Monday, April 1, 2024

The PT Cruiser Is The Worst Chrysler You Should Never Buy

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The standard audio system now included an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack with six speakers, replacing a cassette player and four speakers. The turbocharged 2.4 L I4 was available in 180 hp (134 kW) or "High-Output" 230 hp (172 kW) versions. A "Mopar" cruise control unit became available as an aftermarket unit on 2007 models. Also, in 2007, Chrysler dealers were permitted to order vehicles with separate options (unbundled options from option packages) such as anti-lock brakes and Side Impact Airbags. Sirius Satellite Radio also became an option that could be installed as a dealer option with a factory appearance (i.e., roof mount satellite antenna). The PT Cruiser wasn’t all that bad after all, and the GT even made it a little fun to drive.

Used 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Pricing

Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Chrysler corporation made this SUV on the Dodge Neon chassis from 2001 through 2010. Here are the engines, trim levels, redesigns, and common issues you need to know about before buying a used Chrysler PT Cruiser. The first Chrysler PT Cruiser was loved for its ease of parking, use of space, and personality; and it held four full-sized adults and their luggage in comfort.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Style

pt cruise

We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. If you’re looking for a full-size recreation of a 1940s American sedan, the PT Cruiser will be too small and probably not cushy enough for you. And if you look at it as an alternative small SUV like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the PT Cruiser does not offer the same ground clearance or optional all-wheel drive. Gabrielle DeSantis brings her passion for exotic European cars, automotive adventures, and car DIY to our space daily since joining our team in 2020. As an exotic car owner and rebuilder, she finds autos writing inspiration behind the wheel and under the hood of her Lotus.

Find Used Chrysler PT Cruiser Cars for Sale by City

Its tall doors make accessing the interior a breeze and the big rear hatch makes it easy to load long or bulky items. An ample supply of aftermarket body kits and performance-enhancing add-ons allows for some wild customization at bargain-basement prices. The potent turbocharged engine has been retired, as has the manual transmission. Chrysler has simplified the lineup to a single vehicle, now called the PT Cruiser Classic, which has a single engine and transmission choice and only a handful of options. If you love driving something that pays homage to a great era in American cars, the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is your vehicle.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Will Cruise No More - Motor Authority

Chrysler PT Cruiser Will Cruise No More.

Posted: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Factory Options

It’s a 2002 Series II Dream Cruiser with the Stage One turbocharger, shown at the ESTA drag strip in Cicero, New York during the club’s Verona show (around 2008). Sales of the PT Cruiser fell dramatically in 2008 and 2009, and sales shifted from heavily loaded cars to strippers. Still, 1,304,702 PT Cruisers were made between February 2000 and July 2008 — far more than the 30,000 per year they had projected. Even if you just want unlimited WiFi, a few drinks and casual dining, these packages pay for themselves, really.

That Viral Pikes Peak-Inspired PT Cruiser With the Huge Aero Is Really Going Racing - The Drive

That Viral Pikes Peak-Inspired PT Cruiser With the Huge Aero Is Really Going Racing.

Posted: Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The PT Cruiser shares a motor with the popular Dodge Neon, namely the SRT-4 engine that many people coveted from the Neon. It produced the exact same amount of horsepower, and like the Dodge Neon tested to have a higher horsepower than the manufacture claimed. If the engine is the only positive thing you can think of when looking to buy this car, it might make more sense to just buy a Dodge Neon all together. Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site.

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The 2.4-liter, 16-valve motor is no race engine, but it does manage acceptable levels of acceleration, smoothness and fuel economy. There seems to be a good deal of low-end torque for uphill climbs, although we did find the four-speed automatic a bit slow to shift when power is immediately required. The PT Cruiser is a front-wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck in the US by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards.[11] A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. Chrysler introduced a GT trim with a turbocharged engine for the 2003 model year.

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Upgrades such as MOPAR Stage 1 and supporting turbo components were available from the manufacturer. Many of the performance parts from the SRT-4 are compatible with the PT Cruiser GT. Driving the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is much like driving any compact car, only you sit a bit higher and get many more smiles and thumbs-up signs flashed your way. The steering is precise and without vagueness, the brakes are firm and the handling good.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

The cars were manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. On March 8, 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that 1,000,000 PT Cruisers had been built.[12] The final PT Cruiser was built on July 9, 2010. A total of 1,050,281 PT Cruisers were marketed in the United States. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont.

The PT Cruiser GT had an optional 5-speed manual transmission, larger rotors and disc brakes on the front and rear tires. The PT Cruiser was front-wheel drive, and while it was a little too top-heavy to corner well at higher speeds, it was an overall comfortable and fun drive. The GT model also had a lowered suspension and larger chrome wheels that helped improve the Cruiser’s appearance just a tad. The PT Cruiser GT (also known as the GT Cruiser) is a high output turbocharged hot hatch variant of the PT Cruiser introduced as a 2003 model.

It also began offering a non-GT turbocharged car in 2004, marked with a “2.4L Turbo” badge on the vehicle’s rear. The GT version’s badge changed to “2.4L Turbo High Output.” The GT’s engine made 215+ horsepower. The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s innovative interior includes a satin-finish dash trim, a retro-looking color-keyed ball shift knob and tall, upright seating. The rear storage area features a moveable shelf that can serve as a table for tailgate parties or a privacy cover to hide valuables. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of head and legroom and a good view of the road ahead, thanks to the raised rear seats. Safety features include front side-impact airbags and a driver’s side knee airbag, but no side curtain airbags to protect the rear occupants.

For 2010, the last year of production, one trim level, the PT Cruiser Classic, was offered. Optional features included leather seating surfaces, a power front driver's bucket seat, an engine block heater, a power tilt-and-sliding sunroof, and heated dual front bucket seats. Exterior color options were Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Tinted Pearl Coat, Silver Steel Metallic, and Stone White Clear Coat. Interior updates included a revised interior with an updated dash with an analog clock in the center stack. The audio system featured a line-in jack for MP3 players integrated into the dash. Features such as satellite radio, a premium sound system by Boston Acoustics with external amplifier and subwoofer, and UConnect hands-free Bluetooth for compatible cell phones also became available in 2006.

Some models of the PT Cruiser might be worth buying, but others are a complete flop. While some people may enjoy the nostalgic, classic design, others agree that they are downright ugly. With enough power and utility to make it a decent buy, you wouldn’t be in the dog house if you brought one home – but there are definitely some better options. There is only one notably positive feature of the PT Cruiser is the motor.

Adjustable Rear ShelfThe PT Cruiser’s adjustable rear shelf can be set to various heights. The 2000 PT Cruiser grew out of a collaboration with Robert A. Lutz, who was an executive at Chrysler at the time, Dr. Clotaire Rapaille, and Bryan Nesbitt.[22] Nesbitt later went on to design the Chevrolet HHR.

It is important to note that many of the PT Cruiser’s chassis originated with the Chrysler Neon, back in 1995. This means that parts are plentiful, as are mechanics experienced with this powertrain. The downside of this outdated technology is the PT Cruiser’s lackluster performance and efficiency. PT Cruisers also do not hold much value, so they can be a cheap way to get decent transportation.

The naturally-aspirated version made 150 horsepower, resulting in lackluster acceleration. You would be hard-pressed to find the PT Cruiser on a list of attractive cars. It’s awkward, clunky body lines pair with unattractive styling of headlights and front fascia complement the otherwise bland interior. In fact, most people would say the PT Cruiser was an attempt at a retro-throwback design, and they might be right. Then in 2006, all PT Cruisers received a facelift aimed at more “modern” looks. Chrysler discontinued both the convertible and high-output turbo before the 2008 model year.

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