for £3k....
Well worth it. Absolutely showroom condition.
I just didn't have access to that kind of money although i did try....
Truth is tho - if i did manage to get it - i could not of afforded to run it... especially at that time when i was on jobseekers allowance!...
....sigh....will never forget that gto.
I think we might be the same person, almost. For me, it was the F355 and the 300zx, but the 550 and 3000gt are both utterly wonderful cars.
That very last clip 🤣🤣🤣
I'm glad you did the MR version as most people think the 3000gt vr4 is the ultimate version. Wrong.
I had a 1995 GTO MR for a few years, stuck some coilovers on it along with some decent brakes and it was great fun. Yes it wasn't all that nimble in the twisties but all in all I thoroughly enjoyed my ownership with that car.
Then full spec GTO/3000GT VR4 IS the untilmate version with the AWS, ECS etc.
I'm sorry to say but the MR is the budget version. He needs to review a full spec GTO with ECS and AWS working.
I have both MR and Full Spec if you don't believe me look in my videos.
The MR has coil overs. But the ECS is q better suspension for all around driving
@@paologarcia8541 The MR was quite a bit lighter because it done away with a lot of the electrical gizmos but was running the same power.
Lighter = Better in my eyes
Have been driving 3KGT's for over 20 years (both myself & my wife). Have owned over a dozen of them. Currently own a 96 Spyder & 2 97's. Like most any car, if maintained they can be very reliable. I put nearly 500k miles on a 95 I had with no engine overhaul just regular timing belt, water pump, tensioner, ect, regular oil changes and 1 transmission re-build. "Unreliable" is BS if you take care of your stuff it will take care of you. Bought the Spyder about 2 years ago w/14k miles on it ...has 25k now and plan on driving it for quite a while to come unless someone makes a really stupid offer on it. (Have turned down $30K.)
3000gt VR-4 a dream car. It is so exciting 🏁❤️😍
To own an old Mistu V6 you must get good at using a multimeter and electrical diagrams. The many electronics, computers and sensors made this car finicky and the ECUs tend to go bad. But it's not as bad as, say, a Jaguar or Audi.
What about a BMW? Now those are an euro car you either love or hate lol.
A very fair appraisal. I ran one for over ten years, and my memory is of a beautiful car, a fast comfortable cruiser, but ruinously expensive to run (>£2k per year). Fortunately, I've averaged down cost over the last six years running a mk1 MX5 which is £95/yr to insure, and has never missed a beat in the whole time I've owned it. It's a close call, but on balance I'm happier with the MX5. At least I can enjoy driving this flat out without killing myself.