At $28,000, Is This 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder A New Deal?

When it’s new, it’s today Good price or no dice The 3000GT VR-4 was one of the most complicated cars money could buy. Let’s see if this seemingly well-maintained example now has a simple price tag.

A design as fascinating as yesterday 1984 Chevy S-10 Camper Van was, not even a gull-wing side door and an interior furnished with comfortable captain’s chairs could beat its asking price of $10,800. Maybe it was just too high, or maybe being offered for less than half just two years ago had an impact. Whoever the ultimate decider was, the Chevy ended up with a heavy loss of 89% no dice.

Today, we return to the 1990s, the era that many (that is, me) regard as the heyday of the great Japanese sports coupe. It was during this decade that cars like the Nissan 300ZX, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX7 and Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 all peaked, offering buyers levels of style, performance and of unprecedented complexity.

The Mitsubishi wasn’t the largest of the bunch, either in wheelbase or overall length (despite being the widest), and in its retractable-roof Spyder form it’s the heaviest. This roof mechanism costs the car nearly 400 pounds of extra weight. Luckily the VR-4 has 300 horsepower and full-time all-wheel drive to help hide those extra pounds.

A mechanical roof isn’t the big Mitsubishi’s only party trick, either. These cars were uncompromising in their complexity, offering active aerodynamics, four-wheel steering, electronically adjustable damping and a pair of turbos on its DOHC three-liter V6.

Such complexity tends to age badly if not maintained by a respectful and competent steward and seller of today’s products. 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder claims to have long been that.

The car comes in a custom black paint job topped with a pearlescent clear coat. Adding to the custom look, the hood, front fenders and nose were all replaced with aftermarket or later models and the door handles were shaved off in preference to remote poppers. There are a number of other mods here, and it all comes together in a look that looks like it was done with care and skill.

Inside, the bespoke work continues, with black and blue leather and suedette upholstery and a modern double-DIN stereo. Everything in the cabin also appears to have been well maintained and carefully preserved. The top is said to work as it should except for the header latch, although the seller says they are waiting for replacement locking gears to be made, so at this time it requires one manual fixing. It’s a bit of dedication.

This care is most important when considering the mechanics of the car, as these 3000GTs tend to be a bit temperamental and fragile. The five-speed gearbox has been freshly rebuilt and, according to the information in the announcement, the engine has undergone a ton of work, including the adoption of European-spec 19T turbos with pop-ups. variable pressure offs. With all the updates, the seller estimates the engine is good for 400 horsepower as is and could do 600 with a crazy thrust and some finagling.

Bringing everything home, the car comes with a clean title and only 86,000 miles on the odometer.

Now, obviously, this 3000GT is one person’s passion game. This may limit its appeal to others who may not have the same level or ardor as its seller, but this could potentially be countered with the right price.

That asking price is $28,000, which is on point for unmodified cars, and pretty low compared to the prices of contemporary Supras, so it might be a solid alternative. What do you think, is this 3000GT VR-4 Spyder worth that $28,000 price tag? Or does that just complicate things?

You decide!

Seattle, Washington, craigslistwhere to go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Paul F. for the connection!

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