Say goodbye to the PT Cruiser...
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 2
From: Rhode Island
Good riddence to the PT Cruiser. That thing was right up there in looks with the AMC Pacer(remember that thing)LOL.
And the PT Cruiser was the biggest piece of junk mechanicly speaking also. My uncle bought one of them brand new in 06 and his Cruiser was at the dealer shop 8 or 9 times in the first year he owned it for many different breakdowns. After the first year he traded it for a Kia. He said it was the worst vehicle by far he has ever owned.
And the PT Cruiser was the biggest piece of junk mechanicly speaking also. My uncle bought one of them brand new in 06 and his Cruiser was at the dealer shop 8 or 9 times in the first year he owned it for many different breakdowns. After the first year he traded it for a Kia. He said it was the worst vehicle by far he has ever owned.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,422
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The whole idea of the PT Cruiser, like the Chevrolet HHR, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, is to do a somewhat retro design....in this case, like the gangster era of the late 1930's.
And the PT Cruiser was the biggest piece of junk mechanicly speaking also. My uncle bought one of them brand new in 06 and his Cruiser was at the dealer shop 8 or 9 times in the first year he owned it for many different breakdowns. After the first year he traded it for a Kia. He said it was the worst vehicle by far he has ever owned.
Interestingly enugh, though, the PT Cruiser, for reasons unknown, was better-than-average in reliability for its first few years (while the Neon has always been unreliable), then declined afterward to a reliability level more consistant with the Neon.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jan 19, 2009 at 05:48 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,540
Likes: 273
From: Illinois
Well, it wasn't supposed to look like a modern car, despite the fact that it has modern headlights, bumpers, etc....
The whole idea of the PT Cruiser, like the Chevrolet HHR, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, is to do a somewhat retro design....in this case, like the gangster era of the late 1930's.
The reason it is uneliable is, like I pointed out in a previous post, the fact that it is done on the Dodge Neon platform...which was also an unrelicabe car.
Interestingly enugh, though, the PT Cruiser, for reasons unknown, was better-than-average in reliability for its first few years (while the Neon has always been unreliable), then declined afterward to a reliability level more consistant with the Neon.
The whole idea of the PT Cruiser, like the Chevrolet HHR, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, is to do a somewhat retro design....in this case, like the gangster era of the late 1930's.
The reason it is uneliable is, like I pointed out in a previous post, the fact that it is done on the Dodge Neon platform...which was also an unrelicabe car.
Interestingly enugh, though, the PT Cruiser, for reasons unknown, was better-than-average in reliability for its first few years (while the Neon has always been unreliable), then declined afterward to a reliability level more consistant with the Neon.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
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From: tech capital
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
It's too bad that Chrysler didn't come up with a second gen model of this vehicle. Not that I'm a fan of the PT Cruiser, but if a second gen model could have sold as strong as when the first gen came out, I think it could of helped out Chrysler immensely. Poor decisions like this, in addition to poor product design (like the current model Sebring) are what are contributing to the demise of one of the big three.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,422
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
It did have a turbo 4 option, like some Neon pocket-rockets, but with (as you note) the typical crudeness/lack of refinement that mark a lot of Chrysler-designed engines.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,586
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From: FL
Love them or hate them, but a PT crusier turbo is a great sleeper, having the same 2.4l turbo engine as the neon srt-4, and can be upgradded the same way. In stock form not the pretiest car, but when modded right, think 1930s hotrod, with custom paint etc.. they can look good. Also PT's are really popular with audio competations, you can fit all kinds of equiment, including big subwoofers very eaisily. It wil be remembered as a unique car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,422
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
"Ugliness", of course, is a relative and subjective term. For example, I don't think its late-1930's styling is as ugly as some of the vehicles in production (or other recent vehicles) today. The first-generation Scion xB, Pontiac Aztek, first-generation Subaru Tribeca, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and second-generation Lexus SC430 (sorry, Andrew....that was not a stab at you personally 
), and the new Audi and Acura grilles are what I would consider unattractive.
), and the new Audi and Acura grilles are what I would consider unattractive.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
PT cruiser production ends. Move over PT ....hello Fiat 500
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/29/r...bly-line-on-j/
Chrysler's long-lived PT Cruiser will finally roll off into the sunset next month after a decade in production. According to the Detroit Free Press, when the 2010 model year winds down at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant on July 9, the final Cruisers will be produced. The retro-styled five door hatchback was a sensation when it debuted and inspired customers to pay a premium over the sticker price to get one. Over the years, the styling was tweaked only slightly its competitiveness declined significantly as DaimlerChrysler steadfastly refused to invest in it.
The Cruiser was originally earmarked for discontinuation a year ago, but when Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, it needed product, so the automaker kept it alive for another 12 months. The Toluca factory will now be re-tooled for production of another retro-design small car, the Fiat 500 which joins the Chrysler lineup later this year.
Chrysler's long-lived PT Cruiser will finally roll off into the sunset next month after a decade in production. According to the Detroit Free Press, when the 2010 model year winds down at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant on July 9, the final Cruisers will be produced. The retro-styled five door hatchback was a sensation when it debuted and inspired customers to pay a premium over the sticker price to get one. Over the years, the styling was tweaked only slightly its competitiveness declined significantly as DaimlerChrysler steadfastly refused to invest in it.
The Cruiser was originally earmarked for discontinuation a year ago, but when Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, it needed product, so the automaker kept it alive for another 12 months. The Toluca factory will now be re-tooled for production of another retro-design small car, the Fiat 500 which joins the Chrysler lineup later this year.
