Those 626 Turbos were sleepers. Had a softball teamate that had one. Some lag, but once it spooled up....lookout!
I could stand some more sound deadening in the PT GT, but only if it didn't add weight (which it would, unfortunately).
I'm thinking of putting an amp for the stereo under the drivers seat. Also, thinking of adding a sub (not the one Chrysler sells) behind one of the rear panels in back. I don't want to change the head unit, nor do I want to tear into the dash or doors to replace the Infinity speakers. I just want more volume and more low end.
There are any number of after market sites that have drop in fiberglass boxes for the back if a sound system is what you are looking for. I have started thinking about some more sounds myself. First I was interested in the Cold air box, then the exhaust and the looks so the sound system should be coming on the radar about now. I am sure by now you have or have seem a Moss catalog but I think they are a good place to start.
The only thing I've done is a K&N. I don't know where I want to go from a performance standpoint. Right now I'm happy with how the PT Turbo performs and handles. If (big IF) I decide to do anything more, it'll probably to redo the exhaust.
I don't want to give up any space. That's why I'm looking for something other than a seperate box for a sub. I'd prefer to find something that fits behind the back panels (like Chrysler offers...except their's is overpriced and underdelivers).
Mounting an amp under the driver's seat doesn't seem to be much of a problem.
Simply upgrading your speakers can help a bunch and the shop that does that kind of work more than likely can give you some base boost in those speakers.
More or less. Add an amp. You can get a crossover to add base and tweeters, tweeters can be added just about anywhere. It won't give the hard thump of a sub woofer but you can improve your sound quite a bit. Most installer will try to talk you into a new head because it is easier for them to install with the amp but it is still workable with the factory head. I am no way an expert and may not state the terms just right. You can also get a removable box with jacks if you want to add some thump behind the rear seat. But better speakers and an amp will help a lot.
DC is offering a $2500 rebate on the PT Cruiser until April 30. We ordered an LE for $200 over invoice plus tax minus the rebate with heated seats and abs. Under $21K total. A deal. BTW, the rebate is good even on ordered cars AND, if DC comes out with a better deal at the time of delivery, I get that rebate instead! This vehicle is so much more solid and useful than our current Focus sedan. I am very pleased.
Been awhile since I've been on Edmunds, due to a move in progress, but the winter fuel idea for my "slow" start isn't the issue. It still cranks longer than normal with warm engne, and even seems to (initially) idle very slow at startup when warm....almost like I should be depresing the accelerator while cranking...I have tried that, no help. Due to our move to another state, we left the PT at our new home, while we load and truck the rest of our stuff. SOOOO...when we get there in a couple of weeks, I will get to try a new dealer...in SoCal. Any other ideas in the meantime to offer them some help? I just HATE that "could not duplicate/normal" response. Other than this, the car is GREAT, and this doesn't seem to effect the performance, or gas mileage, as we hit 30 MPG at 80mph with A/C on our trip from AZ to Ca last week. 5 speed.
Thanks, Boaz. I'm really looking forward to this one even though my wife nixed my idea to go for the Crossfire! (Something about the need to haul two kids in a back seat.) For $20K, the PT will have all the bells and whistles including the absolutely necessary heated seats!
I discovered firsthand how good the PT Cruiser is for someone with a leg injury. A week ago I broke my ankle and am being chauffeured around by my wife. Her PT Cruiser is extremely easy to get in and out of, the combination of the door opening nearly 90 degrees, along with chair height seating mean that I can get in and out without too much strain on my arms or good leg and without any use of my bad leg.
I did ride in a friends Matrix yesterday and her seats are just a bit lower. Although the basic concept is the same, the lower seats were more difficult to get in and out of.
than the, we can't make it duplicate the problem. Where is So Cal. did you end up? I'm in the Lake Arrowhead area. San Bernardino Mountains.
The seating position is a great plus for many people. Quite often my wife and I go out to visit her mother and we take her and sometimes her fiends out somewhere. Every one of them have said how easy it is to get in and out of. Plus the seat height is more like a chair.
One reason I picked the PT over the Matrix was seating position.
That you probably don't think of in buying the new car. However, I'm so gratefull that my wife wanted her PT as much as she did, it sure paid dividends 1-1/2 years later.
crkeehn: Sorry to hear about your ankle. Hope it heals quickly.
The ease of getting in and out was one of the first things we noticed about the PT when we first test drove one. Our dog hurt one of her rear legs a couple of months ago and the wide opening rear doors makes it possible for her to get in and out by herself without a problem. I have to lift her 90 pounds into and out of the other cars.
also likes the PT which slightly worries me. After all, if our tastes in cars is beginning to be congruent what will we disagree about? Is this a sign of encroaching middle age? Seriously, she also noticed the easy entry and egress and the chair high seats. Believe it or not, she's going from a 2000 Lincoln LS to a PTCruiser LE!
We are moving to northern San Diego County, a refreshing change from the heat of Tucson! I can't wait to drive my PT again, as it is sitting in the garage of our new house in CA, while we wait out our son's garduation from High school here in Tucson. Just a few more weeks, as he graduates 5/21. However, we ARE taking a long weekend juant to CA once more before the final move, and will get to drive the PT again then! Can't wait to shift that 5 speed!
I think you mentioned you added the hood struts? I have been considering this change for some time. Since there seem to be several options available for this, do you mind sharing what product you bought, where you bought it (them?), the cost, and how difficult it was to install? Thanks! Thinking about, and planning this upgrade will help me wait out the time till I see my PT again! LOL
Inland or Coastal North San Diego County? I'm 7 miles inland. Be sure to catch a local PT club meet and greet and Friday cruise nights in Escondido.
My hood struts are from Moss. You can get them direct or through a number of PT parts places. These are the one ones that require no drilling. Takes about 15 to 20 minutes to install. Many parts places give discounts (usually about 10%) to PT club members. Mine were on sale at the time and part of the sale was no shipping charge.
Remember, a lot of PT parts places also sell on E-bay.
Only one very minor complaint about the struts. I have to remove one of the installation bolts in order to change the cabin air filter. I'll modify the cover over the cabin air filter when I change the filter so I won't have to remove the bolt again.
In case you are wondering, Chrysler makes a cabin air filter for the PT. Cost is something like 10 or 15 dollars. It fits in the outside air intake behind the window washer tank.
I just got my new 2003 Electric Blue PT Turbo last week and I love it! The only problem is that the gas mileage is horrible, even when driving conservatively. I get about 250 miles to a tank but the car only has 600 miles on it. Should I expect the mileage to get better? My dad has a 2001 PT Limited and he gets about 23mpg on average!
One friend says his PT with AT gas mileage is averaging 23 MPG. Another friend reported over 30 MPG on a road trip in a 5 speed Manual PT Cruiser. PT Cruiser gas mileage is not in the same ball park as the Toyota ECHO or Corolla. (Neither is the styling. PT Cruiser is as beautiful as the ECHO and Corolla are ugly). I guess low gas mileage is the price you must pay for a very attractive, fun car to drive.
For those who are looking here for info on PT Cruiser quality, I would just like to note that I now have about 55,000 miles on my 2001, and I have had absolutely no problems with the car. I have done nothing but change oil and filter every 5,000 miles or less. It does need brake pads soon though.
What rwarrick said seems to be the common situation for PTs. My GT was assembled better than my Acura, but has not been totally trouble free, though not bad at all.
Needed a new steering rack and getting it properly aligned after the new rack proved to be a challenge. Dealer gave a free loaner and so far that has been the only problem.
Seems the windshield "catches" at lot and I'll need a new one soon. Lots of chips now on the top of the hood and some on the front part of the roof too. Maybe my black GT makes the chips show more because the coat under the black is white.
Fun, quick, practical, comfortable, and reliable. So, the mpg isn't great at 12-25, with the actual average a little under 17, but I knew that before buying.
I recently drove a new PT Cruiser Limited as I had never driven one of these cars and have been "smitten" with them since they were introduced. I was very impressed...surprising room and comfort and very decent performance from the 4 cyl. auto (I'm currently driving a '96 Villager which, although a very good and reliable vehicle is marginally powered by it's 150 hp V6). One thing I'm not impressed with is the mediocre fuel economy. I recently read about the new diesel that is being introduced into the Jeep Liberty. As with VW diesels, this engine seems to utilize state-of-the-art diesel technology that yields smooth and quiet operation along with impressive power and fuel economy. I wonder if this engine would fit in the PT? This combination of utility, power and economy would make this vehicle unbeatable! Are you litening, DCX?
get a PT diesel before 2007 in California. The new regulations are rather strict. My PT is a manual. With a K&N plus a cat back exhaust I get 24 average going up and down the mountain to Arrowhead. As others have stated I get close to if not a touch over 30 MPG on long road trips. I haven't tried going down to Escondido to check out their meet and greet but now that I know about it maybe I will some long weekend. That is the one thing about PTs that few, other than Miatas, have going for them, massive clubs and parts support.
The PT Cruiser is built with a turbo diesel, but for export only. I would buy one if it was available here. I've had two VW diesels, one turbo and one not turbo, and I liked getting 40+ mpg. The turbo version had enough power too.
Cruising Grand in Escondido started Friday April 4th.
PT Cruisers are usually found in the same parking lot as last year next to the Grand Avenue Florist at 237 W Grand Avenue Escondido, CA, On the corner of Escondido Blvd. and Grand Ave.
Cruising Grand is a come and go event that starts at 5pm and ends at 9pm. Feed You Face Friday Night will be held on the 3rd Friday of the month this year.
Cruising Grand goes through the end of September.
The PT Cruiser Owners Club location is at the West end of where Cruising Grand starts. Usually, the six blocks East of there is all pre 1975 cars lined up on both side of Grand Avenue.
I'm awaiting delivery of my PT Cruiser later this month. I had a question about the antenna. It looks like it's mounted on the right front fender and that it's retractable. Is it a power antenna or must one raise and lower it manually?
The long awaited comparison review of small wagons is finally out, as of mid March. This was promised about a year ago as part of the long term PT Cruiser evaluation. The PT Cruiser acquited itself well, tied for second place.
Just read the Edmunds comparison tests. Agree the Cruiser did well, but also feel the Edmunds people missed a bit on the Cruiser.
I looked at a Matrix (and Vibe) and a Mazda too. While I didn't like the non turbo Cruiser enough to buy one (almost did though), the ease of entry and exit as well as the high seating was a major factor in the Cruiser's favor. Seat comfort in my GT has been fine. Maybe the Edmunds people are not old enough to fully appreciate the Cruiser. The others in the tests are youth oriented. The Cruiser is aimed at a different customer.
I hear what you are saying. A bit more than a month ago, I broke my left ankle. At that time I discovered how easy the PT was to get in and out of. A friend at church owns a Matrix and has given me a ride in it, it is not quite as easy as the seats are lower. I don't know the extent to which that becomes a factor, but I'm sure glad we have the PTs rather than lower cars.
I think Edmunds has shown their anti-Cruiser bias more than once. Whoever the "2nd opinion" writer is, she specifically stated that she didn't like it before she drove it the first time. No objective journalism if you let her bias show through by having her re-write another opinion with her pronounced negative bias.
My 170 pound, 6 ft frame finds the seats to be very good. Also, the sound of the engine is keeping with the character of the car. It's supposed to be louder and have more "burble" to it.
Edmunds posted a test a while back that looked to be lifted from another source (who also didn't like the cruiser) based on the numbers they printed.
Some don't "get it" (clearly Edmunds doesn't) with the Cruiser. The vast majority of tests I've seen and reviews I've read, found the Cruiser to be the pinnacle of the segment it's in and still the vehicle to beat (Vibe/Matrix, Element, etc). Talking to anyone who owns one, ranks the Cruiser among the best vehicles they've ever owned. Me included.
Seem to work every bit as well as the taller stock ones. I don't remember the brand I got but I went to a Custom PT shop and picked it up. I believe Moss sells them so you simply look for Moss Motors on the WEB and select the cruiser pages on their site. California Cruisers has a good supply also.
Like many I have noticed the anti PT bias in a lot of automotive press. They begrudge its success and don't seemed to pleased with how it is priced now. They don't even like how well it does in comparisons for whatever reasons they might have. I crossed shopped the Matrix, P-5, and Suzuki and the Focus wagon. After the PT the focus wagon was the next biggest inside. Then the Matrix and while the Suzuki seems tall I am not sure if it is bigger than the P-5 or not. The P-5 was the most car like however. The fact that the PT gives you seating that seems to be close to the average height for a person to just sit in or swing out of made it a great choice for me. If you look at it the seating position is as close to a chair as you can get I think. For some reason many car magazines seem to feel we need to be sitting with our legs stretch out in front of us. Tall short doors make getting in and out of the car while parked a lot easier than long short doors. But this is real world driving, I don't think many magazine writers ever drive in the real world. I doubt that they go to the store or DYI store and may never park in a parking lot at a baseball game. They go to the office, drive to a test sight,and drive back to the office. I also bet they don't drive the cars they rave about. I once read a piece on what some of the staff at Car And Driver had for personal vehicles. It wasn't anything like I expected.
I'm an avid C&D reader. I was surprised at what their writers drove. I would have thought they would all be driving M3s or Corvettes. They drive run of the mill cars and trucks like most of us.
Of course, that's until you get to someone like David Davis over at Automobile mag (and recently, over at Motortrend). Even though he writes about some pretty exotic cars, even he drives a Chevy Suburban the last time he mentioned his personal ride.
Probably because most car reviewers believe CR reliability predictions. Toyota has always been highly rated for reliability whereas Chrysler has had problems in the past. What we need is PT Cruiser styling and utility with Toyota mechanical reliability.
The PT reliability reports I have seen show the PT to have outstanding reliability already. My PT GT was assembled very well. After purchase it had just one very minor item that needed repair - took 5 minutes. My Toyota Avalon had a few more.
Have had the PT for 9 months and it has needed one additional repair, the same number as my Avalon needed and a lot fewer than my Acura.
Judging from what I hear at PTOC club meet and greets, where between 40 and 65 PTs come for the fun and the cruise afterwards, the PT is at least as reliable as a Toyota or Honda.
The buying public does not associate this kind of reliability with Chrysler. It will take time for the good reliability reputation to build.
I haven't heard any complaints. This past winter would have challenged any car and we had no difficulty going around with either PT. Basically my road wasn't plowed for a while, the SUVs pounded down the snow somewhat.
Had a brutal winter here in the midwest, too. The PT aquited itself quite well. I think we had snow on the roads the entire month of Feburary. I can't recall any particular problems, which is probably means mine was great in the snow/ice.
I have trac control on mine, which may have contributed to it doing so well this past winter.
Regarding reliability, my PT is my 2nd Chrysler. The first is my '99 300M, which I have over 100K miles. I inherited the 300M. It was my very first Chrysler. I can say that both of the Chryslers are put together better and are more reliable than any of the previous cars I've parked in my driveway, which included an Avalon, a Camry, 2 BMWs and 2 Accords.
From what I've read on these boards, Chrysler seems to have come a very long way in the last few years in how they build their cars and their reliability.
where I live you need spike spiders of studs on the front but it does as well as most front drivers I have owned. Ice can be a pain but that is true for just about any car. With the 16 inch wheels the clamp on chains work well for me. But I get enough time off that I am tempted to stay home if it snows. Besides we only have a few days at best when the roads have snow or ice on them. But the second day the roads are pretty clear.
I love the PT and am seriously thinking of getting one. But, a very important issue for me is getting my road bike inside without removing both wheels. I know I can use a roof rack, but I prefer to keep the bike(s) inside.
Do any of you know if if a road bike can fit inside (upright) with the front wheel off and one rear seat folded down?
20 inch bike fits pretty good. Put the rear seats down and two will fit inside standing up. A road bike will fit on its side with a quick release of the front wheel.
I have a 16" frame Mountain Bike with 26" wheels. You will not be able to put your road bike in the PT without removing both wheels from the frame and fork assuming you are anal about your road bike as I am about my mountain bike and my vehicle. If it is a small frame road bike and the seat is low, you "might" be able to position it semi-vertically without the front wheel but I doubt it. Put a 1 1/4" hitch on the back and buy a insert style bike rack and you are good to go. Hitch and bike rack will probably cost $300. Good Luck.
Good question Steve. We've had three high school kids back there with no problem, but I wouldn't use the word comfort.
I measured the back seat of my PT GT and it is about 55 1/2 inches wide, with the shoulder width slightly less. This is 6 to 7 inches wider than the third row of many mini vans and SUVs. It is also about 2 1/2 inches narrower than an Avalon.
It is really a two person back seat if one wants comfort.
Three in the back seat before. Two men and a woman. But I wouldn't think it would be something you would want to do for a long drive. It isn't like an old full sized car where three people hardly touch.
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PT Cruiser?
I could stand some more sound deadening in the PT GT, but only if it didn't add weight (which it would, unfortunately).
I'm thinking of putting an amp for the stereo under the drivers seat. Also, thinking of adding a sub (not the one Chrysler sells) behind one of the rear panels in back. I don't want to change the head unit, nor do I want to tear into the dash or doors to replace the Infinity speakers. I just want more volume and more low end.
Any suggestions?
Anyone
I don't want to give up any space. That's why I'm looking for something other than a seperate box for a sub. I'd prefer to find something that fits behind the back panels (like Chrysler offers...except their's is overpriced and underdelivers).
Mounting an amp under the driver's seat doesn't seem to be much of a problem.
I can keep the head unit and still get better low end and better all around sound without a sub?
Jay
Jay
I did ride in a friends Matrix yesterday and her seats are just a bit lower. Although the basic concept is the same, the lower seats were more difficult to get in and out of.
The seating position is a great plus for many people. Quite often my wife and I go out to visit her mother and we take her and sometimes her fiends out somewhere. Every one of them have said how easy it is to get in and out of. Plus the seat height is more like a chair.
One reason I picked the PT over the Matrix was seating position.
The ease of getting in and out was one of the first things we noticed about the PT when we first test drove one. Our dog hurt one of her rear legs a couple of months ago and the wide opening rear doors makes it possible for her to get in and out by herself without a problem. I have to lift her 90 pounds into and out of the other cars.
jbollt: Same question as boaz47.
Jay
However, we ARE taking a long weekend juant to CA once more before the final move, and will get to drive the PT again then! Can't wait to shift that 5 speed!
My hood struts are from Moss. You can get them direct or through a number of PT parts places. These are the one ones that require no drilling. Takes about 15 to 20 minutes to install. Many parts places give discounts (usually about 10%) to PT club members. Mine were on sale at the time and part of the sale was no shipping charge.
Remember, a lot of PT parts places also sell on E-bay.
Only one very minor complaint about the struts. I have to remove one of the installation bolts in order to change the cabin air filter. I'll modify the cover over the cabin air filter when I change the filter so I won't have to remove the bolt again.
In case you are wondering, Chrysler makes a cabin air filter for the PT. Cost is something like 10 or 15 dollars. It fits in the outside air intake behind the window washer tank.
-Adam (18/M/CA)
(Neither is the styling. PT Cruiser is as beautiful as the ECHO and Corolla are ugly). I guess low gas mileage is the price you must pay for a very attractive, fun car to drive.
I ended up with the Inferno red metalic. Love it, too!
Welcome....you're going to have a blast driving around in the Turbo.
Needed a new steering rack and getting it properly aligned after the new rack proved to be a challenge. Dealer gave a free loaner and so far that has been the only problem.
Seems the windshield "catches" at lot and I'll need a new one soon. Lots of chips now on the top of the hood and some on the front part of the roof too. Maybe my black GT makes the chips show more because the coat under the black is white.
Fun, quick, practical, comfortable, and reliable. So, the mpg isn't great at 12-25, with the actual average a little under 17, but I knew that before buying.
PT Cruisers are usually found in the same parking lot as last year next to the
Grand Avenue Florist at
237 W Grand Avenue
Escondido, CA,
On the corner of Escondido Blvd. and Grand Ave.
Cruising Grand is a come and go event that starts at 5pm and ends at 9pm. Feed You Face Friday Night will be held on the 3rd Friday of the month this year.
Cruising Grand goes through the end of September.
The PT Cruiser Owners Club location is at the West end of where Cruising Grand starts. Usually, the six blocks East of there is all pre 1975 cars lined up on both side of Grand Avenue.
Jay
Thanks!
Jay
I looked at a Matrix (and Vibe) and a Mazda too. While I didn't like the non turbo Cruiser enough to buy one (almost did though), the ease of entry and exit as well as the high seating was a major factor in the Cruiser's favor. Seat comfort in my GT has been fine. Maybe the Edmunds people are not old enough to fully appreciate the Cruiser. The others in the tests are youth oriented. The Cruiser is aimed at a different customer.
My 170 pound, 6 ft frame finds the seats to be very good. Also, the sound of the engine is keeping with the character of the car. It's supposed to be louder and have more "burble" to it.
Edmunds posted a test a while back that looked to be lifted from another source (who also didn't like the cruiser) based on the numbers they printed.
Some don't "get it" (clearly Edmunds doesn't) with the Cruiser. The vast majority of tests I've seen and reviews I've read, found the Cruiser to be the pinnacle of the segment it's in and still the vehicle to beat (Vibe/Matrix, Element, etc). Talking to anyone who owns one, ranks the Cruiser among the best vehicles they've ever owned. Me included.
Like many I have noticed the anti PT bias in a lot of automotive press. They begrudge its success and don't seemed to pleased with how it is priced now. They don't even like how well it does in comparisons for whatever reasons they might have. I crossed shopped the Matrix, P-5, and Suzuki and the Focus wagon. After the PT the focus wagon was the next biggest inside. Then the Matrix and while the Suzuki seems tall I am not sure if it is bigger than the P-5 or not. The P-5 was the most car like however. The fact that the PT gives you seating that seems to be close to the average height for a person to just sit in or swing out of made it a great choice for me. If you look at it the seating position is as close to a chair as you can get I think. For some reason many car magazines seem to feel we need to be sitting with our legs stretch out in front of us. Tall short doors make getting in and out of the car while parked a lot easier than long short doors. But this is real world driving, I don't think many magazine writers ever drive in the real world. I doubt that they go to the store or DYI store and may never park in a parking lot at a baseball game. They go to the office, drive to a test sight,and drive back to the office. I also bet they don't drive the cars they rave about. I once read a piece on what some of the staff at Car And Driver had for personal vehicles. It wasn't anything like I expected.
Of course, that's until you get to someone like David Davis over at Automobile mag (and recently, over at Motortrend). Even though he writes about some pretty exotic cars, even he drives a Chevy Suburban the last time he mentioned his personal ride.
Toyota has always been highly rated for reliability whereas Chrysler has had problems in the past.
What we need is PT Cruiser styling and utility with Toyota mechanical reliability.
Have had the PT for 9 months and it has needed one additional repair, the same number as my Avalon needed and a lot fewer than my Acura.
Judging from what I hear at PTOC club meet and greets, where between 40 and 65 PTs come for the fun and the cruise afterwards, the PT is at least as reliable as a Toyota or Honda.
The buying public does not associate this kind of reliability with Chrysler. It will take time for the good reliability reputation to build.
I have trac control on mine, which may have contributed to it doing so well this past winter.
Regarding reliability, my PT is my 2nd Chrysler. The first is my '99 300M, which I have over 100K miles. I inherited the 300M. It was my very first Chrysler. I can say that both of the Chryslers are put together better and are more reliable than any of the previous cars I've parked in my driveway, which included an Avalon, a Camry, 2 BMWs and 2 Accords.
From what I've read on these boards, Chrysler seems to have come a very long way in the last few years in how they build their cars and their reliability.
I love the PT and am seriously thinking of getting one. But, a very important issue for me is getting my road bike inside without removing both wheels. I know I can use a roof rack, but I prefer to keep the bike(s) inside.
Do any of you know if if a road bike can fit inside (upright) with the front wheel off and one rear seat folded down?
Thanks
AL
Can it really seat 3 adults or is really more like 2 adults and one smallish kids?
Thanks
I measured the back seat of my PT GT and it is about 55 1/2 inches wide, with the shoulder width slightly less. This is 6 to 7 inches wider than the third row of many mini vans and SUVs. It is also about 2 1/2 inches narrower than an Avalon.
It is really a two person back seat if one wants comfort.