The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is The Bargain Supra Alternative You Can't Ignore

With a new Toyota Supra finally on the horizon, values of twin-turbo versions from 20 years ago are going through the roof, but there's another Japanese coupe from that era; a flagship twin-turbo tech-fest that offers far better value for money
The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is The Bargain Supra Alternative You Can't Ignore

With the news that the new Toyota Supra could have a manual gearbox and maybe a more interesting engine configuration than we’d been expecting, we’ve done what any self-respecting car enthusiast would do and gone to the classifieds over a coffee.

Sadly, though, the best twin-turbo Supras are fetching north of £20,000, so at that price you might as well wait for the new one. What we did find was another muscular, good-looking Japanese coupe from the 1990s, and this one is a bit of a steal by comparison.

The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is The Bargain Supra Alternative You Can't Ignore

Picture a twin-turbo three-litre V6 with a claimed – and apparently conservative – 290bhp on tap, plus a technological arsenal including four-wheel steering, four-wheel drive and a history that spans just two owners in its 21 years. Yep, it’s a very solid-looking Mitsubishi 3000GT.

Our pick from the classifieds seems to be a UK car with full leather and two turbos bolted onto the 24-valve V6 at the front. It’s a second-gen model built for the 1996 model year, sold to an unnamed company who kept it for just nine months before selling it on to the current owner, who has kept it for the last 20 years. That’s a good sign.

The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is The Bargain Supra Alternative You Can't Ignore

Sadly this car doesn’t have the tunable exhaust system of MkI cars, but despite the electronically controlled suspension being discontinued after 1995, the seller here claims this car has it. It’s possible that this one was built in ’95 and sold a year later. It has the active aerodynamics, as well, so you’re getting a box of tricks that the Supra could only dream of.

The car’s service history looks good, with very regular oil and filter changes. The service book has some 31 stamps. It runs well, says the seller, with good oil pressure and no aftermarket mods that could upset the drivetrain and trigger big bills. The bodywork could use some attention, the advert says, but as far as remedial work goes, that’s not necessarily a challenge.

The Mitsubishi 3000GT Is The Bargain Supra Alternative You Can't Ignore

The 106,000 miles isn’t that much, averaging about 5000 miles per year over its life. That’s enough to keep the mechanicals sweet, but not enough to stress them into failure. The current MOT lasts until April next year and it’s had some recent work, including brakes, tyres, water pump, cambelt, tensioners, aux belts and two new propshaft centre bearings. These are big boxes to tick.

On the market for a very attractive-looking £4700 with a private seller, that’s less than a quarter of what you’ll pay for a good, late-model twin-turbo Supra. We’d have to say the characterful and complex cult hero you’re looking at right now might be the better buy – and we don’t think it will ever get more affordable than it is today.

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Comments

Valanti Demetriades

I think the new Forza game is a better bargain for me

08/26/2017 - 16:02 |
14 | 4

can you drive a forza cd box?

08/26/2017 - 17:01 |
8 | 0
[Flux]

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

YEEEEEAAAAAAH

08/26/2017 - 16:06 |
4 | 0
[Flux]

It’s also a budget Skyline killer. The 99 GTO VR4 can outrun an R32 easily. Same for the R34 and R33.

08/26/2017 - 16:07 |
106 | 2

I’m not even joking with that. Plus, the thing has ACTIVE AERO. IT’S A SUPRA AND SKYLINE MIXED TOGETHER. BUT IT’S BETTER THAN BOTH.

08/26/2017 - 16:08 |
68 | 0

Contrary to what people say, this is actually true

08/26/2017 - 16:45 |
8 | 2

3000gto squad

08/26/2017 - 17:00 |
8 | 0
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by [Flux]

How to sell an EV
1) Name it GTO
2)???
3) Sell it to Flux

08/26/2017 - 17:09 |
34 | 0
Griffin Mackenzie

In reply to by [Flux]

Budget until you realize how hard it is to work on the motor lol

If you love bloody knuckles and banging your head on stuff trying to see into impossibly tight spaces then this is the car for you

08/26/2017 - 17:46 |
22 | 0
Kyle Ashdown

Personally, I liked the looks of the Dodge Stealth more, but both were just wicked cars

08/26/2017 - 17:13 |
10 | 0
Griffin Mackenzie

LOL HOW BOUT NO

08/26/2017 - 17:35 |
6 | 4
TurboToddler (Straight-five)

But the JDM mk4 Supra actually had an option for active aero

08/26/2017 - 18:36 |
2 | 0

Find one with it for the same price.

08/26/2017 - 20:40 |
4 | 0

Not in american markets 😭

08/26/2017 - 22:52 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

USDM VR4 models made up to an advertised 320hp. At 5’11, I’m a little too tall for these cars. I’ve driven a couple, and I sit too close to the headliner with the seat all the way down and in a comfortable position.

08/26/2017 - 19:10 |
4 | 0
InjunS2K

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Ah, the joys of being 5’10

08/27/2017 - 01:25 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

If only Mitsu made a RWD 4G63T(I know there’s the Starion and Galant Lambda, but they are rare and their engines are old).

08/26/2017 - 21:16 |
4 | 0
InjunS2K

STOP HYPING CARS I WANT TO BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08/27/2017 - 01:23 |
14 | 0