The economic bump in the ’90s gave many Japanese automakers enough resources to embark on some of the wildest automotive projects, giving birth to legendary sports cars like the Toyota Supra, Nissan 300ZX, the revived Nissan Skyline GT-R, and the Mazda RX-7. In addition to lots of power, these models had designs as good as anything from European automakers. Due to the star-studded lineup of Japanese sports cars from this era, very few gearheads talk about a ’90s JDM underdog: the Mitsubishi 3000GT.
Unlike most models mentioned above, the 3000GT never quite became a household name – mostly due to the sheer number of incredible sports cars from that period. For many enthusiasts, models such as the Supra and Nissan 300ZX are out of reach due to skyrocketing values. However, if vintage Japanese sports cars are your preference, then the Mitsubishi 3000GT is a suitable and affordable alternative. You won’t find many 3000GT Mitsubishis for sale, but according to Classic, the average Mitsubishi GT 3000 costs $23,000, a bargain, considering its sleek looks and outstanding features. Here’s why the Mitsubishi 3000GT is too good a deal to pass up.
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As far as Japanese cars go, the Mitsubishi 3000GT is one that offered good performance, sleek looks and is somewhat affordable in 2023.
HotCars analyzed used Mitsubishi 3000GT market values using data from Classic.com. Performance specs were sourced from ZeroTo60Times.com. Research was conducted in February 2024.
12 The Mitsubishi 3000GT’s Decade-Long Production History
Mitsubishi launched the 3000GT in 1990 as a sports car/grand tourer. Similar to its rivals, the automaker offered the 3000GT in a 2+2 configuration with a V6 engine under its hood. To avoid name clashes with the Pontiac GTO, the automaker sold this car as the GTO in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), while the rest of the world got it as the 3000GT. Mitsubishi’s partnership with Chrysler gave birth to a rebadged version of the 3000GT: the Dodge Stealth.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT has three generations under its belt, spanning the entire nineties, with the automaker leading it out to pasture at the end of the decade owing to poor sales. During its life cycle, the Mitsubishi 3000GT came with advanced tech features, but as the car got older, Mitsubishi dropped pop-up headlights, active aero, and four-wheel steering.
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11 VR4 Variants Were Capable Of Up To 320 Horsepower
Performance Specs
|
Model |
Engine Displacement |
Power |
Torque |
0-60 MPH |
Top Speed |
|
3000GT |
181.4 cu-in V6 |
282 hp |
300 lb-ft |
5.9 seconds |
155 mph |
|
1990-1994 3000GT VR4 |
181.4 cu-in V6 |
296 hp |
306 lb-ft |
5.8 seconds |
159 mph |
|
1994-1997 3000GT VR4 |
181.4 cu-in V6 |
320 hp |
315 lb-ft |
4.7 seconds |
165 mph |
Mitsubishi equipped all 3000GTs with a traverse-mounted 3.0-liter 6G72 V6 engine. A 282-hp naturally aspirated V6 sent power to the front wheels of base models, while the range-topping VR4 models received motivation from twin-turbocharged V6 mills producing almost 300 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque.
The Viscous Realtime 4WD (VR4) came standard with a 5-speed manual transmission and 17-inch wheels, while optional performance specs included four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and four-wheel drive. For the 1994 model year, VR4 models received a 20 hp boost, bringing the total to 320 hp, while torque jumped to 315 lb-ft from 306 lb-ft. Another significant addition was a six-speed Getrag manual transmission.
10 Mitsubishi 3000GT Came With Active Aero
When Mitsubishi launched the 3000GT, only a handful of production cars used active aerodynamics alongside features like air dams and adjustable spoilers. For a Japanese car of the ’90s, the Mitsubishi 3000GT was quite innovative and ahead of its time. The 3000GT’s active aero system comprises of parts that automatically adjust to improve performance at different speeds.
The front air dam self-adjusted by 3 inches at speeds over 50 mph to improve downforce. There were also the rear deck wing spoiler and front venturi skirt spoiler, which deployed at high speeds to increase stability, performance, and traction.
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9 The 3000GT Featured AWD And A Four-Wheel Steering
Japanese performance cars from the ’90s came with plenty of new tech, and none more so than the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Some of its standout features included electronically controlled damping, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering – a feature that only recently, 30 years later, started being widely popularized in the automotive industry.
It is now common to see performance cars fitted with AWD, but this was quite rare in the ’90s. Mitsubishi’s decision to offer all-wheel drive on the 3000GT was probably to appeal to drivers who needed better power delivery and traction. Furthermore, the Japanese automaker equipped higher trim levels with an active four-wheel steering system that allowed for improved stability and handling. Both technologies were not exactly new at the time, but along with active aero and anti-lock braking systems, the 3000GT was a complex beast and perhaps too futuristic for its time.
Standout Features
- Four-wheel steering
- All-wheel drive
- Active aero
- Electronically-controlled suspension system
8 The Mitsubishi 3000 GT Is Picking Up In Value
Mitsubishi 3000GT Used Market Values
|
Year |
Highest Recorded Sale |
|
2019 |
$30,250 |
|
2020 |
$34,750 |
|
2021 |
$47,000 |
|
2022 |
$75,000 |
|
2023 |
$51,042 |
(Prices courtesy of Classic.com)
During its production run, the Mitsubishi 3000GT didn’t receive as much attention as most of its peers, and even the more powerful VR4 variants did little to change this. However, the sports car has seen a slight change in fortunes in the used car market. Classic’s five-year market valuation shows that the 3000GT has risen in value with each passing year.
In 2022, one model brought in $75,000, while another 168-mile model fetched $100,4999 on Bonhams. This isn’t surprising considering the car’s rarity, as more than ten copies have sold above the $40k mark in the last five years. With the current used market price, the 3000GT might be a strong candidate if you’re looking to gamble on an investor piece. VR4 variants are understandably more valuable in the used market due to better performance and desirability.
7 From Track Day Specialist To Daily Driver
One thing the 3000GT has in its favor is range. Whether you need a grocery-getter or one of those affordable track day cars, the 3000GT can play the part. A combination of its rare nature and incredible looks will reward any driver with lots of stares, but that’s a small price to pay for owning one of these bad boys.
In addition to its impressive performance numbers, the 3000GT offers a lot of practicality. It comes with a relatively spacious cabin, enough room for the young ones, and a larger trunk than you’ll get from most of its rivals.
6 It Boasts Incredible Straight-Line Acceleration
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Performance Comparison Versus Rivals
|
Model |
0-60 MPH |
Quarter-Mile |
|
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo |
5.0 seconds |
13.5 seconds |
|
1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 |
4.7 seconds |
13.4 seconds |
|
1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo |
5.4 seconds |
13.8 seconds |
(Specs from Zeroto60times)
Despite its heavy 3,814-lb curb weight, the 3000GT posted impressive straight-line acceleration figures, especially in the high-performance VR4 models. Base models of the 3000GT got a 3.0-liter V6 mill capable of over 280 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, while the high-spec VR4 models boasted up to 320 horses and 315 lb-ft. This combined with a five-speed manual, or the six-speed Mitsubishi offered later on in the car’s life cycle. The 3000GT’s advanced features such as AWD, which offers improved traction, provided the car with an edge in acceleration.
5 The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is Surprisingly Rare And Exclusive
Mitsubishi’s 3000GT was quite unlucky to be born in an era with so many sports car gems from Japan in particular and the automotive world in general. Despite its advanced tech and impressive performance specs, it never got as popular as the Supras, GT-Rs, or even the Honda NSXs. On one hand, the competition offered similar performance and design, making it difficult for the 3000GT to shine.
Also, the car’s original sticker price was higher than that of most of the competition. For example, according to KBB, the 1995 3000GT VR4 Spyder Convertible had a $64,919 original MSRP. For context, the 1995 Chevy Corvette Convertible was $20,000 cheaper, while you could get the top trim of the 1995 Nissan 300ZX for $42,579. Other things like brand perception and marketing contributed to gearheads ignoring 3000GTs for sale.
4 A Retro Luxurious Interior Adds To Its Overall Value
With its aggressive stance, the 3000GT’s exterior is eye-catching, but inside, the cabin is also special. The first thing you notice is how spacious the interior is for a sports car, but then, the Mitsubishi 3000GT is also a grand tourer, and it plays the part. Trunk space, a generous rear seat area, and comfortable seats all add to its practicality.
Furthermore, the driver’s seat came with adjustable bolsters, while earlier models had seats draped in cloth and a leather-covered steering wheel. Automatic climate control, a multi-colored screen display, three gauges atop the dashboard, and radio buttons at the bottom helped complete the 3000GT’s driver-centric cockpit look.
3 3000GT Spyder Models Come With A Fully Automatic Retractable Hardtop
Five years after Mitsubishi introduced the 3000GT, the automaker collaborated with the American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) to deliver 3000GT Spyder models with hardtop roofs that folded at the push of a button. Mitsubishi earmarked only non-turbo/FWD SL and twin-turbo/AWD VR4 trims for the Spyder modifications, which took place at ASC’s California plant.
Mitsubishi hoped to ship a thousand Spyders yearly, but this never materialized due to lack of interest and an eye-watering sticker price. Instead, the company reportedly produced a little over 1,000 units, with roofs weighing 98 lbs. Since these roofs were fully automated, drivers could easily switch from coupe to convertible, depending on the occasion. Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyders are now a dying breed with very few examples left of the convertible.
2 3000GT Models Have Potential To Become Future Classics
With Japanese sports cars from the ’90s becoming cool again, the 3000GT might finally have the chance to shake off its odd duck tag and become a classic. Performance-wise, the 3000GT matches and even beats some of its rivals. It also has the looks, styling, and personality to match, but one gnawing flaw is the amount of dollars the 3000GT gulps for maintenance. While it might never fetch the same price as the Supra, NSX, or RX-7, rarity could make it one of those cool collectibles down the line.
1 3000GTs Are The Ideal Canvas For Any Tuner
High-spec 3000GT models were capable of 320 horses, and while that is still a decent amount of power today, tuners who want more oomph will find plenty of opportunities with this car. While the 3000GT isn’t the most tuner-friendly car in the world, a twin-turbo setup on the VR4 means you can easily generate more power to suit your needs.
And with the proper engine mods, one can squeeze out up to 1000 horses from the 3000GT. For example, this modded 3000GT VR4 delivers 1100hp, while this example featured on That Racing Channel’s YT page produces up to 1300 hp. Popular mods for the 3000GT include boost gauges, dataloggers, boost controllers, full brake systems, and lightweight wheels.
Sources: Classic, Ultimate specs, ZeroTo60Times
