Have you driven in a 3000GT VR4?

svx_commuter · #1 05-19-2004, 10:23 AM

Care to share your impressions of this car?

Mr. Pockets · #2 05-19-2004, 10:43 AM

No, it does not get better gas mileage than an SVX.

Chiketkd · #3 05-19-2004, 10:44 AM

OK, last year around this time, I considered trading in my Lightning for a '97-'99 3000GT VR-4. I test drove three '97-'98 VR-4's over a 2 month period but couldn't agree upon an acceptable price with any seller.

Thoughts: The acceleration on those cars is sweet, but you don't feel like you're moving very quickly due to the enormous weight (VR-4's weigh a tad over 3800lbs for '91-'96 models, and 3737lbs for the '97-'99 models due to the removal of the active aero system and a few other gadgets).

The ride is firm, but not too stiff or 'jarring'. I had problems with headroom on VR-4's with sunroofs (I'm 6' 2"), and the interior room was relatively tight. The braking ability of the car was superb.

These cars have a lot of aftermarket mods available for them. The stock 9g turbos are pretty small and get maxed out around 400hp. Stock VR-4's run the 1/4 in 13.5-14.2s @ 99-101 mph (depending on MY and driver). Car mags have gotten braking distances from 60mph of around 115-124ft, and found between 0.90-0.95g's on the skidpad.

Good sites to gather info are: Stealth 316 and Stealth/3000GT Forum.

My wife always teases me that I'll buy one someday - who knows. Once I've paid off my SVX in 3 years I may look into buying one again or get a used EVO/STI.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Chike

immortal_suby · #4 05-22-2004, 06:50 AM

Drove a dodge stealth R/T turbo when I was in high school. Unbelievable how fast it felt back then. Haven't driven one since but it still stands out in my mind as one of the quickest cars I've ever been in. Can't really give you much else on it - All I remember is a ton of power that seemed to build quicker the harder I pushed it.

I've always liked them - alot classier than the eclipse/talons and almost as fast. It would be a sweet weekend getaway car and alot more tuneable than the svx.

There are a ton of them around in upstate SC. That's the only drawback for me - they are as common as mustangs, camaros, and bmw's here.

Chiketkd · #5 05-22-2004, 08:53 AM

They are pretty common! If I remember correctly, the 3000GT/Stealth , outsold the Supras, 300ZXs, RX-7's and SVX's combined.

BTW, those Dodge Stealth's look sweet!

-Chike

Quote:

Originally posted by immortal_suby
There are a ton of them around in upstate SC. That's the only drawback for me - they are as common as mustangs, camaros, and bmw's here.

SubaSteevo · #6 05-22-2004, 11:36 AM

The 3000GT VR-4 convertable is on my list of cars to own in the future.

While the 3000GT is very popular, the VR-4 is much more uncommon, especially the 99' (I think only about 1000 99's were produced). I wouldn't buy a normal Stealth/3000GT but the RT/VR-4 is sweet

UberRoo · #7 05-22-2004, 11:58 AM

Is it just me, or do they feel cheap? They look great, and go fast, but the quality really seems low. Also, I gag upon the idea of a transversely mounted engine in an AWD platform. The interior is very low slung, and for a sports car that's cool. It seems like a lousy daily driver. The layout inside is quite similar to the SVX - most things are located in the same place and work the same way. I always wondered why the Mitsubishi trim package looks great, while the Dodge's looks like crap. I think it's that infected-zit spoiler.

I wouldn't trade an SVX for one (even though they're worth a zillion times more,) but I might like to add one to my collection of AWD cars. ...if only I could get over the transverse engine. *Puke*

Chiketkd · #8 05-22-2004, 05:13 PM

Technically, they are *cheap*. The 3000GT/Stealth were built on the same 97" wheelbase platform used on the 90's Eclipse, Talon and Laser.

The transversely mounted engine is a derivative of the FWD platform's abilty to use either an inline 4 or V6 engine (later adapted to incorporate AWD as well).

The shifter on the VR-4 is very balky and vague, and the clutch is extremely stiff...it's not the best daily driver.

Oh, and the VR-4 model is quite rare. In '99, only 45 were brought to the US...

-Chike

Quote:

Originally posted by UberRoo
Is it just me, or do they feel cheap? They look great, and go fast, but the quality really seems low. Also, I gag upon the idea of a transversely mounted engine in an AWD platform. The interior is very low slung, and for a sports car that's cool. It seems like a lousy daily driver.

Chiketkd · #9 05-22-2004, 07:50 PM

Those VR-4 spyders are really sweet and extremely rare! They sold for over 60K back in '95/'96. The car was actually the first production hardtop convertible since the late 50's Ford Skyliner...

This is by far the best spyder site out there: 3000GT Spyder

-Chike

Quote:

Originally posted by BurgundyBeast
The 3000GT VR-4 convertable is on my list of cars to own in the future.