1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL from North America - Comments

This car has continously had problems since I got it. When I first got it, it failed emissions and I needed to get a new timing belt to fix the problem (put in new serpentine belts and water pump while the engine was opened up). Total cost= about $850.

After that, the front right control arm just fell apart, Total cost = $750.

After that, front left wheel bearing needed to be replaced, total cost = $350.

Rear rotor replacement = $250.

Needed to change spark plugs. Total cost = $125... that's right, for SPARK PLUGS... really good design there, having to take off the entire manifold to get to rear 3 plugs.

Currently, the rear wiper does not work, the power antenna does not work, the front end feels terrible, one of the speakers is blown, and the clutch needs to be replaced. No matter how much money I put into this car, I continue to have serious problems with it.

I would generally just not reccomend this car, based on the experiences I have had.

It has very strong performance, but is generally not worth the price and does not get very good mileage.

The upkeep costs on this car have been mind boggling, the above listed problems are just what I can remember offhand.

I have a 94' 3000gt with over 100K miles on it and the only problems I have had with it is a bad alternator and I just replaced the tires. The car still runs great and I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a fast and well built automobile.

Mike.

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I have driven a 94 3000gt for almost 2 years. In this entire time the only item that needed repair was the alternator, which could be considered a wear and tear item. Great car, pleasure to drive.

The 94 3000GT SL I had I picked up used with 64k miles on it and I curse the day I drove it off the lot. Not 10k miles later the manual 5 speed went. A nut on the end of one of the shafts broke off and destroyed the entire transmission. That was about a $3000 repair with new flywheel and everything. From the looks of the clutch and flywheel I knew the last owner beat the snot out of this car. 2 months later the car failed inspection for ball joints at 81k miles. Now for some reason Mitsubishi left it was easier to make the lower control arm and the ball joint 1 piece costing about $350 for the arm and ball joint per side. While it was apart I did the tie rod ends and wheel bearings. Total cost of that repair with me doing all of the work about $900. Then the lash adjusters would malfunction in the cold of winter that had to be done by the dealer and was about $400 still not solving the problem. By the time I had 95k miles on it the exhaust broke at a flex piece on the down pipe. That repair was around $300. After that was the fuel pump another D.I.Y project with the pump alone costing me around $400.

In total the car cost me about $5000 for repairs in a little under 4 years. That was the main reason for dumping the car and the fact that the transmission was about die again at 120k miles.

The designer of that transmission did a poor job. The average life span of the 5 speed and 6 speed manuals is 60k miles to 80k miles.

For those of you who commented that you had problems with your 3000GT, you have got to remember, you bought it used. The very nature of many who buy these cars is to drive them hard. As a result, you are more likely to have problems.

That said, it doesn't mean these cars, if maintained well and not dogged at every stoplight, will not be dependable. I have seen a number with well over 200k of relatively dependable use.

As for paying $850.00 just for replacing the water pump, and serpentine belt, you got ripped if that is all they did. They should have at least replaced the cam and crankshaft seals, maybe an idler arm and a couple of more belts for that amount.

Haha learn todo maintenance yourself and youd save a killing! Also to buy aftermarket parts from performance shops online and make sure 60K mile maintenance is done. these are key to a 3Kgt's lifespan.

I also have a 3000GT 1994 SL, I love it man! Yeah the cops look at me weird, but other than that, DUDE BUY THE CAR!

I just need to repair the driver's side stop light, one half doesn't work - maybe the light bulb.. don't know, haven't checked yet.

Anyways, it's awesome to drive, very very very responsive car.

And for the fuel economy, man I got so scared when I bought it, but it averages 20-22 city miles per gallon without any upgrades (turbo's, intakes and all that).

Yeah man, it's a great car, people look at you, and everywhere you go you will get noticed.

Every think that the person you bought the car from just beat the hell out of it? I've been looking at these cars for the last 3 months; read reports and consumer complaints, and mostly what I hear is the people hate the dealers LOL... The car should have minimum problems.

I know I have a 93 3000GT, but there's not much difference, but the body.

My 3000GT is pushing 230k miles and still runs like an animal. Even with the amount of miles, it cannot be touched.

I bought it with 200k miles from a guy that lived down the street that was 60 years old and put ALL highway miles on it. So it was not beat to snot, and guess what, it still runs like a dream with little problems.

The only problems it had was a rotted exhaust and bad tires. But for all you who say it's cheap and poorly made, you are dead wrong. I would recommend this car to anyone that wants a fast and reliable car.

I have a 92 VR4 and 96 SL... the first thing I did when I bought it was plugs, wires, water pump with timing belt, then fuel pump and clutch... neither necessarily needed any of this off the bat... but it has been 4 years, and other than plugs and brakes, I have had nothing but praise for both of those vehicles...

My first one was a 95 SL... damn thing cost me over 5000 bucks... for head gasket and low compression in 2 cylinders, but my brother has owned it now for 5 years and it has not missed a beat...

My advice is to buy one in good condition with an extra 3 grand in your pocket, fix what I fixed above and the thing will prr like a tiger for years... my VR4 runs just under 600HP and is a daily driver... the SL has a stage two clutch, kn air filter, and kevlar belt... that's it... has 230k miles (VR4 has 113k).

I have had Mitsu GSX/TSi (daily broken), 328i BMW (invincible), Supra TT (expensive and no handling), Mercedes 500SL (invincible, runs forever, expensive though), Toyota AE86 (cheap easy fast classic!)