Faults:
Water pump gasket rotted out at 190,000 miles.
Power antenna motor stopped working at 194,000 miles.
The window weather strips on the doors are weak and worn out.
Shift boot dry rotted apart.
General Comments:
The car is very sharp and sporty looking, a perfect babe magnet.
On the performance end it is beautiful! The 1997 Base model came with a 3.0L V-6 single overhead cam, front-wheel drive. I was able to get a 5-speed version, and it is wonderful for power, but it is no comparison to the 3.0L V-6 dual overhead cam, twin turbo version! I am currently running 225 horses with some minor modifications.
The exhaust was quiet when I bought it, so I customized the system and threw in some cherry-bomb glass packs to give it a nice muscle car rumble and roar. I have recently bought a 1996 3000GT with the bigger 3.0 motor to build a massive street machine! I am keeping both cars and using the '97 for a gas saving cruiser, and the '96 for my street racing powerhouse!
As far as handling, the car is great! It sticks to the roads like glue, but there is a problem with the front-wheel drive version creating a "Snow Plow" effect, where when you turn at higher speeds or while accelerating, it seems to drive straight. This problem was easily fixed with upgraded sway bars (front and rear) and strut tower bars (front and rear).
At speed the car is great! I can top out at 165 mph! Removing the restrictor plate and the top speed limiter will let you achieve this speed. "Note", in doing this, the only thing that will stop your car from blowing up is the rev-limiter. I have a lot of people with tuner cars and starter cars wanting to race me. I have lined up with a lot of them, and showed them what these cars can do!!
The worst thing Mitsubishi did was stopping the production of this wonderful powerhouse! Replacement parts are out priced and performance upgrades are expensive, but not hard to find if you know where to look.
All in all, the car is a great cruising car for trips or just a night out riding. It definitely turns heads. For anyone that drives a Mitsubishi 3000GT or Dodge Stealth looking to beef-up your ride, please check out our web site at http://www.3sx.com, for just about anything you need.
The 3000GT might never be produced again, but this magnificent performance ride will never be forgotten! This car is very nice all around, and me and the 3SX crew hope The cars will live forever!!
9-of-10. Great job Mitsubishi.
28th Jul 2009, 11:21
Have owned all the rear wheel drive sports car on the streets, lights by lights.
- Well, maybe some day you'll be going up against a Veyron. Then you're dead.