1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT Review

1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT

VR-4 looks the part.

by: Dan Jedlicka

The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is a 155-m.p.h. sports car that is ultrasafe and simple to drive quickly, thanks to its awesome technical sophistication.

The VR-4 is the highest-priced model in the $27,050-to-$44,590 3000GT lineup, which starts with a 161-horsepower base model.

Ignore the front-drive base model, which is new for 1997, unless you just want a good-looking cruiser with strictly average performance. It's well-equipped, with items such as air conditioning, cruise control and power windows, locks and mirrors. But it doesn't have enough ponies under the hood to be anything but just another pretty face.

If you don't want to shoot for the VR-4, opt for the mid-range, front-drive $33,080 SL; at least it's got a 218-horsepower V-6 to match the 3000GT's zoomy styling and has significant extra equipment, including an AM/FM/cassette/CD player and chromed wheels.

All 3000GTs have decent room up front, but backseat space is suited only for pets or small kids. Cargo room isn't good, unless the rear seatbacks are flipped forward.

The top-dog VR-4--also sold before the 1997 model year as the Dodge Stealth RT/Turbo--has advanced items ranging from permanently engaged all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering to a 320-horsepower, 3-liter V-6 with twin turbochargers and intercoolers.

The 3,737-pound VR-4 is no lightweight, but its mighty engine allows it to zoom from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in a neck-snapping 5.4 seconds. More importantly, the smooth-riding car enters fast traffic like a land-based missile and easily keeps you out of harm's way when passing other vehicles on crowded, two-lane roads.

Unlike other 3000GT models, which are offered with an automatic transmission, the VR-4 only can be had with a six-speed manual. After all, this is a very serious car. The manual is a bit notchy, but generally shifts acceptably and works with a light, short-throw clutch.

There is little turbocharger lag when you floor the VR-4's throttle--as long as you're in the right gear. Fifth and sixth gear provide very lazy acceleration. You'll find yourself using third and fourth gears most of the time for the best performance, unless you're out in the middle of nowhere.

The unique four-wheel steering gives the VR-4 an edge in handling and makes it feel as if welded to the road during quick maneuvers. And the extra traction provided by the all-wheel-drive system can be worth its weight in gold when you drive this high-performance machine on slippery roads.

That system adds weight and some driveline system rumble sound to the VR-4 and adversely affects fuel economy: an estimated 18 m.p.g. in the city and 24 on highways.

The VR-4's quick steering has a numb feel, as does the manual shifter. In fact, the whole car feels rather numb--not at all how you'd expect such a fast, good-handling, quick-stopping sports car to feel.

Still, there is no denying that the posh, equipment-loaded VR-4 easily offers the same performance as much costlier cars with fewer standard items and more exotic nameplates.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

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