Absolutely love this car. My mom had a 92 vr4 and I remember her driving me to school In late 90s. I thought I was the coolest kid at the pick up/drop off. Also, my mom taught me how to drive standard in that car. Heaviest clutch I felt till this day. Surprisingly the car is still in the family.
Back in the 90s when they were new the 3000GT was the coolest Japanese sports car we got in the US. It wasn't the fastest but for the time it had a ton of high end features. I miss the days of Mitsubishi making cool cars.
My dad has an ULTRA clean example of a 95 Spyder VR-4 in black he's had for 15 years. Upgraded to around 500HP. It's amazing to drive with the top down and confuses everybody as to what it is being so rare.
I have a base model ‘97 and even with half the horses of the VR4 it’s still an absolute blast of a car. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. VR4s exploded in value recently, so I’ll probably never be able to afford one, but it’s one of my dream cars.
The fastest I've ever been in a car was one of these. 143 mph. My friend had one and let me drive. I cannot thank him enough for the experience about 18 years ago. Still remember every minute to this day
Same . A friend of mine had a friend whose uncle owned a Mitsubishi dealership & he had a cherry red spider. He gave us a ride in that thing and I could have swore we were gonna liftoff lol. He must have had every possible performance upgrade available for it at that time. All the HKS electronics were mounted in the middle console neatly giving it a stock look. Still to this day I've never felt torque like that or went as fast in a car ever. Man what a time for sports cars here in the US. Quite an era
My 94 3000gt vr4 was and always is my favorite car I’ve had and currently own. First year for the six speed and the aftermarket is so elusive and alluring I fall in love every time I drive to work, go for cruises, or just sit in the driver seat in the drive way.
@@mankind8088 Correct me if I’m wrong but I think the 3000 in the name stands for the displacement, it’s got a 3.0 v6. Would be cool if they made a new “GT” like if it has a 4.0 liter engine, it would be a 4000gt. Etc.
I'm more of a domestic brand guy.....but in high school I envied me some Mitsubishi products lol. Buddy of mines first car was a 88? Starion. We started driving in 2000 , Thing was flippin awesome. Especially the interior. So sad they got away from that recipe. Awesome video and the owner didnt flake the ride along!!! lol
It wasn't unreliable. It was morons jacking up the car by oil pan. Pickup tube was too close to bottom of oil pan. We have few in 300,000+ range on original motor on forum's. I've had mine since 07. Had 1 Engine rebuild because it was too old and poor maintenance prior to me. 70k I put on the old motor. Bought at 130k. So it's 198k when rebuilt motor. Turbos l had on it were like 30 years original to the car! Fords turbos don't even last 40k miles... Transmission is bullet proof. We went through it. But nothing major. My 93 ECS works still. Just needs correct struts. Now it's 15g billet turbos.
I'm glad to hear it, but I gotta say, I worked at a Mutsubishi dealership in the mid-90's and these cars had a bad reputation with even us. We hardly sold any 3000GTs, mostly Galants and Eclipses, but if you walked around to our service department it was always 3000GT's being worked on. At any moment there would be as many in there as we sold in a month. I'm like how is this, we're only sending Eclipses and Galants out the door, where are they? Service dep guy says "they're on the road, running". That's just the regular 3000GT, the VR4 was worse. Anybody that bought one of those should have paid half price, cause half the time it was gonna be back in the dealership.
@@dm0065 I don't know what service they were doing but I know there was a recall for them but it was kind of minor. You should have probably figured out what the service was for. My knowledge comes from experience and I know a big mechanic that solely works mostly on these cars for over 20 years his name is Ray pampena He usually mentions about the oil pan and doing the timing belt service. Those were like his number one thing. He build daily driver's, Sleeper's & High Horsepower applications. So I am assuming those customers were just picky. Because we don't have many weak spots on these cars. Maybe it was the lifter chatter? We deemed that as normal. They all do it. I am sure I would of also had electrical gremlins by now. None & no parasitic drain.
@@jdmglobalwarehouse exactly it's not like a BMW from 02 or newer where you keep feeding it parts and it just keeps breaking. You just need standard maintenance timing belt water pump check your oil pan when you do your oil pan gasket make sure your pickup tube is in good condition.
@@1XSTEALTHTWINTURBOX1 That's good to hear. I'll tell you, I got to drive a beautiful Pearl Yellow VR4 then a few times. It seemed so advanced it was like a spaceship, and was SCARY fast, at least by the standards of the day. Wish I'd had the money to buy it. It was amazing back then, and do much fun. I figured if I was rich I'd buy one and whatever on the maintenence, it would be worth it. So I'm glad those fears were overblown.
What's funny is compared to most modern transverse V6 cars and especially a lot of modern turbo cars, it's not even that hard to work on. It was ahead of its time in having a cramped and complex engine bay as well! The reputation is just a holdover in comparison to other 90s car I think. Amazing vehicle and great video!
I completely agree. I have a 92 europe version, that i bought as a project car as only the shortblock was in the car. Rest was in boxes. Took me a wook to fully service and reassemble the car. Had absolutely no issues while doing it. Easier that some VAG cars I have worked on.
@@802Garage you know it 😁. As I live in Denmark, rust is somewhat an issue, so the bolts and guides kind of get stuck while trying to persuade the front into service position hehe
I’ve always appreciated these cars…that’s nuts it went for $65k then! It’s a shame they don’t make a comeback with it to compete against the Mk5 Supra and new Z.
My friend had a n/a 300zx and even that was a blast. Just a cool car to be in, a real JDM dream unlike anything we had ever seen in our town. Drifting rotaries in the rain just loving it
These two plus an SC300 were the cars my bros salivated for in high school. Currently rocking an MS3 which seems like the best option given reliability/age/power. I miss 90's JDM like a rocket... 🚀
I dont know why he says they are "extremely hard to come by" I see a pristine VR4 with all its working features everyday in my garage! seems common to me ;)
I bought a 98 SL Dohc five speed with 169k miles 2 years ago, I daily it and it hasn’t given any me any problems! The only thing that went out was the clutch after a year of owning it, probably since I learned to drive manual with it. Put in a stage 2 over a weekend and So far it’s been awesome!
I have a 95 owned it since 2001. Very reliable. I still daily drive it today. Best most reliable car I have ever owned. No rust on it even today. Everything still works.
Hey I randomly ran into this guy a few months back, we were looking for Cars and Coffee but the date randomly changed. Nice to see your car being featured 💪🏿
I had the base 1998, and even that one was kind of a nightmare to work on. It had HORRIBLE space issues. It looked roomy without the DOHC and Turbos, but it wasn't.
@@FUNKOfilms well, that's mostly what I meant, all the piping. Also having to remove the valve cover and air manifold to access the alternator was annoying as heck.
@@mikearisbrocken8507 maybe it's different for the SOHC. I had a 93 DOHC and replaced the alternator twice and all I had to do was remove the driver side wheel and loosen the tensioner. It wqs pretty easy in my opinion.
Used to see a black 99' vr4 hardtop pickup a kid from school when I was in High school and I also detailed a 95 VR4 when I was 15 and took it for a joy ride !! These were such cool cars and extremely ahead of there time with the active aero 4 wheel steer , adjustable suspension etc..
Growing up my family was always into muscle cars, but as a young kid Amy Grandma’s neighbor had a red 3000GT and I always thought that was the COOLEST looking car. They’re looks are timeless!
Mitsubishi the company is much larger than just their auto company branch, Mitsubishi is in heavy industrial products, A/C equipment, finance banking, chemicals, etc. They're a very successful company and have been slowly getting their auto segment back in order.
LOL Mitsubishi is not focusing on cars.... Because they do not make enough to justify producing them.... They aren't dying. They are making BILLIONS still producing numerous industrial needs. Dummy.
Hands down my Favorite car for sure. I have a 1995 3000gt Vr4 with the glass roof in the classic Solid red color. I went on a drive on a 96 vr4 when I was 13 years old and have been absolutely hooked since
For the love of God can SOMEBODY give David a fast one of these?! He always drives the most modest versions of these cars and it's cool but damn, I would love to see what he'd do driving a 600awhp+ tuned 3000GT.
As someone who owns a fast one of these, no. Can't recommend a fast one these days, where I would have in the past. Something major breaks every year and parts are getting impossible to find.
That dude owns the cleanest 90’s Mitsubishi’s and actually has the knowledge to back it up. Met him at a few car meets in Jersey, great to see him on these car reviews!
Dude! Back in the 90s I dated a girl who's mom owned a VR4! It was awesome! I'll say this, it didn't work out with the daughter, but the mom loved me! At the time I had a 240SX SE, so we got along great
Awesome vid! I still remember when you posted that vid back in 2013. Folks on the forums where upset that the car you reviewed was a bad example lol. Personally I have a SL thats been my daily since 2010 and a VR4 that ive owned since 2012 thats mostly a weekend car. Still love them!
I believe this is a underrated JDM car ! My friend has one VR4 and it’s super bad and it’s a daily ! I really want you to review his car, his is 1992 and it’s dope
I worked for Mitsubishi at the HQ in Socal back in the 90's. They had issues with the top mechanism and I remember there being a row of at least 50 of these just parked in the storage yard of the HQ, which were all buybacks. Even with the issues, they were amazing cars to drive at the time, pioneering a lot of features that we see as common today. I loved my time working there (and my pick of company cars each year), the company had a great vibe and we were all excited over the lineup. It's sad to see what Mitsubishi has become in the US, it's now a company making mediocre cars for credit challenged people, and not a performance model to be found.
You need to review the 4G Eclipse GT. It's such an underrated sport car and doesn't get enough love and it doesn't deserve the hate that it's gotten/getting and it's actually starting to get some performance mods finally! If you lived near me I'd let you borrow it and use it for a review lol
Drove a bone stock one in similar condition, it was the closest thing next to other old cars I’ve had the opportunity to drive when it came to living and experiencing the 90s! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time along with other cars but whoo is it going to be a challenge!
Im 6' 2" and owned a first gen so let me tell you those cars are definitely made for short people haha. I could barely fit my feet under the dash but it was fun to drive!
When I was looking for a second car this was on my radar along with z32 but ultimately went with the z32. Definitely will get one eventually but want a 944 and a sc400 first
I had a 1992 sc400 was a awesome car the color was a dark blueish green great car wish I still had it and in 1994 I had a 1990 twin turbo 300zx and in 1999 a 1991 non turbo z
Good choice. I owned a vr4 and 300zx TT at the same time. The z is better. The vr4 drives like a mk1 Audi TT, quick spool but weak top end. The z is way better too end and tbh more fun to drive
My first car was a red 95 Dodge Stealth (pretty much the same car as the 300GT). It was the base model, not the RT, but was still a fun car! 03 Mustang GT -> 19 Fiesta ST after that
Back in 2005 I bought a base 93' 3000GT as my first car. I mean yeah Auto, front wheel drive. I still have it in the garage and I can't get myself to sell it. Still runs, drives. Still love it
You know my first generation Viper, which I bought brand new, had a sticker price less than this Spyder! That’s crazy money for that no wonder people didn’t buy many
When us 90's kids get to be in retirement age and we have really expendable income there is no telling what your clean original cars that we wanted when we were young but never could afford.
Why even write this kind of question… Winner or loser… This car can’t be a loser by any means. I have this car for 7 years now. It’s my beloved car. I feel this car.
Damn this guy has a lot of charisma I hope he majors in communication or something that uses his communication skills and knowledge to his advantage. The 3000GT VR4 is sick, but the one that's the coolest is the one with the rare wing.
@@terrabnadia1793 Easy to work on, at least, the 4G63. They aren't as bad as people make them seem...people just put out high hp and high rpm builds on these little motors and expect them to hold together forever. I'd ge the Eclipse, if you want it...a GSX is only going to get more and more expensive to buy and run as time goes on.
@@terrabnadia1793 I did a complete tear down of mine 8 summers ago. In less than 3 months at a casual pace (3 days a week at most) part replacements came in and were installed, engine was professionally redone while I did body and electrical. Everything but the carpet was torn out and inspected. It's the best car I've owned to date and if my dumb ass can resto mod one, anyone can. Think of it as an art project, not a complex engineering challenge.
Had a 99 gen 1 gsx would occasionally pull my buddies out of the snow banks in Northern lower Michigan loved the all wheel drive great car but I've always wanted the vr4. Great car Great video.
Growing up I had a neighbor that had one just like this one then later on around the time of gas in the furious he got it t painted bright yellow. I thought it was the coolest car to me it was a Ferrari. He also had a vr4 coupe with the flip ups that was pretty dope.
Man I miss my 92 Stealth TT. The aws was great too, I could keep entertained on an empty highway on a long drive just rapidly changing lanes and it would keep the body straight. Such a fun feeling haha.
3000GT VR4 cars are great cars.. they are hard to work on but, if you have the cash and Fabrication skill..A LS swap would cure from most of it's quirts mechanically...Great Review.
I love the excitement when you guys talk about this car. Had a 94 3000gt base but unforturnely wrecked it as a dumb 19 year old. By far my favorite car I have ever owned even with the pain the butt issues that comes from owning one.
Always loved the look of the Mitsubishi 3000gts. I have a neighbor that has one and she is the original owner. Also have a coworker who got rid of his 300zx to get a 3000gt. That’s dedication. Actually never realized that they were fwd cars until this past year.
I always laugh about shops not wanting to work on 3S cars. They’re no worse than anything from the 90’s, you really just need to pop off the intercooler piping and you have a load of clearance for most things. Also stock weight is ~3700 for most cars, excluding the convertible
As an owner of a Genuine 99 VR4. Owning 1 takes time, money, and patience. Parts can be hard to find, parts can be very expensive, and reliable mechanics are very hard to come by fixing them. With that being said these cars are a blast when all sorted out. The amount of attention you get driving 1 is just as pleasing.
my dad had a brand new stealth R/T turbo(basically the same car), i was too young to remember riding in it though. Theres a red, mint vr4 just up my street. These are a pretty rare sight nowadays. There was too much tech for its own good, the more stuff it has the more it will break and these arent the most DIY friendly to work on. High levels of dedication, money, wrenching time and love to keep those in good shape.
Test Drove stealth and vr4 both in 6 speeds and they were both fun and pulled hard unfortunately both were starting to show little blue smoke so I passed but fun test drives for sure.
My best buddy has a white Stealth twin turbo that's crazy fun on the highway. His makes like 240~250ish to the wheels yet it really hauls at high speeds and feels insanely stable at 140+ mph. No joke, 140 in his car feels like 70 on any other car.
I love my 3000gt have had it since a sophomore in high school back in 2017 not a vr4 but still very fun and has the nice looks but these things do require a lot of attention and maintenance but once kept up these things are reliable
Very nice spyder. I have a 95 VR4 all stock very clean. I wish I had a spyder. But my car is about 400 lbs lighter so there is that. It is the best car I have ever had. Owned it since 2001. Never had a problem with it all these years. I only do the regular manufactured suggested maintenance on it. I love the awd, aws, active aero, twin turbo pull. Not for sale.
The 1994 3000GT VR-4 had a curb weight of 3,803LBS. Not too far off from a 2008 EVO X GSR at 3585LBS. The S650 Mustang GT Premium weighs in at 3730LBS with the 6 speed MT equipped.
I am building a 94 VR-4. I am located in Suffolk, VA if you want to check it out. You did a review on Mike's NSX type S and McLaren 600LT. I also will be building my wife's 2022 Explorer ST once the warranty has expired.
That 3kgt is as heavy as my 1st gen sorento. Have in mind the sorento has a ladder frame and is a truck. So damn! Also my sorento has those exact cylinder heads. 😌
