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Chrysler PT Cruiser (2005 and earlier)
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The price you quote is right in line, if it doesn't include the $300 Home for the Holidays rebate. I just took delivery of a 2002 Classic 5 speed, the only option was the privacy glass. The price before the "Home for the Holidays" rebate was about $16,640. The rebate knocked another $300 off. The bottom line for my car was about $17,314 when the MD tax and MVA and document prep fees figured in.
There's a lot more alike than different with the two cars, it's kind of like the difference between coach and first class in flying, both of them get you there at the same time. The comfort level is about the same, the suspension is noticably firmer with the Touring edition. Personally I kind of like the softer ride that the Classic offers. My impression of the drivers seat is that the two are identical.
I felt that the noise level in the classic was a bit lower. I think that's more a factor of the manual transmission and the engine operating at a lower speed.
I can't comment on the enhanced handling offered by the touring suspension and wheels, I don't intend to push either vehicle to its limit (especially my wifes car :-D) Again with performance, the classic is not broken in yet so I am not doing any speed runs.
The main difference that I can see between the two vehicles is in the convenience items. Although the power and security accessories are very nice, I think that my classic will give me everything I need.
The whole family loves the car, including myself, although I rarely get the chance to drive it. When I do get a chance to drive it, I am impressed with it's handling and the firm but still comfortable ride it gives. And yes, this car is still a head turner even after being on the market almost 2 years.
Our 2001 PT currently has a little over 11k miles on it and still runs like new. It is just more proof that Chrysler has done some serious improvment on it's quality over the years.
-Adam (16/M/CA)
2000 Town & Country LX w/33k miles
2001 PT Cruiser Limited w/11k miles
We love the PT Cruiser looks and versatility but that little 4 cylinder engine prevents us from buying one.
The Pacifica with the 300M 3.5L V6 solves that little problem.
I haven't seen the commercial, but here's a link that may satisfy your curiosity. If you are into mp3's, there's a ~30 second rip on their forums of the song :-)
Steve
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Revka
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You may also need to update your message center, if you bookmarked this discussion from the Vans Board. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email. Thanks for your participation. ;-)
Revka
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Sigh
Normally I wouldn't look at the hatchback or station wagon as the PT Cruiser is/isn't a hatchback/station wagon/van. In fact, what is the PT Cruiser (other than loads of fun?)
Normally I wouldn't look at the hatchback or station wagon
With all the new crossovers hitting the market, you'll also be finding a lot of other interesting "hatchbacks" and "station wagons" on these two boards. I look forward to seeing you around here. Happy motoring!
Revka
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However, I could not believe how tight the engine compartment is! Question...where is the oil filter?
I could not find it. When I asked the rep, he too couldn't find it, so he brought over a few other reps. They couldn't find it either!
You should have seen it...4 reps crawling all over this car looking for an oil filter.
So where is it?!!!
I've been lurking for awhile & enjoy the discussions on the board, so I decided to join.
I purchased a 2002 PT Limited in October. I have about 4,000 miles on it & am really happy with it so far. The dealer sold it to me for the Friends & Family price (2% below invoice, if I recall correctly) and gave me $600 more for my trade than anyone else was offering.
I purchased the 5 spd, as I thought the automatic was a bit of a dog. The only options I added were 4 wheel ABS w/ traction control, heated seats, and the upgraded radio.
This is my first Chrysler, and I was a little leery of the quality, but so far the car seems very well put together.
I would be interested to know what types of aftermarket accessories other owners are putting on their PTs.
heart93
The cruiser is very solid...congratulations on a great purchase. What color did you get?
I bought black, although my first choice would have been silver. This is my 3rd black vehicle, which basically proves that I'm an idiot. They look awesome cleaned up, but are absolutely heartbreaking trying to keep clean (especially in winter).
Case in point - I spent a few hours on Saturday getting it all cleaned up and we had an ice storm by that evening. Plus, I'm already starting to see minor scraches. For some reason I always seem to notice them more on a black vehicle.
Oh well - I'm still really happy with the car (& it does look really good cleaned up).
jpelder- "4 reps crawling all over this car looking for an oil filter."
You'd probably have better luck asking someone from the service department. Good luck. ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
sigh
I ended up getting an Alero sedan with the 5 speed and sport package. Of course, it is black! However, this is my first black vehicle so I am just learning the joys of grime removal. It may require more cleaning, but when it is clean, nothing looks better than black!
Fortunately, it is a 3rd vehicle, so if it's yucky out, we keep it in the garage and drive something else.
I love the Alero, but the cruiser has a special place in my heart.
Revka, you may be right about asking the service dept about the filter location, but that is pretty sad. Doesn't anyone change their own oil anymore?
The best thing about the car is the paint job. They have the best colors.
Bright, vivid colors make them look more like a roadster.
IMHO
One of the reasons I like the black, aside from the fact that it's just a cool color imo, is because it blends in well with the PT Cruiser bumper. I also like that dark (taupe?) color.
Btw, what does everyone here think of the new wood panel exterior? I saw a red/wood panel Cruiser at the local dealer. Kind of interesting. I think it would also look good combined with black.
jpelder & heart93- Have you tried using a car duster on your black vehicles? I used to use one on a previously owned blk vehicle, and it was very helpful in keeping down on the cleanings.
Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
With all my other vehicles, I always maintained a good coat of wax, so I could regularly wash with warm water (no soap).
I am going to try that Zaino stuff I've heard so much about.
Anyway, don't mean to take this subject off topic too much. You'll find more discussion on car dusters in some of the wax/cleaning discussions here. I know it's been mentioned a couple of times in this Women's Auto Center discussion. Start at post #3. Hope this is helpful. ;-)
Revka
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Revka - I agree w/ the black blending in with the bumper. I don't like how the unpainted bumper stands out against the lighter colors.
I have a dash duster (same idea) that I like. I'll check out the car duster.
Along those same lines, someone just turned me on to Maguiers (sp?) car cleaners. They have a nice spray on product to help take some of the muck off between washings.
What types of aftermarket accessories have other people been adding to their Cruisers? I have some ideas, but have to do a little at a time, due to funds.
Plus: Engine seems peppier and I like the Getrag transmission better. The Ecotec is smoother and much easier to work on (for what they let you work on)...more room under the hood. The car handles much better, but that's a now brainer due to the different vehicle styles. Quieter ride and better sound system.
Minus: Not as versatile with cargo. I like the base PT cruiser seats better, as well as the dash styling. Cruiser has a more solid feel and better visibility. Cruiser just looks better too.
As you can see, it was not easy for me to walk away from the PT cruiser!
I have read about the disc brakes warping on the Alero. I use my gears to slow down, so I don't expect to generate as much disc heat as most others, but I also have until 2007 to get them fixed under warranty if it does occur.
A very useful accessory for dealing with bad drivers!
jpelder - I like the spike idea. Would be an interesting accesory to explain to the trooper ;-)
Although I like the 5 spd & think the acceleration is reasonable w/ it, I do agree the shifter is a little sloppy. I see that Hurst sells a replacement shifter. Does anyone have any experience w/ it, or have you seen any information from someone who has used it?
I drove 2 PT cruisers (both 5 speed)...one early last year and one just a few weeks ago. It may be my imagination, but the 5 speed I drove recently seemed to shift better. Perhaps I was just more accustomed to the position of the stick, which leads me to...
One thing that makes the shifter seem sloppy is the driving position. You are reaching down, as if in a delivery truck, as opposed to reaching forward. THus, you have to shift more with your shoulder than with your forearm/wrist. Does this make sense?
Speaking of which - my mileage has been reasonable (around 24 mpg in mixed driving) even though I don't always drive in a conservative manner.
Let me clarify my complaint with the shifter. First, I really like the look. It is also reasonably decent in it's action. I would just like to see something that is a little more precise & has shorter throws. That's what the Hurst advertises. I was just wondering if anyone could back up that claim through personal experience.
http://208.56.96.164/photos/B5930.jpg
Thanks, David
daaron2@pacbell.net
But Dam they look cool!!
I've had it bookmarked for a long time but haven't loked at it in awhile.
The raised seating (like a van) is one of the things I like about the PT - good visibility.
txyank1 - I don't blame you for not wanting to pay that much. I don't think any vehicle is worth more than sticker. As much as I like my PT, I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't get a good deal.
Looks like it's time to tweak the ol' TMV.
I may have waited a little longer than some, but I still got a vehicle that I like for what I think was a very reasonable deal.
I also found a link to some aftermarket seats. Check it out & see if they have what you are looking for.
http://howell.mountain.net/Corbeau/Seats.html
Anyone know of updates coming for this car by around November of this year??? That is when my lease is up........ Thank you so very much....Lee W
I don't know how the dogs would fit, however I would guess that you would have to remove the rear seats which is certainly easy enough to do. You would be effectively turning the car into a 2 passenger vehicle. As far as getting in and out of the car is concerned, the doors are somewhat short (the whole car is short) but they do open widely, something like 75%.
It would seem to me that your best bet would be to go look at the car. If you need to try it out, you can probably find a car rental place where you can rent it for a week. I suspect that if you just go and look at it you may find that many of your questions are automatically answered.
As far as next November, you are talking 2003 and as far as I know, everything is still just speculation, Chrysler isn't talking.
Anyway, I thank you for your answers....and will see if I can rent one for a week.......
Lee
Try it and you will be sold on it.
Also, after enduring the reliability problems of GM and Ford products, we have been driving Nissans and Hondas for the past several years. We really like the looks and functionality of the Cruiser but we have concerns about long term reliability.
I think Chrysler has come along way in improving quality but what can we expect in the way of reliability with this car?
Thanks,
S.