Mitsubishi 3000GT / GTO

[wuvvum]

Does anyone have any experience of these things? I've been looking at them on eBay and they seem quite cheap for what they are. They also appear on the face of it to have all the necessary ingredients to make one hell of a car - overpowered twin turbo V6, four wheel drive, Mitsubishi build quality and, IMHO at least, reasonable looks. Various publications that I've read over the years have said "OMG THEY R RUBBARSH!!!!!!!!11!1!" but without giving any rational explanation as to why. Anyone have any ideas?

[CreepingJesus]

Anything I've read about them over the years, would tend to suggest that they play second fiddle to the Skyline. Other than that, they're supposed to be a good driving car, let down by a grey interior, and feeling a touch on the chunky side - lightweight it ain't.

IIRC, the major repair costs tend to be generated by the aircon, on board electronics, and the trans. Like you say, it's typically well built Mitsu otherwise.

Personally, I wouldn't: mostly because there's a fair few round here, and they seem to be driven by the kind of steroid warriors who spend more time posing and polishing, than servicing. Thus, any available here, would be a potential nightmare. I'd think about an NSX tho', if I'd the budget.

[Station]

Everyone on the web says they're prone to failure, and typically it was in Richard Hammond's toilet paper-esque 'My Worstest cars', but they're probably decent enough cars. What's the worse that can happen? The rear adjusting spoiler fails? The web also says the engines eat head gaskets, which is obvious if you're not going to maintain a forced induction 3.0 engine. The only thing I'd worry about is the fuel, otherwise I'd buy one for 500 quid and worry about possible OMG ECU FAILURE £1000000 FROM DEALER as well as POSSIBLE END OF WORLD IN 2011!!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

These cars look class wedged in a council house garden next to the wheelie bins and a few kid's toys, thats where you seem to see most of em. I bet an original unmessed with one is quite rare and valuable now. I imagine theyre pretty ace when on form, but few will have been owned by folk with enough nouse or money to keep one in good nick.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I drove these as new cars when I worked for a Mitsutoshi dealer (SGT) in 1995. They were absolutely lovely to drive - forget all the shit that some wankers say about 'uninvolving' etc etc because they're as fast as buggery and stick to the road. A very pleasant everyday car even now I'd imagine and a lot nicer than the Lotus Esprits and 911's of the period. I would imagine the usual council meathead import GTO shitheap is a liability but they're worth fuck all now and I'd imagine you could break up a £1000 example when it goes tits up and claw the cash back.

Also look at that other council supercar, the Nissan 300ZX which in many ways was even nicer.

[dollywobbler]

You said what I was going to Rev - It'd be Nissan 300ZX every time. Much more coherent in the looks department and equally rapid.

 

It it had to be a Mitsu, I'd be tempted by the FTO. Smaller package but they do seem to be one car that actually does benefit from a large-bore exhaust system. Musical! Makes up for the horrific looks.

[Guest]

I reckon these are superb, I love the early ones with the Active Aero system and the flip-up lights. People whinge about them being too heavy without figuring out that they're meant to be a full-on grand tourer and thus obviously weigh more than the other 90s "280ps Gentlemens Agreement" specials, which were nearly all based around ordinary saloons.

 

COOL:

[CIH]

Take a look in the engine bay. Like a z32 300zx it's absolutly crammed with motor makingworking on them a right old ballache.

[wuvvum]

You said what I was going to Rev - It'd be Nissan 300ZX every time.

Aye, but I've already had a Z32 - lovely cars, and I'll have another one day, but the Mitsu seems a bit more high-tech and I reckon it'll be rather different to the Nissan, so I fancy trying one.

[dollywobbler]

Go for it then. Surprised you're asking to be honest - you seem to be one who buys so many cars that one day maybe you'll have sampled them all! Still in awe...