Faults:

A/C belt needed tightening at 129k.

General Comments:

I have not owned a better car. This car is fast, and has enough torque to give you a neck injury without a head rest. It had a large turning radius, but when you are moving it corners like a Miata, despite its weight.

It has Mitsubishi's valve timing system, MiVEC, which is seriously noticeable. I had a Honda Civic with VTEC before this car; it was kinda fun, but the VTEC was like it wasn't there. When this car hit MiVEC, my head would snap back, even with the automatic transmission. I prefer manuals, rarely buy automatics, but if I found a good enough 3000GT with an automatic, I'd jump on it. It shifted EXACTLY when you wanted it to, it was quick, and never slipped. When I was driving in town, it kept the RPM low. When I stepped on it, it shifted at 7500 RPM. It wasn't too quick off the line, but it did 60-100 quicker than you could ever imagine.

The interior is nice and inviting, and the seats were comfortable. Even the handbrake was nice. And the sound... the car had the Sound Adjustment system; while driving slowly in town, it was quiet, but during performance driving, it was louder than ever. I loved it.

Also, the car is very fuel efficient. I would always beat on the thing, and the worst MPG I ever got was 24. Best was 29.

It turned tons of heads too. EVERY DAY someone would compliment the car. I seriously regret ever selling that car. Oh well, maybe that means one day I can buy myself a VR4.

Faults:

Alternator went at 92k, taking all headlights and foglights with it. $30 for a used alternator, 4-hour repair job.

A/C has leaky hose, doesn't hold charge.

Passenger seat has a small tear.

General Comments:

Excellent performance from a small engine, good powerband, transmission is smooth, 4 wheel disc brakes work GREAT, handling is above average, and surprisingly good for a 3,300lb car.

Electronically adjustable suspension is a plus, love the power seat (very comfortable) and removable sunroof.

Runs great on 89 octane.

Back seats are a joke, no room for anybody but a small child. Got it for a steal at $2500.

Faults:

More things have gone wrong with this car than I can remember.

Replaced alternator twice.

Replaced mass airflow sensor.

Replaced brake pads numerous times.

Replaced radio antenna.

Replaced front shocks.

Replaced power steering.

Replaced valve stem seals at 120K miles when it began to burn oil (horribly long job).

General Comments:

Nice size cabin.

Heavy... but has some power.

LOTS of road noise.

Uses 93 octane... big minus.

Front wheel drive... not sporty, but good in snow.

A/C kills horsepower.

Mass airflow sensor VERY expensive, and always gives problems.

Check engine light seems to be on all the time.

It's a sharp car. Lots of positive comments... but no one realizes how much trouble it is.

Faults:

Transmission went. I got a used one, then that broke for the same reason.

General Comments:

If you own one of these, read this, it's very important!

Universal problem with 93 and 94 manual transmissions. Easy fix around $100.00. The nut that holds on the 5th gear assembly is improperly staked from the factory. It will come undone. Then your transmission will have to be rebuilt... very expensive. To fix this, you do not have to remove the transmission. There is a plate next to the drive shaft. Remove that. There is a threaded shaft with 2 groves on each side. The gears are pressed on the shaft. There is a nut that holds the gear (reverse and 5th 1 gear). The nut is torqued and then staked or crimped into the groves. The idiots at Mitsubishi didn't do it right.

Do not reuse the nut, buy a new one for around $10.00. It is not a matter of if it comes apart, it is when.

Other than the transmission hell, this was a great handling car, but you have to align it really tight or you will wear the tires quick.

The valves do make a lot of noise also.