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Chrysler PT Cruiser
It's more modern than ever before, but doesn't lose its retro appeal. Join us for a sneak peek at the upcoming PT Cruiser.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Compact Wagon
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Compact Wagon
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what do you all think?
this would give it a more finished look since the bumpers are now painted to match the rest of the PT, unlike the early models that were released.
On a side note I took my 04 GT back to the dealership and had them paint the side view mirrors to match and total cost was under 300.00 and it makes a huge difference in the look.
Two surprising bits of information: Chrysler claims much improved sound proofing (I had one and thought it was already pretty good) lowering the noise in the cabin by 5 db, which is great; and they are promising to match Chevy's new HHR on pricing. We'll have to see about the pricing, because Chevy is now toying with the idea of pricing their cars to market, instead of pricing them high and then rebating them heavily.
My guess is that Chevy wants to revert to the old model of "tough negotiators will get a grand off, once in a while we'll throw out a special rebate of a grand or so, but not too often." The cycle of rebates is messing up everyone - it makes the cars look like they depreciate too fast, because the ALG and other guides report resale values compared to MSRP, not to actual selling prices, etc., plus in California at least we have to pay sales tax on the "price before rebate" so it is better to buy a lower MSRP or discounted car, than a rebated car.
I don't think either car is a "hot" seller but in the beginning they run the assembly lines slowly to ensure quality, and there are enough buyers who want novelty that there is no need to discount until they ramp up productio and the eager buyers are replaced by more routine buyers. The Mustang and the Chrysler 300 are "hot" sellers.
The new front look on the PT could prove to be a marketing disaster.
Loren
In the intended market the PT Cruiser has no competition. Chevy came too late with too little...
Loren
I like the 2005, so I bought the current design. New is said
to be more quiet on the road. These are interesting cars. I
have never sat so high in a car before. Must be like an SUV
in respect to a driving position. Having fun just crusing, but
within a few years, once again hear the call for sports car,
RWD , driving fun. This PT makes a good primary and will
make for a good second car as well. Sure can carry a lot of
stuff! I got the stick, so it is still a little fun.... not a Miata, but
fun in its own way to CRUISE in. - Loren
The optional engine in the HHR requires premium gas, has more HP than the base PT, but 3 # less torque than the base PT.
Auto manufacturers are in transition in the way the measure horsepower right now. There is a new SAE test that requires an independent witness. I believe the HHR numbers are in accordance with the new standard, but the PT Cruiser numbers are old numbers from years ago. Look for a possible change in the 2006 ratings.
BTW, the dealer couldn't tell me how much the '06 would cost me. He said I'd have to order it and find out the cost when it arrived! Do you think it was a 'sales job' or do you think the dealers really don't know the costs of the new models yet? Hmm.
You got the last of the original cool PT cars. Next year they are messing with the design in what I believe to be all the wrong ways. But that's only one man's opinion. Others may like the new PT better. These do not have the worlds best gas mileage, but they are fun and practical in other ways. I just bought a base PT with a stick. So far zero defects up to 2k +.
Loren
I am not impressed at all. Glad to have bought the '05 recently. Don't like the
new controls, the dash, the exterior changes on the new model. A step backwards.
Loren
Loren
Dave
Decided to see if I could do a trade up, since this one may be a lemon ready to die an early death. Well I ......
Tried to do a trade-in to get a 300, but they wanted to give me less than trade-in Kelly Book --- just great. Once you have a Chrysler, I guess they got you. Good bye Chrysler!
First offer was $8,500 for my 2005 PT.
I know better. Never buy anything but Japan makes new, unless you are sure you can live with them for ten years. Well, maybe a Mustang or Corvette will have some resale, but forget the rest. Japan makes for resale is the only way to go.
-Loren
PT has its good points, and may be worth holding on to few years, or maybe even longer as a second run-around car.
-Loren
First, on the oil consumption issue: it is not unusual for cars to use oil. I had a 2001 VW Golf which was fine in every respect except for using a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. Many owners reported up to one quart being consumed every 600 miles. Oil consumption is related principally to the manufacturer's philosophy about oil use - some, like VW, believe an engine should use measurable amounts of oil, or else the upper cylinder and valve guides are not getting proper lubrication.
In the old days lubricant companies even used to sell so-called "top end oils" which you would add to the gas (like a 2-stroke) to make sure the top cylinder and valve guides got some lubrication.
VW puts a robust catalytic converter in their cars, and isn't worried about early catalytic converter death due to scant use of precious metals - early death usually occuring due to oil burning off and trace metals in the oil additive package contaminating the converter.
Other manufacturers don't want the possible warranty expense on their converters, and build such tight tolerances that little measurable oil is used. The tolerances are so tight that 5-20 oil is required (as well as for fuel efficiency).
Second, PT Cruisers hold their value very well, with two caveats. You need to be careful for what you buy a new one for - they go on sale, and the used market price is clearly based on the discounted prices, not the MSRP. Second, the early PT used to be "novelty" vehicle and sold at full sticker (which was full indeed) or at a premium, so as the PT has become more plentiful (and taken for granted), and prices have come down, that affects the prices of all the used ones - even the ones bought by early adopters at a premium. That happens to every manufacturers' popular vehicles.
We got a great price on both our 2004 and 2006 PT's. When we traded in the 2004, it didn't seem like we got as much for the PT as for a Scion xA traded in at the same time - until we compared actual purchase prices to trade-in allowance, then the PT was doing fine (the dinky Scion xA cost us about $2,000 more than the PT of same year).
Where can you get a nicely equipped, solid, quiet vehicle with all the utility - and nice styling - of the PT for under $13k? They are a steal! I am really very appreciative that Chyrsler took the time, and spent the money, to make a mid-cycle product refresh (much better soundproofing, better standard equipment) this year, knowing that the PT would still need to be discounted heavily to compete with the Scion xB, the Honda Element, and the Chevy HHR.
It's a great time to be a PT owner. And it's shopping paradise for American car buyers. With rare exceptions, American cars are a bargain these days compared to imports, and the JD Powers and Consumer Reports indicate quality is certainly acceptable - the defects are measured in terms of 3-7 defects per 100 vehicles, which means it is more likely than not than most owners will have no defects at all, regardless of country of manufacture.
Sorry to go on. I have been buying way too many cars over the past 5 years (I was car-deprived before that, taking the bus in the city), and at first negative reports like yours would scare me off. Now I know that most people have positive experiences, and that these boards attract more complainers (who have legitimate gripes, in many cases) than pure fans (who are happy to just get on with their lives).
I will likely just keep adding a quart of oil between changes and keep the Chrysler until I get another brand of car. So far, only the noisy fan was replaced. Replaced with a fairly quiet one. Or I may keep the little guy as a second car for running around town and hauling and get another sports car some day for fun and travel. If the car is worth like $10K, there isn't too much to lose in keeping it. Keep it for five years of more, it will be a great investment, if the engine doesn't blow. Oh yeah, I have the 7 year plan on that - so tow the puppy!
The car is fun enough to drive, though the too high seat position makes it slightly awkward for shifting. Body and interior seem tight. Other than the engine, the car is pretty close to Japan quality.
I looked up Consumer Reports on the PT. Interesting that the engine reliability is acceptable, but less so than the first couple of years. Interesting.
JD Powers indicates something it falling:
2005
Initial Quality Ratings (0-90 days) definition
J.D. Power Overall 3 / 5
J.D. Power Mechanical Quality 2 / 5
J.D. Power Body & Interior Quality 2 / 5
2 out of 5 rating is less than previous years.
-Loren
I will agree the price is low enough on a PT. Thank goodness for that. Would not want one for more than $14K.
-Loren
-Loren
Changes that MIGHT happen: adding side air bags to more trim lines; folding the Limited and Touring into a single model - or ditching the base and having it go Touring, Limited, GT; adding more power equipment to the Base model if the trim lines are not condensed (but that makes it hard to use the Base model as a loss leader to get people out to Chrysler lots).
The upcoming major platform change makes it very unlikely we'll see more than a change in ordering options in '07. In '08, though, the sky could be the limit - the new engine series from the Caliber; a CVT transmission instead of a 4 speed, if the public accepts the CVT in the Caliber; possibly (but not likely) the availability of the 2.7 small v-6 in the PT (not likely since Chrysler has historically preferred the turbo route to the v-6 route, and the Caliber is coming out soon with a turbo version of its new 2.4); AWD; standard side curtain and side torso airbags; bigger wheels and tires, standard (think: Caliber).
In fact, I'd study the Caliber carefully, and assume that the mechanicals and features of the new Caliber will be an accurate guide to the mechanicals and features of the new PT.
The good news, is that the Caliber is "so" Dodge (the Ram front end, for example) that Chrysler needs a small vehicle of its own (the PT) so I don't think they will discontinue the PT. It WILL be interesting to see what they do with the rear suspension, since the suspension on the PT is expensive, but allows a very low trunk floor, while the Caliber has a high trunk floor (less efficient) but a better (in traditional thinking) handling style rear suspension.
I know GM employees get several employee friends of the family or GM driveway numbers to give out every month or so. Also Ford offers X-Plan pricing (all you do is join a Ford affiliate company (EAA for $40.00/year), and after one year of membership you become eligible for X-Plan pricing. I have purchased two Ford products this way. Also,several years ago, I received a GM Driveway Number from someone in one of the GM forums. It saved me some dealer advertising fees and was below invoice pricing.All they did was email me the GM discount #.Plus, I want to get rid of my Cobalt.
I don't know if this is the right forum to ask this...but....if anyone out there can help out, my Email is lised...just click in my nortsr1.
Thanks in advance (just in case)
The four is kinda ruff, but it gets the job done. My car seemed to be using oil, but perhaps that consumption is slowing now. At around 12K miles on the car, I think the consumption is around a 1/2 Qt, per 3000 miles. I panicked too soon, when it appeared to be using more oil. While perhaps not Japan engine quality, I guess it is better than I gave it credit for earlier on. Noisy somewhat, but it is suppose to be an old time kinda car. And I assume, since the 2006 model is more quiet inside, you hear less of the engine thrashing around.
Anyway, I think the engine is using less oil now, or my eyes are seeing the stick differently. Could be the engine needed more miles to break in, though I am told there really is no break in period. Oh well, will keep ya posted one way or another on oil consumption. Perhaps all is well now.
While I still prefer some things about the first interior and exterior, the new PT having less road noise on the highway would be a plus. I hope they lower the seats an inch or two. I can barely swing that clutch in all the way. I am short, but not short. :shades: For an automatic, perhaps it matters less.
-Loren
I think the DOHC engine in the PT is pretty neat. It has a lot of torque and decent power (150 hp, which isn't THAT impressive these days, but 165 lb-ft of torque, which IS). Our 2006 really moves out. Of course, the gas mileage isn't great, but it isn't much worse than the new Caliber which is reportedly something of a turtle despite all the new bells and whistles (variable valve timing) in the new engine. Personally, other than the variable valve timing, I think a lot of the design work in the new generation engines was to make them easier and cheaper to manufacture and to make them easier adapt to forced air induction.
A half quart per 3,000 miles is pretty low consumption. Of course I used to own VW's. If you change the oil every 3,000 miles anyway (always a good idea, since it IS a high output engine crammed into a tiny - hot - engine compartment) you'll never really need to top it off.
Keep us posted, have fun!
I was all set to purchase a 2006 PT Limited and when I read several days ago about Chrysler coming out with "Employee Pricing" I figured that it would pay me to wait....Wrong decision....so now I will just wait until the Employee pricing is discontinued on July 31st and HOPE that Chrysler goes back to the PREVIOUS rebate incentive plan.
When I spoke to the salesperson at the dealership yesterday....he actually agreed with me, that, in fact,it now does cost more to purchase a PT... because...when Emp[loyee pricing is in effect, they have to sell at THAT set price from the mfg. and cannot change that price.
Well, NORTSR, you will just have to wait it out...Better luck next time.
There is no way I could shuttle my little family around in a Ford Focus, which is lighter, with a smaller engine, and gets better gas mileage (especially good for 2007). Not even in a Focus Wagon -- the seating position is lower, with resulting less rear seat legroom than the PT.
At least the PT gets better gas mileage than a typical minivan or small SUV (although I will admit that the Honda CR-V we had before did get 3 mpg better gas mileage, but we all got tired of its harsh ride).
So while the PT isn't the ideal single commuter vehicle, it is GREAT for family use. (I will, however, reconsider this if the kids start getting a LOT bigger.) In fact, I think it has one of the better MPP around!
Thank you,
Kelly
No, no one volunteered their assistance. I did, however, purchase a new 2006 PT Cruiser, Limited at invoice, less the $2000.00 rebate and NO added dealer costs, plus it already had been pin-striped, etc. and those costs were also deleted. Just remember, when leasing, negotiate your best "bottom line price and don't forget those BIG rebates that Chrysler is now offering. The 2006 models are "plentiful" and the dealers want to "UNLOAD" them!
If you are not good at negotiating and do not know th "ins and outs" of a good lease deal....MAKE SURE you take someone with you that knows leasing. At least go to the lease forum and read the posts and "how to negotiate a lease"!!!!
This is in snowy NE Ohio and an 06, so I am sure that they would love to get rid of this unit.
According to Edmunds' TMV Pricing Report the...
TMV -------------------> $18,230
Chrysler Mailed Rebate-> -$1,000
Chrysler Dealer Rebate-> $3,500
Total------------------> $13,730
That total amount can't be right..can it?
Somebody please give me some insight asap
Thanks, mranton89
I have a 2003 pt cruiser that has had three water pumps replaced since new. Thank goodness under warranty. After the last one was put in, about 5 months later, the car gives off this Pancake Syrup Smell when the heat/ac/defrost is on. Any suggestions.? The car has been checked out twice. No leaks, the last time the dealership told me to pressure wash the exhaust manifold. Doubt that will help.
Coolant has kind of a sweet smell to it.