3000GT for a first car?

[silentbob]

Hello

I have just acquired my license and I do not want to drive around my parents 3.2TL any longer and want a car of my own.

I will have saved around 9 grand for this car.

I am looking into a 3000gt VR4, but i am totally new to this brand of car. There are no stickies on the top of the forum so i didnt really get any info. Also, i tried doing a search for first car, but first was removed because it was a generic term... so please bear with me as i ask some newbie questions.

I am 16 this is my first car and i am a pretty responsible driver, i will be paying for the 3000GT myself. Here is a list of questions , thanks for your patience:

1. 3000gt, reliable? easy to maintain? DIY maintenance?

2. insurance, i know i will be most likely paying premium for this, but how much a year do you think?

3. i know many of you on the forums will suggest the base model (is that the SL?) instead of the VR4 however, i really want the turbos. do the vr4s require premium gas? how about mileage?

4. is there a specific year i should look into? like do some years have better improvments / fixes than others? if so which years were they

5. drivability, fun to drive? does it handle well?

6. known issues/problems with this car and fixes?

thank you for taking your time and answering these questions... i will ask more if i can think of any :P

thanks

SB

[mitsuGTvr4]

im 17, and got my 94 vr4 in mid april, after getting my license. first things first, if you want a vr4, you have to learn to drive manual, cuz thats all they come in. and if your paying for insurance as well, thats gonna be a mother. i've seen quotes for as much as 7000 a year. as for gas, they only take premium, which can be alot, if you tend to be like me with a heavy foot, only about 15mpg on city streets. ive heard about transfer case problems and stuff like that, that you have to look for. easy to maintain...well, depends what condition the car is in to begin with, but as far as doing repairs yourself, kinda scary(for me anyway). for certain years, if you want a first generation, (91 to 93 i believe), its prolly better to go with a 93 b/c of the 4 bolt system over the 2 bolt. also, if your mileage is over 100k, make sure to change your belts and hoses. it is incredibly fun to drive, specially when the turbos pin you to your seat, and the 4 wheel drive is prolly safer than alot of other cars on the road.

[silentbob]

hey, thanks for the reply man...

i can drive a manual trans no problem

if you dont mind me asking, how much is your insurance?

also for the hoses and belts being changed, how much does that run usually?

is it possible to tune the ECU for gas efficiency and whatnot?

[Igovert500]

Alot of questions that I would be happy to answer, unfortunantly, it is late and im exhausted, so I tried a search for you as all of these have been addressed before. Thanks for at least trying a search. Try this thread
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ghlight=advice

Also do a search for "buying advice" and limit it to 3000gt forum.

For a few quick answers, this car is expensive, average on reliability(depends on previous owner's care)
My insurance was 5grand a year, now 3. I get 17mpg highway because I don't go slow. It costs me nearly $50 now to fill up the tank, it does take premium. It is possible to piggyback tune your ECU with a 300-500 dollar Air fuel controller. Generally I would say go 93-99 in year simply because of upgraded internals, but the previous years are fine too.
If you have any more specific questions that you weren't able to find answers to, ask again, and we'll get you the answers. Welcome to AF.

[mitsuGTvr4]

Originally Posted by silentbob

hey, thanks for the reply man...

i can drive a manual trans no problem

if you dont mind me asking, how much is your insurance?

also for the hoses and belts being changed, how much does that run usually?

is it possible to tune the ECU for gas efficiency and whatnot?

well, like i said, im mad young like u, (only 17), and the car is under my moms name for pleasure driving, so i think its about 800 a year...pretty sneaky right

and my engine tune cost about 1600, and it replaced all belts and hoses. my a/c also didnt work, so i had to get a bottle of freon to refil...

about tuning the ECU.....idk...im looking into it also.

[mitsuGTvr4]

on more thing....if you do get a vr-4, make sure that one of the first things you do is to change all ur fluids. not only does it help the shifter, but its good to have new oil. id suggest mobile 1 0w-40, MAKE SURE ITS MADE IN GERMANY!!! this i have found to be the best oil for turbo cars.

[racer6]

no vr4 also come in automatic

[Thourun]

I jsut bought a 3000 for my first car but I have been driving for a few years now (i'm 19), and I thought "hell I want a good looking FAST car when i'm young so I can enjoy it as much as I can" and the fact that I only wanted to spend around 7-8 grand (including insurance and gass and such for a year).

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by racer6

no vr4 also come in automatic

Umm...I highly doubt that...