Cars and Bids Bargain of the Week: 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL
If you get your timing right, it’s possible to find some real bargains on online auction sites. And if you’re after modern and relatively-modern enthusiast vehicles, Cars and Bids is an excellent resource. We’ve once again scoured the site to find a good deal. And this week’s choice is an often-overlooked Japanese classic, and one of Jackie Chan’s chariots: a 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT was a high-tech 90s sports car
The Mitsubishi 3000GT often gets ignored compared to some of its 90s contemporaries, such as the Mk4 Supra, Nissan Z32 300ZX, and Mazda RX-7. It’s also upstaged by another Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evo.
However, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, aka the GTO, aka the Dodge Stealth, was ahead of its time in many ways, Autotrader reports. That’s especially true of the VR4 model. It offers with AWD, rear-wheel steering, a multi-mode exhaust, electronically-adjustable suspension, and active aerodynamics, Hagerty reports.
Admittedly, some of these features can be found on hot hatches and sports sedans. But rear-wheel steering and active aero are still supercar-level tech. And yet, a 1990 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 offered all of them. Though to be fair, the active aero was dropped after 1996, GarageDreams reports.
Compared to its contemporaries, the Mitsubishi 3000GT was a bit too heavy to be truly sporty, Car and Driver reports. But it works well as a GT. Plus, the VR4 trim has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 300 hp and 306 lb-ft, CarThrottle reports. That’s good for a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds, Hagerty reports, which is still fairly decent.
The 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL on Cars and Bids
The 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT currently up on Cars and Bids isn’t a VR4; it’s a mid-level SL model. So, unfortunately, it doesn’t offer the rear-wheel steering or AWD. And instead of a twin-turbocharged V6, it has a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 215 hp and 208 lb-ft driving the front wheels.
However, SL models aren’t exactly barren. Standard features include leather upholstery, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel, and the same electronically-adjustable suspension as the VR4, Hagerty reports. This particular 1997 also has a sunroof, a factory-equipped 10-disc CD changer, and a 5-speed manual.
Cars and Bids reports that this 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL isn’t cosmetically perfect. There are few scratches on the bumpers and wheels. And there is some rust by the hatch. But the vehicle history shows no accidents. And the current owner replaced the clutch and window regulators as well as serviced the hydraulics. Given that it has 124,800 miles showing on the odometer, it’s in very good shape.
Why is it a bargain?
As of this writing, this 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL is listed on Cars and Bids at $3883 with 3 days left in the auction. That’s a fairly low price for an example in this condition, even taking into account that it’s not a VR4. Hagerty reports that it’s not unusual to see 3000GTs going for more than twice as much.
True, this Mitsubishi 3000GT won’t be as fast as a VR4 model, nor does it offer all that trim’s fancy features. However, that also means it’s easier to service if something goes wrong. So it’s not just a bargain to buy, but a relative bargain to own, too.
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