Car Disgust--Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
It has been a while since I've done a Car Disgust post, so if you're confused, read this.
I'm on record as being a huge fan of exotic hardware, and all-wheel drive and turbochargers are among my favorite pieces of automotive gingerbread. Combine that with my fondness for Mitsubishis, especially the sporty ones, and the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4--pumped up with its AWD, twin turbos, and four-wheel steering--should be a no-brainer for me.
But, no. I just can't stand the 3000GT. While it was extremely quick, it was also extremely ugly and--a cardinal sin for a sports car--so heavy that it offered a relatively ponderous driving experience.
In the 1970s, Japanese cars were largely known for their, um, adventurous styling (think Datsun B-210); they were ugly, but at least they were interesting. Somehow, the 3000GT manages to be ugly and anonymous all at once. The lumpy, generic sports coupe shape was fundamentally uninteresting; and the extraneous gills, vents, and body hardware added clutter without excitement.
More vexing, the 3000GT represented the triumph of technology over pure driving experience. The turbos and AWD made the car faster, but systems like four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and electronic suspension contributed more to weight, bulk, and complexity. The whole thing came off to me like a giant gimmick. Contemporaries like the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, and Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo all offered more sheer speed while also giving the driver a truly fun and agile sports car.
At first glance the 3000GT's bulk and speed might make it a better fit as a grand tourer, but it's really too ugly and not classy enough to mix in that rarified class. My boss has said that he has always considered these to be Japanese Trans-Ams, and I think that's actually pretty insightful. The 3000GT is obsessively about high technology while American muscle cars are just as obsessively low-tech, but otherwise the comparison is spot on. Like a Trans-Am, the 3000GT is big, heavy, fast, not especially agile, and a bit gaudy. I'd love to see a 3000GT with a screaming chicken decal on the hood.
I'm probably in the minority on this one, and I get how weird it is to lust after a Gremlin while shunning the 3000GT. And the fact that I prefer the mechanically identical Dodge Stealth just because it's prettier shows just how inconsistent and unfair I am. But what can I say? I just don't like the 3000GT. Car Lust can be a fickle thing.
Among the throngs of 3000GT fans who will now be eager to punch my face in, count Flickr user CARLOS62, who snapped these photos. CARLOS62, my apologies--I may not like the car, but your photos are lovely.
--Chris H.
David Drucker on May 02, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I don't know... lop off the spoiler -- and does *any* road car really need a spoiler? -- and paint it black and you've got something that, to me, is in the same league as the Porsche 928. I haven't compared their current prices, so they might not be marketplace-comparable. But both are GT cars in the traditional European sense, and I wouldn't knock them for lacking characteristics that are beyond their mandate.
Not that I'd buy either of them, given the nightmarish cost of ongoing maintenance, and Stephen-King-nightmarish cost of major repairs.
Mochi Mochi on May 02, 2008 at 10:11 AM
My head is spinning - two car Disgusts. The 3000GT and the Suzuki X-90. Well I can say for sure that the Suzuki X-90 looks pretty damn good in comparison to the 3000GT.
My problem with this car is that it seems so overblown... kind of a Pamela Anderson version of a sports car. The problem starts with the name, 3000GT. I am certain there folks in the marketing and naming teams that wanted to call this the 3000000GT, and I'm not sure why they didn't. This thing has all the markings of a geeky 14 year old boy's dream of car design. As if the folks that brought you the movies Lord of the Rings and the most recent remake of King Kong took on the design of a car. "And we'll put lasers and machine guns under the bumper, it will go 400mph, dual quad exhaust, and yeah - a really big double rear wing- man that'll be soooo cooool".
Rob the SVX guy on May 02, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Careful Chris. A lot of what you just said also applies to my SVX. I do think it's classier and better built than the 3000GT with it's hard plasticy interior, but they are about the same general bodyshop, weight, and poise. It's not really my cup of tea with all the tiny vents and stuff.... I think the styling is okay, but the vents are aggressively shaped, yet small, which to me makes the whole design rather... blah. If they would have not had any vents, it would look better. If they had made the vents bigger, it would look better. Overall though, I like the car. Why? It represents an era of Japanese halo cars, before SUVs became wildly popular and killed them all off. You mentioned the RX7, Supra, 300ZX, and of course my SVX, and all of these cars suffered the same fate due to people lusting over large luxury SUVS that offer an even worse driving experience, suck even more gas, and offer a lot less performance.
So basically... 3000GT, even the base model > the stupid SUVs that replaced it.
Chris Hafner on May 02, 2008 at 10:24 AM
David Drucker: "I don't know... lop off the spoiler -- and does *any* road car really need a spoiler? -- and paint it black and you've got something that, to me, is in the same league as the Porsche 928."
Oof. I know I'm being unfair to the 3000GT, but putting it and the Porsche 928 in the same sentence wounds me to my very core. My very core, sir. I might have to demand some satisfaction.
Mochi Mochi: "kind of a Pamela Anderson version of a sports car."
Agreed, Mochi, my point exactly. It just seems pretty empty. Maybe that's unfair, beacuse it *does* have some nice hardware, but the whole seems much less than the sum of the parts.
Chris Hafner on May 02, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Rob the SVX Guy: "Careful Chris. A lot of what you just said also applies to my SVX."
Yeah, I thought about that--but I think the SVX wins that comparison hands-down. The SVX is prettier, classier, more interesting, and less overblown. It actually can be taken seriously as a GT, and sweeter to drive.
The 3000GT was in the conversation of the Japanese halo cars, but to me it was the flashily dressed, slick-haired braggart weakling of the halo cars.
And, of course, there is the ultimate arbiter of Car Lusts. I love the SVX. I hate the 3000GT.
Anthony Cagle on May 02, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I don't get the hate-on for this thing. Not that I particularly like it myself, but I don't see the source of the loathing. Doesn't seem terribly distinctive looks-wise. . .just sort of there in a typical GT-ish pattern. I thought the Trans Am was much gaudier.
I always found the SVX to be off in that respect. I can understand a disgust/lust for that one because it's so weird looking.
Chris Hafner on May 02, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Anthony Cagle: "I don't get the hate-on for this thing."
Just speaking for myself, I fully acknowledge that my disgust is not fully rational. I just don't like anything about it.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on May 02, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Ugly? I don't think so. "Nondescript," "generic," "Boring in an overstated way" even, but . . . "ugly" is just a little too strong.
Eden Decker on May 19, 2008 at 03:05 AM
Yeh I own and love my 1991 1'st Gen 3000gt, yeh I wish it was 1000lbs lighter, could do without the 4 wheel steering and most of the bells and whistles that make it soo heavy. But everyday I drive it , make it a part of me, floor it through 2nd and 3rd, Drop it down onto a tight off ramp from the interstate at 110mph into a 4 wheel power drift...............;> I have to clean out my shorts and give it a pat as I leave it in my driveway and think to myself that this is as close as I'll ever get to owning a ferrarri in the states for the BUCKS.
Ps. I leave the spoiler up all the time.
3si Member on June 16, 2008 at 06:41 PM
First off, are you guys even serious with me, hahaha. The 3000GT is a sweet car. I'll agree the base and SL are lacking true "sportscarness" but the VR4 is a totally different car in so many aspects. I own a 91 VR4. When considering price/performance and year, this car is amazing. Big deal it's a little heavy, it's not that heavy seeing as it's a big car with AWD AWS and all the other bells and whistles already mentioned. The size and stance really improve high speed driving compared to it's little brother the GSX or other similar but smaller cars.
Second, how can anyone say they hate the looks. It might be a poor mans Ferrari, but I'll bet all cleaned up she looks way better than your car $10,000 car.
3si Member on June 16, 2008 at 06:43 PM
First off, are you guys even serious with me, hahaha. The 3000GT is a sweet car. I'll agree the base and SL are lacking true "sportscarness" but the VR4 is a totally different car in so many aspects. I own a 91 VR4. When considering price/performance and year, this car is amazing. Big deal it's a little heavy, it's not that heavy seeing as it's a big car with AWD AWS and all the other bells and whistles already mentioned. The size and stance really improve high speed driving compared to it's little brother the GSX or other similar but smaller cars.
Second, how can anyone say they hate the looks. It might be a poor mans Ferrari, but I'll bet all cleaned up she looks way better than your car $10,000 car.
doug on June 18, 2008 at 09:35 PM
I have to disagree with you on this one. I had a 1991 VR-4 with alot of upgrades. The large size of the vehicle made cornering at high speeds very smooth. The AWD kept the tires from spinning allowing for better 0-60 time. The electronic suspension and active aerodynamics was a bit pointless, as was the sport/tour exhaust (which once you install an aftermarket exhaust, loses it functionability anyway).
Someone refered to the VR-4 as the poor mans Ferrari. I would have to agree. Not so much in looks (obviously), but in performance. Like I mentioned before, I had alot of upgrades done to my VR-4 ($15,000 worth). There was nothing like pulling up next to a Corvette, 300 ZX, Supra, RX-7, or anything else and watching it in your rear view mirror. I even had a Ferrari 355 Berlinetta try me one day. I was about 3 car lengths ahead when I lost control and totaled my VR-4.
My point being is this; You can get a used VR-4 now for about $15,000. Put another $10,000 - $15,000 into it and you'll have your self a $30,000 car that will out run and out perform most $150,000 sport cars.
RRodi on June 28, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Lol you fools on the top of the page are just hatin cuz you dont have a fast 3s car or lost to one that was built right. I take out supras, 300zs with no problem esp in the quarter. And here and there depending on the bike, the stealth likes to eat those. Dang it also ate my buddys 510 rwhp svt cobra by 3 lenghts on a highway pull in a awd with a v6. Thats perfection at its finest. To all those who are hatin, i cant hear you anyways, turbos are spoolin way to loud and your too far behind. lol have a nice day.
RRodi on June 29, 2008 at 08:39 PM
If you wanna comment on 3s cars styling. Comment on both the newest and oldest designes. The 3rd gen styling is some of many favorites. Here are some links to some gorgeous 3s cars.
http://www.3sx.com/store/comersus_viewItemBundle.asp?idProduct=26222
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg529y/3si/car_sig.jpg
http://www.3sx.com/store/catalog/bumper-cianci-novara-gen2-front-
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/543299935_d7437f46cb.jpg?v=0
on September 16, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Great article, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm a Stealth owner and know exactly where you're comin' from.
Laurence Aguillard on September 27, 2008 at 12:47 AM
You must have gotten beat by a lot of 3000 gt. :) And the supra is just as big and bulky. You have been watching too much Fast and the furious. I own a Vr4 and an RT they both look better than most of the crap out today.
VR-whore on December 27, 2008 at 09:15 PM
This is the most retarded review ever. Most of the people who talk aboou these cars don't own them. You complain about it being a Grand Tourer, I thought that's what GT meant in 3000GT, kind of stupid. The interior is plasticy, what Japanese sports cars of the 90's didn't have plastic interiors, ever seen the 300ZX's interior. It comes with Auto Climate control, Power drivers seat with powered lumbar support. The car sounds great and handles even better. I can floor it into a AWD drift and it controls so perfectlly and precise. The Supra without AWD and AWS almost weighs the same. 3500+ lbs. Pure hating!
BRAY on January 03, 2009 at 11:11 AM
the mr2 is definately the poor man's ferrari. does ferrari even make an awd? or ever have?
steve-o on January 03, 2009 at 06:57 PM
WHAT WANKERS GET A LIFE!!! HOW CAN U DIS THIS CAR VR4 ALL THE WAY!!
A Japanese Trans Am...? on January 24, 2009 at 05:47 PM
I have to agree with you on that one. Even though it outweighs the Trans Am by 300-500lbs. The Dodge Stealth was the better looking version of the two, but overall it seemed like the same guys who would've bought Trans Ams bought the 3000GT right up until they came out with the LS1 Trans AM. Either way they can keep it.
BC on February 13, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I agree with this review.
The car has that generic japanese sports car styling, yet brings nothing new or interesting to the table - making it quite bland.
I'm looking into a first car and every time I looked this one up, I always hit back and changed the car.
I'll read a great review and think that this will be pretty cool, but then I get bored just looking through the ads that I move on to something else.
The car probably performs spectacularly, but it just doesn't have that extra factor that keeps most people interested.
ilian on March 25, 2009 at 03:51 PM
What a bunch of haters... So, according to some people who left comments, the 3000GT/Stealth is not special in any way and even more, it lucks so much that it is a disgusting car.
Well, I would like for any of you people to write down all of the cars made in 1990 that had stock AWD, AWS, AW Anti-Lock Brakes, 300hp, 5.0 sec. zero to sixty, 165 mph proven on a test drive, active exhaust, electronic suspension, and driver's air bag. I would like to see the brands and models of each car and not the lame statement "there were many such cars."
Ugly? Well, looks are subjective, but even today when people see a 3000GT/Stealth, it stirs the blood in them and makes them turn after it. It still commands sport's car style.
Hate all you want, but this car was, is, and will always be great.
For performance update, check out the Stealth of Matt Monet and his 1/4 mile best time on stock short block, piggy back, and no nitrous. Then, you will be able to better appreciate the performance of this remarkable vehicle.
Trivia: Dodge Stealth was the original official Indy 500 pace car in 1991.
P.S: The spoiler on the last picture used in the article is not a stock 3000GT/Stealth spoiler.
Chris Stealth on March 27, 2009 at 08:16 AM
You turkeys, how can you hate! AWD, Awesome handling. And the fact that it sounds unlike any other sports car with a v6. The only downside is when you push the stock black past the 700's in horsepower they start to throw a main pretty quick. Other than that you have no idea what you are talking about Chris Hafner. Let me be the first to say you are a first class tool! You hate with no solid evidence. You make yourself look ignorant for your lack of knowledge in the car community. Granted there are pleny of better cars out there, your reasons for disgust are utterly brainless and bland. Probably like you in bed.
boomer on April 07, 2009 at 10:17 PM
ok all you 3000gt haters and more importantly the person who wrote this column can seriously blow themselves
bah on April 08, 2009 at 07:34 AM
This idiot slams on the 3kgt every year to drum up support for his stupid blog. Get over the 250 lbs.
Go watch Best Motoring comparisons and the 3000gt beats the Supra on the track you moron. It crushes a 300zx on the track.
If you werent so uniformed your blog would be better.