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Bye bye PT Cruiser

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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 04:57 PM
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From: Mondaflore, Ikinburlistan
Bye bye PT Cruiser

I thought this model was one of Chrysler's success stories. Reports say it will be discontinued, along with the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 04:59 PM
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From: Mondaflore, Ikinburlistan
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GM: It said it will try to sell or spin off its Saturn brand, but if those attempts are unsuccessful, it will phase out the brand by 2011. It is also evaluating options for a sale of its Hummer division and sought buyers for its Saab unit. That would leave GM to focus on Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick, with Pontiac reduced to one or two models.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:05 PM
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I still don't understand why modern Saturn has failed to sell cars. It seems they actually have a somewhat decent lineup compared to other GM divisions. PT Cruiser should have been put out of its misery a long time ago - I hate those things. I see them everywhere though so they must still sell.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:15 PM
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The car I traded in on my 8 was an 2001 PT Cruiser. I put 74,000 miles on it with no issues. It was a nice car, but there were everywhere back in 2004. Nice car with a design that appealed to large age group.

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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:27 PM
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IMO, I think it is the ugliest car ever produced.

I exaggerate. But still it's pretty ugly. Not to be rude to any of yall that have it, just my thoughts.
that was a good move to stop production on it.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:28 PM
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I didn't think they had made those in years.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:28 PM
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From: Mondaflore, Ikinburlistan
I liked the PT's retro looks when it came out. I had two of them as loaners -- including a turbo version -- while my 8 was being worked on.

I'm surprised that they are being phased out considering that you see them everywhere.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexb
IMO, I think it is the ugliest car ever produced.

I exaggerate. But still it's pretty ugly. Not to be rude to any of yall that have it, just my thoughts.
that was a good move to stop production on it.
the production one was meh, now the concept car they had prior to butchering it for the general public was badass. (I thought so anyway)

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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by expo1
The car I traded in on my 8 was an 2001 PT Cruiser. I put 74,000 miles on it with no issues. It was a nice car, but there were everywhere back in 2004. Nice car with a design that appealed to large age group.

That's actually one of the better looking ones I've ever seen, expo (I've never ever seen a black one that I can think of). I've seen a few that have been modified decently but most you see are pretty bland. The ones I usually see that are modified are not to my taste - they would have like wood grain paneling and chrome luggage racks and stuff.

Yeah, canaryrx8, I always thought that concept was nice too.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 06:50 PM
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I think what happened was that they were a huge hit when they first came out, but after the novelty of the retro look wore off people finally realized what a terrible car it was underneath.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexb
I exaggerate. But still it's pretty ugly. Not to be rude to any of yall that have it, just my thoughts.
that was a good move to stop production on it.
Compared to other 4-cyl FWD cars of the day it was much better looking. It also was comfortable car to drive. The removable rear seats also were quite handy. The PT was made in Mexico along with the Dodge Journey. I wonder what they will make there next? I would be surprised if Chrysler moved a line made in the USA to the former PT plant.

Last edited by expo1; Feb 18, 2009 at 06:55 PM.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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I remembered how excited people were when this was first released. I just want them to bring back the Prowler.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 10:03 AM
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They did appeal to a large age group, especially to women. That is why you saw them everywhere. I don't think their engine reliability was a problem (Mitsu engine?), the interior was surprisingly spacious and nicely done, for the money it was a good deal, and I am assuming cheap insurance. My friend, on her insurance it says Dodge Neon. Of course, when you don't refresh a car, it sales will drop off when the novelty wears off
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Smoke Honda
I remembered how excited people were when this was first released. I just want them to bring back the Prowler.
yes, but bring it back done right, take some cues from Chip Foose"s "Hemisfear" mid engined Hemi V8 badass ride from heaven.

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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 03:55 PM
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^^^ that reminds me of the Prowler, only way cooler.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 05:29 PM
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I bet none of you haters have ever owned a PT. My Turbo has been a pretty decent hauler the last three years I'd have to say. Comfortable, reasonable small car with a nice turbo, loads of torque. It's my relief after dealing with no torque from the RX-8 on the street for a while. And talk about a deal! I got a 2004, 18 mo old, 18K miles, Turbo Limited Silver Edition, for ......da-ding ....$12,000 even...insurance is cheaper than the RX-8...and the engine hasn't blown up (like my RX-8).

Lot's of room too so I don't need a hideous SUV to haul ****, decent acceleration, pretty good mileage if you don't put your foot in it. As a DD I don't really care so much about looks, but you (and I was) may be surprised to learn how many people of all ages have come up and said to me what I nice car it is. The first few times I was like ... yea? ... and taken aback, after all it's a Chrylser, but then I got used to it. With the RX-8 I got and expected that, the PT, not so much.

All in all I give it a thumbs up as a decent car, esp. for a Chrysler. Stop hating....too bad they didn't update it like that concept. That's hot!
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 05:46 PM
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My parents own a PT cruiser limited ed. with 61,xxx on the clock and I think it's a good car. Lots of room inside, better milage than my 8 and accelerates pretty good. Only problem with the car was that the tranny went at 55,000 miles. Other than that, it's a really good car for DD.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by JTtheDude
^^^ that reminds me of the Prowler, only way cooler.
Chip actually worked with Chrysler in designing the Prowler, and this car was his dream since early in his career hence the similarities.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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The PT snoozer is gunna go hang out with the crossfire for a while....
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Spin9k
I bet none of you haters have ever owned a PT
I know it's a decent all around car but the shape/look does absolutely nothing for me. I can hate the shape w/o ever having to own/drive one. Plenty of people like these things obviously but it is the exact opposite of what I would look for in the looks department (I will always be a low-slung coupe/sedan type of guy who hates tall cars and will probably never buy a truck/suv/crossover. What era of cars do you think the PT was made to resemble? The PT looks like something like a bread van from the 30's/40's and that is just not my style. After the bombardment of retro this and retro that, it's played out and time to move on. The PT seems the worst of the bunch because you see it everywhere but doesn't it mean it's a bad car otherwise it wouldn't have sold so well - just not my style.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 12:01 PM
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PT . . . bleh. Unispiring attempt at retro. I won't miss it, but then I will still see 1000 of them each week.


Foose's Hemisfear is just sick. Cow-catcher and all . . . that'll get the kids and puppies out of your way nicely.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 12:19 PM
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It's got a fat back end, ugly grill and nothing redeeming from a spectators perspective.


The PT Cruiser looks like a hearse. Perhaps, it would make a good hearse. Maybe extend it like a limo, and bingo! a "Classy Hearse".

"PT Cruiser looks like a Hearse" Simon Cowell
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