Should FCA re-launch the PT Cruiser?

"GreenN_Gold" (GreenN_Gold) 02/09/2016 at 15:51 • Filed to: None

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This is a hypothetical, and not a car for me or you necessarily, but to help the Chrysler brand and FCA’s bottom line. The Chrysler brand could use a small cross-over type thing in their lineup. The PT Cruiser was very popular, and has been off the market for a while now, and was never granted a second generation. They could build a new PT using a Fiat platform, this could be yet another kissing cousin to the 500X/Renegade platform, with focus on making it roomier inside. It would probably drive better than the old one and actually get good gas mileage this time around. It could help FCA’s CAFE situation. Could a new PT be an inexpensive hit for FCA?

for Michigan > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:01

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I think that would be great as the Dodge version of the Renegade. Ditch the off-roader pretense, lower it a bit, make it handle well.

CalzoneGolem > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:01

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I’d love a PT Cruiser with updated suspension and drive train.

FromCanadaWithLove > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:02

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I’m surprised they haven’t sold more of the 500X. Maybe it’s a brand issue? They should probably just advertise more.

mazda616 > FromCanadaWithLove 02/09/2016 at 16:08

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Fiat just has a horrible stigma for being unreliable. The fact that they finish last in all kinds of reliability surveys and such doesn’t help. I know lots of people who’d buy a Dodge but wouldn’t buy a Fiat. Of course, there’s a lot of the “Buy ‘Murican!” mentality around here.

GreenN_Gold > for Michigan 02/09/2016 at 16:10

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I don’t think Dodge will get more than the Dart. The Caliber was a bust compared to the PT. Maybe the next Journey will be on a Fiat platform.

Probenja > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:13

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Haven’t they already made one?

GreenN_Gold > FromCanadaWithLove 02/09/2016 at 16:14

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I think there’s still time for awareness to build around the 500X. I just wonder if Fiat hasn’t already saturated the market with various models. I bet there are customers out there that would have selected the X but already bought a different Fiat.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:15

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It’ll work if it’s done right. We laugh at it now, but the original car was a smash hit when it was launched, it was the “must have” car of the decade. Chrysler couldn’t build them fast enough.

GreenN_Gold > Probenja 02/09/2016 at 16:19

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That actually crossed my mind, but that might be too big. Even if they went that big, I think a PT Cruiser version would easily outsell the 500L.

GreenN_Gold > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/09/2016 at 16:23

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I remember. And “we” may laugh at them, but Jalopnik is a poor bellwether for this type of thing. Lots of people that buy cars, like my mom for example, would still buy a PT. She test drove one last time around.

for Michigan > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:25

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The Caliber was an awful car, though. Something in that class executed at the same level as FCA’s recent products should go over well no matter who sells it.

And isn’t the Dart being discontinued at the end of its life cycle? They’ll need something to replace it.

Not saying that’s their plan. Just what seems to make the most sense to me.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:26

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They brought back the Pacifica nameplate, so why not.

for Michigan > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:27

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Oppo/Jalopnik is one of the few places I see any love for the PT. Pretty much everyone I know thinks of the car as an awful joke anymore.

Nobi > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:29

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They already kinda did.

Seeing as FCA rebadges Chryslers and sells them as Lancias, it just makes sense.

CalzoneGolem > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:30

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I saw a PT at my mechanic. Purple just like mine but kitted out how I always wanted mine.

I know that objectively they are bad but I still love them.

GreenN_Gold > for Michigan 02/09/2016 at 16:32

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I just don’t see it being a hit or a fit for Dodge, but I did like the old Hornet concept. That’s probably too small, though.

My current understanding is that the next Dart (or whatever replaces it) will likely be built by a different manufacturer, but plans seem to change all the time at today’s FCA.

GreenN_Gold > for Michigan 02/09/2016 at 16:33

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You’re just not hanging out with enough moms. : )

GreenN_Gold > Nobi 02/09/2016 at 16:34

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I’ve seen that thing, but I don’t think it’ll pass U.S. regs.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:34

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Reddit actually had an Askreddit thread dedicated to how someone ended up with a PT Cruiser. It made the front page. The hate isn’t from just Jalopnik.

zeontestpilot > CalzoneGolem 02/09/2016 at 16:36

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And better hwy mpg. Of course, I’m thinking of the auto...

for Michigan > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:38

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That’s actually funny because the people I know who are most vocal about how much they dislike PTs are women in their late 20s to early 40s, aka moms.

GreenN_Gold > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/09/2016 at 16:45

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Reddit is not the target market for a PT Cruiser.

Think about it, they ended up with a PT Cruiser. Meaning they never wanted one in the first place.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:46

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That’s how you end up with one now, though.

GreenN_Gold > for Michigan 02/09/2016 at 16:47

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Old moms. Grandmas even. (My mom is both.)

I wouldn’t expect any young people to like the PT Cruiser. They didn’t like them the first time around either.

GreenN_Gold > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/09/2016 at 16:48

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Well they’re no longer for sale, but I think you’re missing the point. Tons of people bought them.

Nobi > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 16:59

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I highly doubt it would too. I don’t even think they still make it. The resemblance is uncanny though.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 17:01

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Yes... I think a new Chrysler PT cruiser would be a great idea. It would compliment the Chrysler 100 sedan nicely.

The big issues with the PT Cruiser of the past were the cheap seats, fuel economy that was ‘okay’ with the manual, but lousy with the automatic and it needed a better automatic transmission.

Zip-McBump > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 17:08

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They could easily adapt an existing chassis into a new PT, but they’d be jumping the gun. You see, the PT has such a stink on it that you’d need at least another decade before people could look at a new one and not immediately be reminded of all of the shitboxes from years past.

Kinda like how GM had to wait a while to introduce the Gen 5 Camaro... they had to let all of the bad vibes that the mullet-mobiles of years past generated.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CalzoneGolem 02/09/2016 at 17:14

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They’re not that bad. I owned one.

Just get one with the manual. You’ll get noticably better performance and 20-30% better real-world fuel economy compared to the slushbox.

They have some trouble areas, but nothing insanely expensive or truly terrible.

When they hit the 7-8 year old mark, you’ll probably have to replace the radiator, some hoses, cooling fan and the thermostat housing.

The timing belt (Done every 160,000km at a cost of ~$900) and clutch slave cylinder ($600) jobs are more difficult than other cars, but it’s not impossible or insanely expensive like many Euro cars. And once you fix something, it will be fine for a while.

And a PT can handle heavier loads better than most other small cars.

Take out the back seats (which are easily removable) and you have lots of space given the car’s size... and it can handle at least 900lbs of cargo.

The tighter engine bay is why many mechanics/people hate working on them. But many service items (like oil changes) are easy... easier than Ford Escorts I owned.

While some people think the PT Cruiser is bad, they should try owning a Saab... and paying $2000 to have the A/C compressor replaced (or *only* $1600 if you can locate a good used one like I did).

GreenN_Gold > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 02/09/2016 at 17:15

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I can’t keep track if the 100 is alive or dead or a sedan or a hatch. Seems like it always changes. I see your link in the other thread.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 17:40

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The Chrysler 100 that was a version of the Dart was/is dead.

The Chrysler 100 that lives is based on a smaller/lighter Fiat and is coming out for the 2017 model year.

C62030 > Nobi 02/09/2016 at 17:42

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I actually quite want that Lancia, Chrysler or not.

ranwhenparked > GreenN_Gold 02/09/2016 at 20:41

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The PT Cruiser was a big hit - for the first couple of years, after that, it became kind of a joke.

I agree Chrysler could use a small, high riding, not a car, crossover thing - particularly since the 200's sales figures are shitting the bed.

Basically, something a lot like the PT Cruiser in basic concept, just not in name or style.

FCA already has exactly that product in their global stable. The Fiat Ottimo is essentially a hatchback derivative of the Dart, and they showed a jacked up version with plastic cladding at Chinese auto shows last year. The Ottimo Cross concept could be easily built, for cheap, and rebadged as a Chrysler 100X. Boom, instant new small crossover. Take that Subaru XV Crosstrek.

CalzoneGolem > zeontestpilot 02/10/2016 at 06:31

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Right. My Taurus gets better mpg with 2 more cylinders.

CalzoneGolem > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 02/10/2016 at 06:34

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I put 7 years and 112k miles into my PT. Can’t say I really want to do that again, but there is still a warm feeling for them in my heart.

O[][][][][][][]O™ > GreenN_Gold 02/10/2016 at 09:24

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I think if tomorrow they started churning out PT Cruisers exactly the same as the 2010 model, they’d still manage to sell more than the 500L.

GreenN_Gold > ranwhenparked 02/10/2016 at 11:25

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The PT Cruiser was a solid hit for 7-8 years. They just let it wither on the vine and die, unfortunately. I think a new “100X” would go largely ignored while interest in a new PT is underestimated.

GreenN_Gold > O[][][][][][][]O™ 02/10/2016 at 11:27

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Good point.