Need Some Advice, possible 3000 gt owner Options

[dmudd]

hey guys im new to this section was on the eclipse section for awhile sold it with the plans on goin to the dark side (honda crx with a b16) but i got a call today from my dad saying something about a 3000 gt his friend has... hasnt mentiond price said hed take a few pics for me.....i do kno its a 5 speed and not a vr4.... is there any thing i should look at and check into with these cars i want some thing reliable....... also hows the plat form with the 3000 gt for modding

[BlinkRA182]

basics...91-96, both the Base and the SL had the DOHC V6...but in 97 and up the Base has a SOHC, which has very limited mods, so avoid that one.

The main thing to check for is the timing belt and water pump service. I needs to be done every 60kmi. If it's not done, the belt can snap and ruin the engine...so it is very important. If it needs to be done, plan an about $350 in parts, and as much as $2000 in labor. If your not a do-it-yourself person these cars are expensive. Also check for smoke on startup. A little is normal, but anything excessive is probably valve stem seals. Also, the 1-2 and 2-3 synchros can be a problem on the 5-spds, so make sure and test drive before you buy.

Parts and mods are readily available for the DOHCs...if you know where to look. From turbo "kits" to stock replacement and body kits, theres a pretty good aftermarket if you know where to go. Get ready to spend a bit more on parts than your old eclipse, and be prepared to do ALL your shopping on the internet. Forums like this will become your best friend. 3si.org is "3000GT Stealth International", it's the owner's group. Tons of resources there with everything from vendors to galleries, and the largest 3/S forum anywhere, and inclues seperate forums for your geographical area.

I could go one for a few more paragraphs, but just let us know if you actually pick it up

One more thing i forgot to mention..3/S owners are probably the most dedicated and helpful group in the automotive world. Not trying to trash any other forums or platform owners, but if you ever have a problem with your car, 1 post on 3si will have help literally at your door. It really is a fantastic group of people to be associated with.

[dmudd]

well i go to test drive it monday so ill know more then i did find out its a 92 or 93... i saw a few picks looks real clean.....second are all 3000s awd or are some front....and how reliable are these cars my eclipse was most unreliable thing ever

[spike-3000gt]

well i go to test drive it monday so ill know more then i did find out its a 92 or 93... i saw a few picks looks real clean.....second are all 3000s awd or are some front....and how reliable are these cars my eclipse was most unreliable thing ever

depends on how you look after them if they are reliable or not !!!!!

think you will find that only the tts steath and gt are 4wd.....well they are over here anyway!!!
if its a sl it should be rear wheel drve.

[JeffWVR4]

The twin turbo models (VR4 and RT/TT) are all AWD. All others are FWD. None are RWD only. The cars are reliable if maintained properly. If you start modding, things tend to break easier, especially on the turbo models because of the amount of power available with proper mods.

[Lewiman06]

if you think your eclipse was unreliable then just turn the other way to the 3000GT. they are a money pit. buy yourself a lexus, in the long run it will be cheaper!

[BlinkRA182]

if you think your eclipse was unreliable then just turn the other way to the 3000GT. they are a money pit. buy yourself a lexus, in the long run it will be cheaper!

yea...but then you'll be stuck with a Lexus...

Honestly, if your looking at a 3000 you probably like the styling and uniqueness. No Lexus, aside from the overpriced IS-F, would make it in my dream garage.

They are plenty reliable as long as you keep up with maintenence and dont buy a ragged-out beater. Make sure the tranny's good and make sure the 60kmi service is up to date. I've been daily-driving my VR4 for more than 4 years now, and other than general upkeep, everything ive done to it has been by choice.

[dmudd]

thanks for the replys i know the guys wife drove it and that the tranny was just replaced.....the guy is a mechanic he builds harleys n stuff.....well see monday whats up.......

[dmudd]

wow i was just lookin at aftermarket parts and wow there twice the price of my eclipse......ill up load a interior shot my dad sent me and a out side shot but im lost on where to start up grading if i get this im goona need alot of help (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[dmudd]

basics...91-96, both the Base and the SL had the DOHC V6...but in 97 and up the Base has a SOHC, which has very limited mods, so avoid that one.

The main thing to check for is the timing belt and water pump service. I needs to be done every 60kmi. If it's not done, the belt can snap and ruin the engine...so it is very important. If it needs to be done, plan an about $350 in parts, and as much as $2000 in labor. If your not a do-it-yourself person these cars are expensive. Also check for smoke on startup. A little is normal, but anything excessive is probably valve stem seals. Also, the 1-2 and 2-3 synchros can be a problem on the 5-spds, so make sure and test drive before you buy.

Parts and mods are readily available for the DOHCs...if you know where to look. From turbo "kits" to stock replacement and body kits, theres a pretty good aftermarket if you know where to go. Get ready to spend a bit more on parts than your old eclipse, and be prepared to do ALL your shopping on the internet. Forums like this will become your best friend. 3si.org is "3000GT Stealth International", it's the owner's group. Tons of resources there with everything from vendors to galleries, and the largest 3/S forum anywhere, and inclues seperate forums for your geographical area.

I could go one for a few more paragraphs, but just let us know if you actually pick it up

One more thing i forgot to mention..3/S owners are probably the most dedicated and helpful group in the automotive world. Not trying to trash any other forums or platform owners, but if you ever have a problem with your car, 1 post on 3si will have help literally at your door. It really is a fantastic group of people to be associated with.

why is it so much to change the timing belt 2000 holy shit is that the max if so what it normailly cost?

[dmudd]

here are a couple shitty pics my dad took and sent to me off his 3 year old cell phone lol


(IMG:http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm161/audiofreak_2008/gfd.jpg)

(IMG:http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm161/audiofreak_2008/dgfd.jpg)

[EMC 3000gt]

These cars are not cheap, I have over $15,000 in mine over the past four years. Proper modifications are NOT cheap. This car was NOT cheap. The SL went for $32,000 in 1992. 32K is quite a bit today with most people making 60k in 1992 most people made half that.

[BlinkRA182]

why is it so much to change the timing belt 2000 holy shit is that the max if so what it normailly cost?

Alot of shops, and even alot of dealers, do not want to work on these cars. If you can find a shop that specializes in 3/S's in your area they will definitely be less. I seem to recall one of the popular 3/s tuning shops offering something like 1000 INCLUDING parts...which is pretty good.

[EMC 3000gt]

The cars are the equivlent to a C4 corvette that is why its expensive to work on them. Its not that they are any more difficult then a civic its just that they require car specific techs at the dealerships which is why it costs more and smaller garages will follow suit.

Parts are a premium as well because the car is specialty car. Like I said an SL was about 32k in 1992 by 1999 the VR4 was 49K That was ten years ago. Today $49k is what a BMW 335i without the navi runs... If you adjusted for the time and what not a 2009 3000GT would cost close to 60K.

If I was doing the Timing belt waterpump and belt service I would charge you $1500.

[dmudd]

The cars are the equivlent to a C4 corvette that is why its expensive to work on them. Its not that they are any more difficult then a civic its just that they require car specific techs at the dealerships which is why it costs more and smaller garages will follow suit.

Parts are a premium as well because the car is specialty car. Like I said an SL was about 32k in 1992 by 1999 the VR4 was 49K That was ten years ago. Today $49k is what a BMW 335i without the navi runs... If you adjusted for the time and what not a 2009 3000GT would cost close to 60K.

If I was doing the Timing belt waterpump and belt service I would charge you $1500.

i c.... so overall how do u guys like your cars are u guys happy and is there any one here in indiana thay would be willing to help a newb out.... im not basing my decion on what u guys are telling me but im not goona jump into something i cant hadle

[BlinkRA182]

I absolutely LOVE my 93 VR4. I will never sell it. Had it for 4.5 years and it still puts a huge grin on my face. Love the styling, love the interior, love the performance.
I'm actually looking at buying a second one...and will probably want a 3rd after that. You'll find that alot of 3/S owners have more than one...they are very addictive cars to own.

I will admit though, they are definitely not for everyone. They do take some sacrifice and dedication to own. The YOUNGEST of these cars is 10 years old...things WILL go wrong...but just like any car, if you take care of it, it will take care of you.

[girly vr-4]

These cars are not cheap, I have over $15,000 in mine over the past four years. Proper modifications are NOT cheap. This car was NOT cheap. The SL went for $23,000 in 1992. 23K is quite a bit today with most people making 60k in 1992 most people made half that.

price fixed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) the n/a's were in the 20k range. non-optioned twin turbo's were in the high 20k-low 30k range back in 91-93.

[Lewiman06]

the dealer paper (paper in the window at a dealership with all options and pricing) on my 1992 Stealth R/T Twin Turbo was 32,500. i'm sure the mitsu was more then that......

and to do the entire 60K tune up on mine, (belt, pump, seals, tensioners) was like 460 in labor, and then whatever you buy your parts at. if you get your parts elsewhere then it is way cheaper, but they won't warrenty them....... thats all up to you.

[dmudd]

just a quick question is the 92 base dohc?

[94gto]

dmudd where are u at in indiana im in southern indiana close to louisville ky