Well I had my 8 in the shop for about 2-weeks getting some curb damage repaired, just got it back yesterday. Had a PT Cruiser rental during that time. Here's how the two vehicles stack up:

Motor: cruiser features an advanced powerplant with nearly twice our displacement (2.4L american muscle) A quick romp on the throttle and a few seconds later the motor responds with a roar! It's easy to find yourself approaching freeway speeds after just a few short minutes

Chassis/suspension: the cruiser is much more forgiving around corners, in fact the body barely seems to care what the wheels are doing at all!

Driving feel/driver involvement: easy around those corners big guy! the cruiser rides high in the saddle and keeps the driver engaged by feeling as if it might roll over at any moment

Cheezburger: the cruiser does not come standard with any cheeseburgers at this time

I did not get a cheeseburger with my Cruiser loaner, either. But I got a turbo.

I traded in a 2001 PT for my 8. Put 75,000 miles on it with no major problems. I would recommend it to anyone that needs basic transperttion with a little style.

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15275&d=1082248237

I felt the same way about a loaner Mazda 6, but I'm sure the PT Looser is far worse..

I like the PT.

Too bad there is no romm for stuff, otherwise it would be a replacement for my van.

Now if it was 50% larger.

i never knew what 'PT' stood for.

Party Time Cruiser

i never knew what 'PT' stood for.

Personal Transportation

I really hate the looks of the PT. When it first came out, it was a novelty, now they are just ugly.

I think the PT Cruisers look like a hearse...

I think the PT Cruisers look like a hearse...

+1 i always call em "the mini hearse"

lol, by the look of this title, i figured this to be a race thread...

...and realized that all it lost when the 8 is now facing such a evil adversaries as the PT.

:rolleyes:

My Turbo PT El Supremo will the beat the 8 off the line any day. But then it's an auto. Wind it up and let it go. Then after a bit the engine feels like a hi-speed thrashing machine, which means you're got too many RPMs going on. However, once overdrive kicks in, it all settles down to a nice quiet ride, soft and benign, unless you try a fast corner. Then, "Woooaaaa there sonny, slow this thing down", it says in no uncertain terms before heeling over. Otherwise it's a great grocery getter with a bit of spice and lots of options. And I always have M&S tires just for grins BTW. Plus is has std brake ducts.

Makes the 8 a real treat in comparison, handling wise.