In the late 90's i did a coast to coast road trip in a 1992 3000gt vr4. We drove from Ohio to New York, turned around and drove to Texas and then California and then back to Ohio. We took 2 weeks to make the trip stopping and staying wherever we wanted to visit. The car never stuttered once, we hit 140 mph dozens of times and it didn't need nothing but premium fuel to keep her going, a car has a certain place in your heart after a trip like that, i'll always be a 3000gt fan.
As a guy that grew up playing Gran Turismo as a kid, I have always wanted an FTO. Always thought they were so much better looking than Civics or Integras too. Also, it made me sad seeing that Ralliart 4g Eclipse. That is what the car should have been!
I grew up on Gran Turismo 3, so I totally understand... and yes! The 4g Ralliart had SO much potential. Now I have to do all of the work Mitsubishi wouldn't lol
@@DrewMestel Lol, I've had this exact same thought but with the 3g Eclipse. It was my first car and always wanted to AWD/4g63 swap one. Not a cheap option though unfortunately.
i have a 4g eclipse gt and my current dream is to eventually turn it into a modern 4g eclipse ralliart, hopefully one day ill have the money to make it happen 🙏
Fans of Gran Turismo 1 & 2 will remember the FTO and it's overpowered sibling the FTO LM as fun little track monsters. As for the Mitsubishi Starion, fans of the Cannonball Run II should remember it as the car Jackie Chan drove in the movie.
I started with Gran Turismo 3 as a child, but I still vaguely remember the FTO as as a car nerd. And yes! Quite a few others have now mentioned that cameo as well. I was not aware myself. Good stuff!
i recently brought an FTO GPX for 6K NZD, Love it so much. The sound is what drew me to it, that small displacement V6 that screams to 8200rpm (STOCK) is just amazing to me.
Very cool Auto "history lesson"!🚗 Enjoyed following the journey, esp that retractable hardtop! Nice touch with the "honorable mentions". Yes, more, more!
FTOs are absolutely sick cars. I have a 1.8L Gen 7 Celica, and that's regarded as a rather underwhelming car compared to the GT-Four 6th gen, but I can tell you its really good. The FTO weighs a lot less than the celica, and with MIVEC it has more power. I can guarantee its a really fun car even without driving one
I appreciate the insight. I enjoy hearing a take like this, especially backed by experience with cars from the era. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
@DrewMestel well since you've already done mitsubishi, best to go to the other 5 japanese brands as they have tons of home market vehicles we didn't get.
That's my 3000GT Spyder shown on your computer monitor, but it's not a VR-4. I've always found it so odd that people immediately assume it's a VR-4, especially given how I've chosen to modify it (i.e. slammed, full face wheels, a roof box, etc....not exactly "performance" oriented mods, lol). Of the 1,034 Spyders they made between '95-'96, there were 604 VR-4's built and 430 SL's built. Mine is of the rarer (FWD/non-turbo) variety. Anywho, still cool to see you feature it all the same. 🤙
I'm glad you found your way to my video and got to see your ride there! I honestly picked yours for the opening photo since it's vastly more photogenic than the majority of 3kGT's in entirety. Beautiful car man, such a gem... and it appears that you take phenomenal care of it. Any future plans/goals?
Jackie Chan at one point was sponsored by Mitsubishi and he drove around unique , almost concept looking cars. You can see the unique ones driven in the movies.
He drove a Starion in the movie Canonballrun. Various Evos in different movies. Most famously the yellow Evo 6 in Thunderbolt or the white Evo 7 or 8 in Who am I? He was a spokesperson for Mitsubishi. And because of that, in the Street Fighter scene of the movie City Hunter, they had to change the name of the character E. Honda to E. Honde.
@@DrewMestel he was stopped at a red light and I was coming up behind him. First thing I noticed was the GTO strip on the rear deck lid. At first I figured it was aftermarket, but then I pulled up next to him and the driver was on the right side. I don't usually get the opportunity to see too many JDM-only imports cuz I live in remote northern states, so yeah, that'll be something I'll never forget.
Watching your videos are truly informative about about vehicles as a car guy myself I really appreciate these informative videos thank you for your hard work
I truly appreciate your appreciation for interesting information and the effort that goes into the fine details.Thank you for watching! Means a lot. More to come.
Those 3g eclipses were super popular in their day. I had two coworkers with V6 models and a friend with a 4cyl that did his up with a full blitz style kit, roof scoop and blue neon street glow kit lol. The early 00's were something else when it came to the cars man, you had to be there. My mom got pulled over for having LED windshield squirters lol
The 2000's were definitely something! Haha that's for sure. And yeah, I've owned 2 and still have one now. Doing a build series with my 3g here on RU-vid, slowly but surely. 👍
3:47 The SL and VR-4 Spyder were in 95 and 96 only, no 97 model was made. All other information perfect, glad to see the 3S platform getting more love.
I think in my head I was saying until 1997. lol But I appreciate the comment and clarification.👍 I know all of the year ranges for the 3S are wild and debated as well, so it's all good.
21:36 I do recall in good detail that Mitsubishi was working on the 4 Gen platform to be a performance hybrid. It was to have a 250 hp ICE with a 200 hp electric motor “booster” that you could hit like N2. They couldn’t get this to work (or at least in a practical warranty worthy way) and released the 4 gen as we see it today. An underperforming, front wheel drive Z chaser.
I had a 94 Stealth RT\TT and it was such a good car. Martinique Yellow Pearl paint, '99 3000GT front bumper and headlights, 20" gloss black Terminator Cobra wheels, removable glass roof, 6 speed manual. I heard how terrible the reliability was and had no problems whatsoever. Miss it.
I lived in Japan from the early '90s all the way to 2013. I drove so many fantastic vehicles there. Loved the Shogun the most, it was super capable, plus some of those 4x4 vans that they made with seats that all turned around. Awesome cars. I think the Starion was featured by the Japanese racers in Cannonball Run. It was super high tech.
In case no one’s brought it up yet…I’d be interested in seeing you cover the 2006-2007 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart. It’s a super rare trim level for the mid-2000s Galant, and one that I took a liking to when I stumbled across it during a Google search. (Really wish we had way more options for sedans of all types in today’s market, tbh. Crossovers and SUVs - while important and unique in their own ways - should never make up the bulk of a manufacturer’s lineup.)
I once owned a Mitsubishi FTO -gr 95 model way back 2005 - 2013. It was my first car and I love the roar of it. I only sold it because of the rarity of parts. I hope Mitsui would create a new hybrid FTO.❤
Great video! I knew about all cars except the 3G EV and 4G Ralliart. It's sad to see Mitsubishi's good era is pretty much ended, but I can say Mitsubishi still has a big market share in Asia. It's still the leading car brand in several countries, however often overshadowed by Mitsubishi Fuso's and pickup trucks that are kept for ages.
Beautiful designs. Strong bodies; just needed higher power figures and developed to make them super reliable, as with the rally cars, Lancer Evo's and Dakar Pajero's! Loved the GTO, All wheel drive, hardly any need to brake, just grip and push through all the corners and power down the straights!!!
Interesting to learn about the Eclipse models as we did not get them in Australia. But we got a fair few that never got exported to other markets, even some models exclusive to Mitsubishi Australia. (Some of them japan kept for themselves but importing sporty models to Aus has always been a common oddity.) Cordia GSR Turbo. RalliArt and VR-X Magna. 380 TMR Supercharged. Lancer EX GSR Turbo. Sigma GSR Turbo. Colt A150 Turbo. RalliArt Colt turbo. Legnum VR4 wagons. VR4 galants and the AMG variant. The E10 to E15 Galant/Sigma Turbo models, Very difficult to find info on these. RVR Turbo hyper sports gear. 2 door EVO minivan. Delica Turbo 4X4 Super Exceed. Minica Dangan ZZ and Turbo ZEO.
Yeah, the differences between global markets can be staggering and its cool to see. Thanks for sharing that list. Many are being covered in part ii, coming very soon.
As a kid of the 70’s I saw all of these. Expected to see the Cordia turbo in there as well. As for the FTO that everyone seems to like, it was front wheel drive which was a turn off. The Starion being RWD was the right configuration if you were only driving two wheels. Great video that was really enjoyable
There are definitely quite a few lesser known or rare models to discuss in part 2. And yes, I definitely agree in regards to the concensus on the FTO. Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts. 👍
If youre interested in the appearance of the 3rd gen eclipse, you can gsx swap it with a rear diff and driveshaft and other subframe goodies, or you can save a few steps and just buy a tubular rear subframe. alot of times if people already have the parts they dont swap the later vehicles, it ends up being easier to keep it in an eclipse, colt, evo, or even a 3000gt/stealth roller. Ive heard of people doing AWD swaps it with later models as well. I think people would even rather have a convertible 2G with GSX drivetrain than a 3g eclipse.
Yeah, I definitely plan on doing an AWD eclipse build eventually. I already know a handful who have, so i have some resources fortunately. Likely will just go the tubular rear subframe route and a fuel cell so I don't have to find a 2g tank to swap in. (That's also required.)
@@DrewMestel I think where is the gas tank and drive shaft going is an underrated question when folks consider AWD setups that arent there from factory, along with brakes and axels. I have a buddy that just moved on to a spyder for the reasons that you mention.
Excellent video, brother. I just (regrettably) sold a 1988 3 door Pajero. I've had an FJ62 Land Cruiser and I think the Pajero was much more capable off road. It was also way more reliable and cheaper/easier to maintain than my Land Cruiser from the same year. I think Land Cruisers have gotten so high priced because people are buying a name and an image. The Montero/Pajero is gonna be the next hot truck. Also, in high school I had a Starion but it proved to be kinda fragile. I really liked it but it was too much for 16 year old Matt to maintain.
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching. I was very fortunate to see a bunch of Pajeros recently at Mitsubishi Owners Day (my last video upload) and I definitely think they are so capable that they will become increasingly sought after. Thanks for sharing!
it is my life goal to one day own or at least drive in real life a GTO VR4 Twin turbo. that car is legendary and from since the first Gran Turismo it captured my heart to this day.
Great video! I'm sure I enjoyed driving the 4-wheel drive eclipse in a Grand Tourismo game? handled beautifully if memory serves correctly so atleast we got to live a dream for a moment...
You have managed to show me one car I hadn't heard of... and it was a concept. You have earned yourself a like though. Well done. Edit: Ok, so I hadn't heard of the honorable mentions either. That AWD turbo version of the 4G would have been nice. Once they introduced the version with the new grille, the car looked good and I had no problem with that V6 but there should have been an AWD option and it was wrong to release an Eclipse with no turbo four cylinder option.
I truly wish the 4g Ralliart came to fruition as well. Definitely a formidable option, even to this day! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
I have a 98 GTO MR, rarer than rare, it’s the 5th I’ve owned and the best by far. I grew up from middle school working along my dad in a Mitsubishi parts department so obvious I’m biased, but the VR4 is so slept on, even the galant VR4 is an insanely good car. Post 2000 Mitsubishi ceased being Mitsubishi.
The VR4 Spyder was so hot in the 90s. That was THE car out of all the big 3. But they were soooooo rare. Ive only ever seen 1 in my 29 years of life. I remember the supra, 3000gt, 300zx, and eclipse being soooo hot in the 90s. Also the 2g eclipse spyder was super popular too! Good compromise since you couldn't afford the 3000gt Spyder
I do remember most of these cars. I was a young adult when Mitsubishi was hitting their stride in the late 90s. I owned a 97 Eclipse GSX. Bought it brand new and sold it in 2000. Not a day goes by that i dont kick myself in the ass for selling that thing right before Fast & Furious sky rocketed the price of them.
It was an era that was just before my time, but I got to experience it at some capacity. You owned one of my goal cars to aquire in my collection one day. You've got good taste! Thanks for sharing.
That mitsubisi pujo Evolution SUV is one of my favorite. Whenever I'm able to get it in Gran Turismo 4 or 5 I buy it one of those collectors that I have to have in my garage whether I drive it or not the only cool SUV in the game😅
Probably the beast- the Mitsubishi Carisma, basically the Lancers twin. I have a 2000 Carisma with a 1.8 GDI, and it'll make you forget the evo exists.
I have a 2006 Eclipse. I like the body style. I traded in a 1996 Eclipse for it. Not sure if that was a good idea but I am late to the car game. I was looking for "sporty" and economy. My 2006 is good at both. Basically, a nice-looking grocery getter. I have other cars and trucks now. Of note for this video a 2019 Tacoma. I like the styling. The auto Transmission is its weakness in my opinion. I traded a 2012 Tacoma when I got it. Then there are my two classics. A 1969 Mustang and a 1987 Buick Grand National. Another truck, 1986 GMC "square body". It's rough and Traffic gives me a wide birth, which I like. It looks like it would be at home in the "Road Warrior" movie. It needs some work. Hard to start, I think it needs a fuel pressure regulator. Thinking of taking out the bench seat and putting in buckets. I might even add AC at some point.
As much as many people, myself included, like to give the 4g a hard time... it's honestly a understandable and fair choice for a fun grocery getter. No worries!
The Starion/Chrysler Conquest is such an underrated car. One of the best looking sporty coupes to come out of the 80s The 3rd gen Eclipse was such a disappointment, instead of a true successor, we got a rebadged Dodge Stratus "R/T" coupe with a lazy asthmatic V6 Defenition of the word : Dodge = to avoid.
It was a Chrysler Conquest TSI not a Dodge. The car that replaced the conquest from Dodge was the Stealth which was their version of the 3000GT which was not mentioned.
We often blanket statement Plymouth/ Chrysler/Dodge of this era, but yes Chrysler may of have been a better more accurate representation. And the Dodge Stealth actually was mentioned @13:25 as the sister car of the 3000GT.
@@DrewMestel Sorry, I missed the short reference to the stealth. The Conquest was the main point, it wasn't just best representation of the car because it literally said Chrysler Conquest on the name plate attached to the car. It was small but there none the less. I owned a blue '89 so I am quite sure how it was known, labeled and sold. It was never referred to as a Dodge or Plymouth and not sold there unless it was a Chrysler dealership also.
Someone in my hometown here in the UK had a red 3000 GT Spyder, it was absolutely immaculate, it even had all of the hydraulic lines redone. When it came time to sell it nobody wanted it. He ended up selling it for £5000 just to get rid of it.
I actually just saw a Mitsubishi Chariot not too long ago for the first time. Obviously not that variant, but still interesting nonetheless. Thanks for sharing that info I was not aware of. I'll look into it. 👍
When mentioning the cross-branding of the Starion and the 3000GT, I'm surprised you went with the 86/BRZ example as the final one instead of keeping it Mitsubishi themed and going with the Eclipse/Laser/Talon trio.
Heres one you never heard of. The 1989 Mitsubishi HSR-II concept car. Supercar looks, and tech that was way ahead of it's time. It had active aero before active aero was even a thing on any vehicle. Even had rear flaps that would come up to help with turning or stopping.
I love the throwbacks.. I got my ass handed to me by the Dodge Conquest turbo. I had a wimpy Toyota Celica GT.. 115-120hp.. I wasn't savvy back then on engines and horsepower torque.. I fell in love with that Conquest that same day 😅😅😅😅😅🏋🏾🏋🏾🏋🏾🏋🏾🏋🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Much appreciated, my good sir. 👊 and that's quite a past collection! Definitely trying to get my hands on/build a GSX. My initials are literally DSM, so I must. 😆
I had a friend back then that had that exact peal yellow model. I thought it looked great but thought they only looked sporty. That's until I actually got in the car myself.
I had a 2.0 V6 FTO in the early 2000s as they were sold in the UK as well as many RHD markets. My late father had a starion un the late 80s early 90s. Im English Clarkson had a Starion in an early Top gear episode around 05 in 1 of the very 1st cheap car challenges he ended up blowing the engine.
The FTO was very common in UK but they were very prone to rust, same with the Starion they are a rare sight nowadays. I have seen a few Pajero Evos before but they were always rare, as for 3000gt spiders I have seen 2 at a UK car show, one was original in pearl white (stunning) the other was a homemade conversion
Yeah, there's an FTO that was for sale near me in the states believe it or not and it was terribly rusty, though save-able. And wow, 2? If they were VR-4 Spyder's that's wild.
@@DrewMestel worth noting Eclipses are just as rare in UK as the FTO is in USA As it was a joint venture with Chrysler they never made it to Europe, or if they did in very limited numbers, the only eclipses I've seen here were all replicas of Brian's 2G from Fast and Furious (replicas of varying quality lol )
I think I see what you mean. A performance SUV of any kind from the Ralliart team I think could sincerely redeem some of their credibility. They recently did a Ralliart variant of the Eclipse Cross with zero performance increase... missed opportunity honestly, but perhaps they didn't want to waste their time on such a strange chassis. It would be nice to see their touch on something new.
@@DrewMestel I'm wondering if it has a similar suspension design as the evo, if it does, it would be so easy for Mitsubishi to do. But yeah, it could help get them back on track.
10:03 caught me out there, the late 90's FTO has FF drive. Being that made it instantly off the list for me back in the day, ended up with a 3 series BMW.
Totally understandable. I feel like it's appearance suggests a incline six RWD, or 4 cyl turbo. I definitely like the body style quite a bit personally.
I saw that concept in that green color in a magazine when I was a kid around that time....Ive been trying to find pictures of it now I know what its called thanks.
@@DrewMestel yeah. I think they never be back like before. After what happening right now in the automotive industry like all those Corporations and switching to EV's i don't see Mitsubishi going back like before. Since they ended all the icons that rise the brands name, i knew that they going down hell.. 😔 Logically, who stupid enogh to ended products that make the brands name famous and recognizable!!! 😔😩
You talk about the Mitsubishi that can find in the vidoegames the "underrated" ones but wheres are the forgotten ones like the Mirage, the Colt, the Galant, the Delica Space, the RVR
Completely valid point! A part ii is coming with the deeply forgotten models, including all of the ones you've mentioned. 👌Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I've seen a couple vr4 spyders in my day. they're always incredible. I wanted one back in teh day, still do, but i can't afford it. they're well out of my price range.
I hear you. Definitely an incredible vehicle with a steep price point. My dream is to be able to collect and share rare vehicles such as these with everyone so we can experience the obscure in raw detail.
Yeah, definitely seems like a spicy car during the time it was released. I feel like by today's margin it would surely be at least quite fun and spirited to drive now.
