The late 1980s and early 1990s were a boom time in Japan. It’s often referred to as the bubble era. When stock and real estate values inflated in Japan, budgets for auto production also expanded. Suddenly, incredible Japanese supercars—like the Nissan 300ZX, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX7, and Honda/Acura NSX—became available at relatively affordable prices.
Mitsubishi got in the game with their corporate partners at Chrysler. The pair threw nearly every performance trick at the drawing board, and everything stuck. The results were the Dodge Stealth and cars like this 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 recently for sale on eBay.
A Technological Wonder
Most companies in that market simply added power to a traditional sports car layout. But Mitsubishi went extreme.
On top models like the VR4 model, Mitsubishi used twin turbochargers to force the three-liter V-6 to 300 hp, driving all four wheels. Four-wheel steering, automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers, and adaptive, electrically controlled suspension made the big four-seat coupe handle well.
The 3000GT VR4 was heavy compared to others, but the all-wheel-drive made it a rocket off the line.
Beyond the tech, the styling of the 3000GT was wild. There were wings, spoilers, and vents everywhere. The vents ahead of the rear wheels remind us of what’s on the Ferrari Testarossa. The pop-up headlamps are an era-specific detail that I’m afraid we’ll never see again. But it’s such a cool touch here.
Early 1990s pop-up headlights for the 3000GT and Dodge Stealth are usually available on eBay.
Evil Twins
The 3000GT had a mechanically identical twin in Dodge showrooms—the Dodge Stealth. The Stealth had slightly subdued styling compared to the 3000GT. But it was still remarkably popular.
Brochure for 1993 Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo AWD
The Stealth was designated the official pace car for the 1991 Indianapolis 500. But it wasn’t an American- or union-made, so the UAW objected. As a result, Dodge hurriedly put forward a prototype of the upcoming Viper as a replacement.
This 3000GT is a one-owner car with under 25,000 miles on the odometer. And it appears to be nearly new. Unfortunately, there aren’t interior or engine bay photos to confirm what’s happening under the hood.
From what we can tell, this 3000GT has black leather seats. The model’s interior is comfortable for two, while the rear seats are best reserved for a small dog or a weekend duffel bag. Nonetheless, these cars make wonderful long-distance tourers that can hustle should the road turn twisty.
The Buy-It-Now price of $49,800 might encourage investors to put this Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 away. But that would be a shame. Instead, we believe the new owner should take every opportunity to drive this nearly-new car—an experience that most of us missed out on three decades ago. So grab some Aviators and a fresh mixtape. Then, tighten the seat belt and hold on tight.
