I'm at a crossroads here

Backstory -
OK well when I first got my 3000GT I came here just about everyday before transferring over to 3si.org and as some of you know 4k miles after I received the car the engine threw a rod (very used engine in a 93).

Anyway in the meantime I've been borrowing the dad's 03 eclipse GT which isn't too bad but I still crave something with a bit more power and something I can call my own instead of just borrow so I also got a job. Basically, I'll be paying for a percentage of the car with the money I earn.

Right after we got rid of the 3000 I always thought the vr-4 would be the next car I'd ever drive but more recently I've been looking into the eclipse gsx/talon tsi awd.

The things that have lured me in about the dsm models is their availability of parts and ease of power gain for a relatively low cost however the stock vr-4 traps way less times so there wouldn't be a whole lot to upgrade. I've done an immense amount of research on both the gsx and vr-4 and believe I am slowly coming to a conclusion.


Purpose -
I know this is a 3000gt section but I was curious to see what people thought of both cars. The gsx is basically the little bro of the vr-4 in terms of power and specs but I like both cars a lot and its been hard to make a solid decision quite yet. However the other purpose is to say I'm likely to become the lucky driver of a vr4 in the near future.

How much money u got to throw around? There is a huge aftermarket for both. But neway on looks and potential i give the nod to the VR4. The gsx is a I4 with a single Turbo sure it will accel pretty quick but that is elimnated by launching higher with the vr4. As for handling like auto x idk i havn't herd ne thing bout the vr4's and auto cross.

plus u dont wanna be another gsx driving around..... vr4's are much more rare and they just look so much better

Well the choice between VR4 and GSX isn't really about speed or cost, because the GSX can be easily modded to be in the 12's, and the VR4 only requires a few cheap bolt on's to put it in the 12's. It's more about styling and scarcity. Basically do you want people to look at your car and think "Oh another Eclipse/Talon, those are fast but I see them everyday", or do you want them to think "Wow that's a 3000GT, and it's the VR4 DIZAAAM!!!" (a little exaggerated but you get the point). Of course if you want to be fast AND nimble the GSX/TSI would be better just because of the size/weight comparison, you could take turns faster and more controllably than if you had the VR4 (unless you do major weight reductions).

I love both cars man, I have owned 3 first gen DSMs, a GS, a TSI and an GS converted to GS-T. I also own a 3000GT base now and a 98 Eclipse GS. so I've ownde everything but the VR-4. here is my experience.

My TSI was amazing, yes it was faster then a BPU VR-4, fastest it ever did was 11.8522, problem is it only did it twice and then went boom. My other two DSMs where always in the shop, specially the converted GS-T. I still love the first gens, they are sop much more powerfull then the second gens and gain power much quicker. when I totalled the SRT-4 I had to decide between a 96 nissan 240sx, a 97 Eclipse GST or the 3000GT base. do you know why I chose the 3000GT? because did alot of research and found out what you've probably been noticing. The 6G72 is bullet proof!
The 4G63 is great but 1. it breaks way too easily, its got week internals and well there is always the risk of crankwalk. I have had 4 so far and no crankwalk yet.....I didnt feel like pushing my luck man so I actually went for a slower base 3000GT to a faster, easier to mod DSM turbo. I might be going way faster in the DSM, by now I probably be running 13 secs instead of the mid 15s I'm doing in the 3s. but you know what.....I doubt the GS-T would of lasted as long as my 3s has. I push my baby almost every day, I run it hard at least once a week, the DSMs Ive owned prior to this would never of taken such abuse. The reason I even bought the 98 GS last week was cause my wife loves the second gen, its and auto so less chance of Crankwalk and its not gonna be modded, its just our beater.

So do you want a car that will last you a long time and eat up abuse.... or a faster cheaper ground rocket that will need more maintenance?

go ahead and ask the DSM dudes too, but I doubt many of them have owned four to date like I have!

you hit it on the spot musashi, though the 4g63 is strong stock it still isn't as strong as the 6g72... The only thing contradicting that statement was the last car I could call my own was a base dohc 6g72 3000gt that threw a rod. Everything is prone to breaking at some point but I will still agree that the 3000gt engine seems to hold up a bit stronger to abuse.

Still, whenever I raise the questions of the 4g63 motor reliabilty problems I think about building the internals but I wouldn't have to worry as much about that as on a vr-4 because the internals are strong there as well.


Both great engines, both great platforms, great potential to go fast....
Hard decisions here. I still think the 3000gt wins on looks but its hard to look past those black dropped eclipse gsx's with the greddy turbo back exhaust showing in the back....

I know bro, it is a tough choice. believe me, it took me two months to decide which to get.
I do wonder why your car threw a rod. since I have been reading up on 3000GTs (which has been around 3 years now) yours is the first I hear of such a problem. Im sure it was something serious to do that though cause these engines are tough as hell.
which ever choice you make though I will stand behind you 100%......as long as its a Mitsubishi.

Booyaah!