What do you think of 3000GT VR4 Spyders?

[Syringer]

I saw a black one today with chromes, and it looked soo sweet.

This isn't the one I saw but it's pretty close.

And in case you don't know its specs..it comes with a twin-turbo charged V6 producing 320 hp, and with AWD it can run 0-60 in the low 5's.

I think it was also the first vehicle to come with a retractable hard top..before Mercedes every did.

It's a bit over-priced, and reliability is pretty bad, but it's a rare gem out there, and is one of the fastest cars you'll see on the road when it is working.

 

[amnesiac]

Like you stated, overpriced and unreliable, and IMO not all that pretty..kind of bulky, but I do have much respect for its engine.

Hopefully they'll do something better with it in the future.

 

[dirtboy]

I think they are unreliable and as cool as they might be, you'd better have alot of cash and a second car around for when it's in the shop.

 

[LAUST]

I've smoked one up at the track pretty good in my TOW truck

 

[KokomoGST]

Unreliable? Ask Minendo... he owned quite a few 3000GTs/Stealths. I've talked to a lot of 3S VR4 owners... powertrain is supremely reliable. It's just that Mitsu and DC dealerships are the devil.

I think the convertible mechanism would be the main reliability problem on top of the crushing weight of the convertible extras. I'd just get a regular non-convertible version.

 

[Spooner]

Mmmmmm...... looks sweet with top down

 

[SherEPunjab]

i don't care for vr4s. they are what, twin turbo, outputting 330hp with v6 engines, but their 60 is only 5.4 and quarter is like mid-high 13's for what 50k new (when sold). Top it off with the fact that its a mistubishi, and you have yourself a real loser.

My friend had one, and while it was fast, most of us were not impressed when a supra rolled up next to it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Ford had retractible hard tops in the 50s and there were probably cars doing it before that so the vr4 spyder is nowhere near the first. Nice looking car though.

 

[boyRacer]

THe VR4 was heavy enough... a Spyder is even heavier... its a nice grand tourer though...

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Ford had retractible hard tops in the 50s and there were probably cars doing it before that so the vr4 spyder is nowhere near the first. Nice looking car though.

Yeah, not exactly groundbreaking technology for Mitsubishi.

 

[Syringer]

Hmm, yeah apparently the 3000gt is the first car to have a retractable since the '59 Skyliner..

 

[Siddhartha]

Does it have a chasis flex problem?

I always thought they were cool looking cars. It has more than enough real world performance and handling. You would not get one if you wanted a racer.

How much does one cost?

 

[Mutilator]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
Does it have a chasis flex problem?

I always thought they were cool looking cars. It has more than enough real world performance and handling. You would not get one if you wanted a racer.

How much does one cost?

I don't think I ever read anything about them having chassis flex problems.
The 95-96 VR4 Spyders still go for $25-35K. They're very rare and most of them are very well taken care of. I'd love to have one myself but I'll have to stick with my base 3000GT for now. Great cars... good looking, rare, great performance. Like was mentioned above they're the first retractable hardtop convertible since the 50's Ford. The down side to ALL 3000GTs/Stealths is the cost of parts and maintenance. Not all dealerships know what they're doing with the cars and those that do charge a small fortune to do the work.
Ex: 60K maintenance - belts, pulleys, filters, plugs, wires - $1200.
Also the aftermarket isn't all that big... there's a couple places trying to change that but their prices are high since the demand just isn't there.

 

[Double Trouble]

I've been the very happy owner of a 3000GT VR-4 for a loooong time, and I've had very little to do other than the basic maintenance and upkeep. No major issues.

The one complaint I've always seen on this car is that it's too heavy to be a 'real' sportscar, but to me that's a non-issue. The 320bhp V6 is plenty powerful enough to squish you in your seat nicely. The car is stable, provides for a very nice ride, unlike the 'vettes it actually has a back seat (albeit a small one, but I've managed to get 3 people in the back seat before when needed). That, and it's also full time all-wheel-drive, which (even though I live in Ohio!) has kept me from ever getting stuck in snow or ice. It even has 4 wheel steering, which is probably more of a gimmick than anything else, but still....

I'd love to have the Spyder version!