Chrysler PT cruisers?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

 

[Louise2cv]

Do they remind anyone else of 2cv's, in their shape? No? ok.

[gtd2000]

I had a couple of PT's when I was working in Canada and wrote my own review on epinions.com at the time, here it is:

 

http://www.epinions.com/review/auto_Make-2003_Chrysler_PT_Cruiser/content_110332710532

 

I’ve been driving a silver PT Cruiser GT Turbo for some 4 weeks now and I am generally very happy with the vehicle.

 

The overall build quality has impressed me and I’m somewhat confused to the reasons why so many people put down Chrysler cars using this vehicle as the benchmark. To contradict myself in the next sentence, I have recently driven for a period of one week, a Chrysler Sebring, which, in my humble opinion is a rather miserable, cheaply built vehicle by comparison.

 

The GT has been driven approximately 3000 miles in the last month and it has been very comfortable and gets me from A to B in a somewhat quick manner. I’ve not tested the top speed of this car but it does get to 100mph effortlessly.

 

I like the looks of this car but many of my colleagues are not impressed at all with the looks – I think it is essentially a “love it or hate it†scenario. The interior design of the car is perfectly satisfactory, however, some of the positioning of the controls is awkward – to adjust the door mounted mirrors it is not a simple reach to the conventionally placed armrest controls. The mirror control is located near the dashboard on the left side of the steering wheel and cannot be reached while looking into the mirror (I’m 6 feet tall) this is a minor if niggling complaint though.

The electric window controls are in the middle of the car, which, to be objective, is probably a more sensible area for the controls to be located, however, after decades of controls being located on the driver armrest it is not the first place your brain on autopilot decides to move your fingers towards.

 

As mentioned earlier, the overall build quality is very much to my expectations, however, the car scores a few minus points in the rear door closing sound/feel department. You have to close the door quite firmly for it to fully engage with the lock – minor complaint really.

 

Visibility of the car is very good when looking forwards, however, it is somewhat poor when looking over your shoulder to check for vehicles coming up behind you – the positioning of the door mounted mirrors helps to compound this feeling of rearward blind spots.

 

Fuel economy of the car is not wonderful at an average of 23mpg during the last 4 weeks but I’m sure it is generally acceptable for a powerful 200+hp 4-cylinder engine. Most of my driving has taken place on the highway so this figure is probably higher than what many can expect to see running around town. Then again it has been driven fairly hard (*grin*).

 

One aspect of the car that would need to be sorted out is the overall handling. The car corners reasonably well on a smooth surface, however, when you hit a variable road surface the suspension does not inspire confidence in the least. The lower specified non-turbo version of the PT Cruiser is a terrible handling car on rough roads, however, the GT Turbo, although a significant improvement is still very far short of what I would expect from a car of this rated power output.

 

In summary, I would happily own one of these cars if the handling was sorted out. Other than that, there is nothing about it that I could not live with.

 

Condition: Used

Model Year: 2003

Model and Options: GT Turbo

I'd actually expect these cars to be generally reliable overall as (from what I understand) they use a Hyundai/Mitsubishi sourced engine which should be pretty well bullet-proof surely?

[chaseracer]

They don't like thumping great V8's driving past them very much!, There was a fleet of them yesterday at the show i was at with the wanky flames, chrome bits and Texas style flags and crap all over them, each one with there alarms going off.

Good work there! Approve.

 

[chaseracer]

This is your typical PT cruiser in this country.

 

 

Bugger. Here comes breakfast again.

 

[chaseracer]

Do they remind anyone else of 2cv's, in their shape? No? ok.

God NO Lou!!!!

 

Bit like an AllAggro from certain angles, though...

[whitevanman]

I can't believe with prices for these in the dumper, that more modsters haven't boshed them onto a RWD chassis.

thats my plan when I can get a cheap one

[Louise2cv]

Do they remind anyone else of 2cv's, in their shape? No? ok.

God NO Lou!!!!

 

Bit like an AllAggro from certain angles, though...

Oh c'mon Dave, The flat back, the slab sides the sticky-out wings, bulbous nose...

 

I reckon looks-wise you be hard pushed to get closer for a retro "new 2cv" like the New mini and new beetle.

[Station]

There's nothing that screams out Americana like chrome plated ABS moulded plastic is there?

[Cavcraft]

I can't believe with prices for these in the dumper, that more modsters haven't boshed them onto a RWD chassis.

thats my plan when I can get a cheap one

What do you call cheap?

[seth]

There's nothing that screams out Americana like chrome plated ABS moulded plastic is there?

I'm wondering what these people would be driving and "personalising" if the PT cruiser wasn't there for them.

[whitevanman]

I can't believe with prices for these in the dumper, that more modsters haven't boshed them onto a RWD chassis.

thats my plan when I can get a cheap one

What do you call cheap?

Not entirely sure, but probably depends if it's actaully working etc and could be used for a while before I build a chassis for it...drop me a PM if you want and we can see if we are anywhere close

[whitevanman]

There's nothing that screams out Americana like chrome plated ABS moulded plastic is there?

I'm wondering what these people would be driving and "personalising" if the PT cruiser wasn't there for them.

probably a Chevy ....... whatever the daewoo models are called

[Mr_Bo11ox]

There's nothing that screams out Americana like chrome plated ABS moulded plastic is there?

I'm wondering what these people would be driving and "personalising" if the PT cruiser wasn't there for them.

Motability scooters

[whitevanman]

There's nothing that screams out Americana like chrome plated ABS moulded plastic is there?

I'm wondering what these people would be driving and "personalising" if the PT cruiser wasn't there for them.

Motability scooters

PMSL....aye I never thought of that

[Formula Autos]

I'm wondering what these people would be "personalising" if the PT cruiser wasn't there for them.

The walls of a padded cell?

[eddyramrod]

New Beetles, most likely...

[whitevanman]

It's called the HHR. Didn't sell very well, at all, compared to the PT's success in the showroom.

 

Strewth thats an Ugly Fucker

[eddyramrod]

Ain't it just! But drive around America, you do still see a bunch of 'em. I think the PT outsold it 3 to 1 or something...

[messerschmitt owner]

I can just about live with the looks of a PT Coffin Dodger but the owners are onanists of the highest order!

 

Had one on the ferry back from Dunkirk once with his metallic flake paint, lambo doors and la cucuracha playing on his horn every five minutes. He was obviously compensating for something!

[seth]

It's called the HHR. Didn't sell very well, at all, compared to the PT's success in the showroom.

 

Strewth thats an Ugly Fucker

Looks to me a bit like a prison transport van with those massive pillars and tiddly windows.

[Station]

probably a Chevy ....... whatever the daewoo models are called

Chevy built the same sort of throw-back vehicle to compete with the PT. It's called the HHR. Didn't sell very well, at all, compared to the PT's success in the showroom.

It looks identical to the the type of stuff the US car companies are trying to compete against, cheap Malaysian and Asian cars, but much cheaper quality.

[gtd2000]

From my own observation the HHR was completely over-priced and that's probably why it didn't sell.

 

I expected to see PT Cruiser range price tags on them but I'm sure they were mainly around the low $20k's and upwards.

 

I didn't mind the look of them overall though - just a load lugger at the end of the day.

[gtd2000]

It looks identical to the the type of stuff the US car companies are trying to compete against, cheap Malaysian and Asian cars, but much cheaper quality.

Back in 2007 I had quite a few vehicles and was living/working in Oregon.

 

For work use I had the following trucks:

Chevy Silverado - best quality Yank interior and nice diesel

Dodge Ram - Diesel (what a hoot!!!) and Hemi (slug like compared to the diesel - horrible seats and interior.

Ford F150 (Handsome but very cheaply built and totally gutless)

 

For personal use I had a KIA Sportage 2.7L V6.. in the most basic spec... it was of far greater quality than any of the American trucks - and to think when I got it I immediately asked if they had something else instead!

 

I recon the Americans build cars to a similar standard of early 90's Korean stuff.

 

It's a shame really as they do have some pretty decent looking designs but once you sit in the cars and drive them the whole illusion evaporates.

[warren t claim]

I believe LTI used to sell a kit for the PT Cruiser to make it look like a TX1/2 from the front.

 

I don't have a problem with the car per se, just the people who drive and decorate them. In fact out of all the American car makers I have a soft spot for Chrysler/Dodge. Especially after my wonderful and much missed '88 Dodge Caravan.

 

A couple of years ago I had a play with a new Mustang and I was shocked by the quality of the plastics. Think Mk3 Escort. (sub GL spec).

 

To quote Frank Zappa, "What we've got here's American made, It's a little bit cheesey but it's nicely displayed".

[vim]

i have a fucking pt and i like it (its perfect shite cus no one else likes them)

[red5]

Only decent-ish one is the CRD - Merc-ish lump. The rest are toss, the 2.4 having the same performance as your average 1.6, Turning circle of the QE2, ride of a Frontera and a penchant for knocking front lower arm bushes out if you dare to turn 2 corners in a row.

 

Shite indeed. Pass me the Autotrader....

[trigger]

I quite like that red Chevy built one, I prefer it much more to the Chrysler version.

[scooters]

PT = particular turd

 

fuckingawfulwankshit cars

[strangehighways]

On looks alone, I actually quite like them.

 

I imagine they are awful to drive. While in the USA, I briefly drove a Dodge Avenger with the 2.4 petrol unit, and it was horrific.