So I was browsing Autotrader when I was bored...

andrewdodd13

andrewdodd13

andrewdodd13

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... and found this. Now, I would point out I don't really have much intention of buying it since the insurance was more than the car, but surely that's a lot of power for the money? What's the catch with these beasts? I realise it's pushing on 20 years old now, but still. Was the NSX that much better?

Since I'm procrastinating anyway, what else should I be looking at on the 'trader? I've got that new car itch and I'm looking for suggestions. Criteria? Sporty, moderately quick, preferably reliable, pretty? Not diesel. Other things I've looked at so far, just to give you an impression of my wildly varying tastes:
335i (Coupé, but I'd go for a saloon in the right spec)
MX-5 (Didn't fit :()
GT86 (As above...)
M6 (hey, it was only £19k...)
RS Clio & Megane 225 -- Liked the Megane, Clio was a bit spartan on the inside. But not really sure I want a hatchback...
LCR / Golf GTI -- They're so very meh.

Now, the reason I ruled a lot of these out is that I'm still torn as to whether I want to spend a lot of money on something really nice, or try and it keep it under £3k or so (I'd basically break even selling my current car at this). Hence how I came across the 3000GT -- 3.0-3.9L under £3k. There are a lot of S-Types for this money...
 
The 3000GT's are very good, if very heavy cars. I believe the main issues with them is the array of various computers around the car which are expensive and a right pain to fix as they break with age. I think there's an owners club that can fix the computers nowadays as it was stupid expensive dealer prices to fix the smallest issue on them till not too long ago.
 
Comparing this to a NSX is like comparing a Lambo to a Lotus. They're are not even remotely similar. Apart from the fact they're both Japenese!

The 3000/GTO is a big, heavy, 4WD, twin turbo, brute force GT'esque car probably more suited to covering big distances cross country with minimum time and effort.

The NSX is a light, RWD, agile, N/A screamer of car more suited to being thashed within 100 rpm of its rev limiter on a track.

As for recommendations, you need to be more specific about what you want. Whats most important to you? Performance? Practicallity? Reliability? Image? Comfort?

Its hard to recommend something with such a wide set of criteria.

Audi TT/S3
Civic EP3 (Just)
Accord Type R
Volvo V/S/C70 T5

Etc
 
Disco Boy said:
They break often and cost a lot to fix.
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My friend has one still, his goal was 666BHP but managed a bit under 600. I once went for a ride in it. I say once because that's all it took to not really want to be a passenger in it again!

His was tuned and maintained by Suniyaka (sp?) and looked/sounded glorious but it was off the road more times than I can remember due to bits breaking.

It had unbelievable grip though, for something so big and heavy I could not believe it.
 
I would be terrified about the complicated steering gizmos going wrong and maintenance on them and availability of parts. Bet it world cost a fortune and ive no real idea if they're amazing enough to justify the cost and you'd have to be a a real jap car fan
 
Disco Boy said:
They break often and cost a lot to fix.
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I beg to differ. My gto has had zero issues in the 2 years ive owned it. Issues are only vorn through modifications.

The 3000gt is a good car. Ok its not a drivers car and most mechanics are afraid of it. But if you can follow instructions and use a spanner then the online community will solve any of the specialised issues happily enough.
A mildly tuned one will see you do 0-60 in 5 seconds is not to be sniffed at!
Excuse any spelling mistakes im on my phone :)
 
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They're cheap now, and unfortunately most are treated like a cheap car, rather than the ~£40,000 sports car that they were when they were new.

If it is actually a 3000GT (ie a UK-spec car) and not a GTO (Jap-spec car) then it'll have slightly bigger turbos and a little more power as standard.

I'd still like one, even though my Legnum VR-4 is much more practical, has a better 4WD system (the 3000GT won't have AYC) and is still about the same weight!
 
LizardKing said:
I beg to differ. My gto has had zero issues in the 2 years ive owned it. Issues are only vorn through modifications.

The 3000gt is a good car. Ok its not a drivers car and most mechanics are afraid of it. But if you can follow instructions and use a spanner then the online community will solve any of the specialised issues happily enough.
A mildly tuned one will see you do 0-60 in 5 seconds is not to be sniffed at!
Excuse any spelling mistakes im on my phone :)
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I will second all this, I have had mine for 9 years now. I have had an issue with the timing belt jumping, cost me a few hundred pounds to get new valves, but other than that its a really reliable car that has cost me very little for the abuse I heap on it.

As for handling, I dotn know abotu most users here but "sprited" road driving is far different to thrashing around a track in a road test on Top Gear. In the real world it has good grip and is loads of fun. AWD for the snow so thats good! If pushed too far it will understeer, at that point its your own fault rather than the cars tho imho since you wil likely be driving like a loon and have no place on the road.

There are some specialists around and a lot of second hand parts for the electronics so costs are quite low. Get it inspected by someone who knows, there are a few mobile mechanic people in the owners club who can help there and dont be afraid to push on price. They arent moving in this current climate so prices are likely to be flexible.

Expect fuel costs to be quite high, 24 mpg on a run is good, usually see a few lower mpg general driving.

Lastly if its somewhat of a toy you can easily modify at cheap cost to increase power. Its a double edged sword as reliability suffers, but the option is there at very little cost.
 
[GSV]Lemming;22371530 said:
I will second all this, I have had mine for 9 years now. I have had an issue with the timing belt jumping, cost me a few hundred pounds to get new valves, but other than that its a really reliable car that has cost me very little for the abuse I heap on it.
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A fellow GTO/3000gt owner :D Are you on either of the forums?


Confused said:
If it is actually a 3000GT (ie a UK-spec car) and not a GTO (Jap-spec car) then it'll have slightly bigger turbos and a little more power as standard.
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Car in the OP is a GTO so smaller turbo's but also one less cat. They dyno at 10-20bhp less than the UK counterpart (easily reclaimed with a air filter / exhaust) but will come with a whole lot less rust!


Op if you are interested then you will need specialist insurance, high street firms usually will not touch them, let alone an import :rolleyes:
Try Sky, Adrian Flux or A-plan:)
 
If your up for spending 19K on an M6 dropping 2K on this, and ow god it blow's up and now you only have 17K to spend, isn't that bad is it?
 
Draeger said:
That 3000GT is about 10 mins drive from me. :)
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snap


seems a bit of a bargain tbh. years ticket from a dealer so a bit of comeback if it falls to bits in the first 5 minutes. bleeding cheap


still prefer a pulsar though
 
Hxc said:
Why? It reduces turning circle at low speeds and increases high speed stability when changing lanes and the like. The only downside is the chance of it going wrong.
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I love the 4WS on my Prelude, makes the car easier to park, doesn't make it seem as lardy as it is and gives it a unique kind of feel when driving it.

I really hope it doesn't break, well at least not in my ownership. :p
 
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