Jolly Roger's History + Weirdness

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
09/07/2015 at 07:30 • Filed to: Jolly Roger, pt cruiser

Jolly Roger, my ‘08 Pt Crusier which has been dead in my driveway since July now :(, had been under my care since 2010. Of course, when I bought it I knew nothing about cars nor Carfax/AutoCheck. So I only knew it’s history from ~36k and onward. Until now that is.

I forget who gave me the, but someone on Oppo did (thank you!) because some genius made a webpage using http get instead of http post. Anyways, Jolly Rogers history did surprise me.

Despite being made in Mexico, it was first title titled in Hawaii as a rental. Then on 10/22/08 it somehow made its to Missouri, where it was auctioned off with 7.8k miles on it. On 2/11/09, the DMV read the odometer (it was 9.5k) in Florida, and was apparently titled as a leased vehicle.

Fast forward to 4/23/10 in Florida, the vehicle is in dealer inventory with 35k miles. After that, there were two lien issues (one is me I’m guessing), then random title renewals with no odometer reads.

What makes me curious is that there was not much else there. I’m guessing the places I went to for oil changes don’t report anything, but I’m really surprised that despite the insurance knowing I’ve been in a few accidents with this car, none of that shows up. I mean, I deliberately reported accidents so they can appear on the Autocheck/Carfax, so if we did sell JR, the next owner would be aware of its history.

Though the AutoCheck Score did crack me up. The average is 58-73, it gave me a 74. But they list no positive factors, just a negative one. If there’s nothing positive about my car, why did it get such a higher score than average!

So right now JR is a clean, accident free car; who knew? It guess that gash across the front bumper is just stock, :).

[link: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ]

[where it says ‘vin=*&sid’ , replace ‘*’ with your vin#, before the ‘&’]

DISCUSSION (16)

ciscokidinsf > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 07:50

It’s a PT Cruiser - it really doesn’t need any more detrimental info besides that.

LongbowMkII > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 08:09

only 1 negative about a PT cruiser probably is better than average.

whats your plan with this?

zeontestpilot > ciscokidinsf
09/07/2015 at 08:15

I’m very proud of my pt....I just don’t like how it keeps having expensive issues, but I love the car.

It’s a slow car, driven fast; a hatchback; a 6” ground clearance so I can drive crazy without fear of bottoming out in potholes; quirky design inside and out and isn’t like the other cars on the road; short wheelbase so it’s a bit easier to whip it around corners; I could go on.

The only thing I’d change is make it a manual, or even drop a GT engine in it. It really is a fun car that no one gives a chance. It’s no Miata, but it’s good in its own right.

XJDano > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 08:17

Pretty slick. I know my Metro started off in Texas as the original owners actually filled out their name & address in the owners manual. I also bought it after it had been sandwiched by hit in the rear and then pushed into the car in front & that’s not reported.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 08:37

Plugged in my ‘91 Comanche’s vin. No records whatsoever. I'm guessing cause it's spent it's entire life in Canada.

zeontestpilot > XJDano
09/07/2015 at 08:40

It makes me curious, why isn't this stud being reported? I mean, I brought the car to official dealership, but that apparently made no difference?

zeontestpilot > LongbowMkII
09/07/2015 at 08:42

No idea, but if I had the money, I’d do the one thing the pt keeps whispering into my ear....turn it into a rally car.

zeontestpilot > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
09/07/2015 at 08:42

So Canadian vins are different then?

XJDano > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 08:42

I should run my jeep. I know at least one accident was on a carfax report as well as 1 or 2 repairs at dealerships.

zeontestpilot > XJDano
09/07/2015 at 08:46

My Grand Prix has all filled up AutoCheck up to when I bought it. Of course, the insurance knows of my accident, but it hasn't been fixed, so it'll be curious to see what happens.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 08:47

No, the vin’s the same. I just don’t think autocheck has solicited anyone up here for data.

Wacko > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 09:11

The pt cruiser has been giving many chances, it just failed every chance it was given

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 12:59

It would make more sense to just buy a manual PT - GT.

And yes, they’re much better with the manual. I used to own one - base model which didn’t even have A/C. I averaged 29 mpg (US gallons) over the 2 years I owned it.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > zeontestpilot
09/07/2015 at 13:36

I read below that you said it’s dead due to a PCM issue and it’s horribly expensive because it’s VIN-Specific.

The claim that each PCM will ever only work with one VIN is bullshit. The PCM is the same... they’re just including VIN info when the PCM is reflashed. So all that means is that there is an extra step of flashing/reflashing the PCM with the correct VIN before installation.

If buy the part from here, they’ll ship it to you reflashed (which is why they ask you for the VIN when you order):

http://www.solopcms.com/2008-chrysler-…

And to replace it, watch this:

And if you have a used PCM and need to reflash it, get the cable here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-V2-…

And here is the instruction on how to reflash the PCM:

It’s not necessary to pay bullshit dealer prices (I heard it was like $1000+) to get the PCM replaced. This is definitely a job that anyone can do in their driveway.

zeontestpilot > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/07/2015 at 15:17

Yeah I know, but I like the fact of seeing this pt getting faster. If it was another pt, would it be the same then? :/

zeontestpilot > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/07/2015 at 15:24

I guess the problem is, is the company legit? I have no idea.