In defense of the PT Cruiser

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 05/26/2020 at 23:39 • Filed to: None

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While there’s plenty of jokes to be made about the styling and the people who drive them, underneath all they hokeyness there’s actually a genuinely brilliant car. I understand why their owners love them so much.

They’re hella practical, they drive bette r than any car light truck in this class should, and they’re quite comfortable. The Cruiser is a good intemediate size, too, especially compared to what people are buying nowadays. It’s five inches lower and over a foot shorter than a Rogue while having roughly similar interior dinmensions. Plus, you can’t deny that that color-matched interior is stylish af .

While it has l ots in common with today’ s crossovers that have dropped all pretenses of truckness, I see them more as a revival of those tall early 90's wagons like the Civic Shuttle and Eagle Summit. They drive like a car and get car fuel economy but are flexible enough to be someone’s only vehicle . People tend to hold onto them until they go to car heaven and I get why.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/26/2020 at 23:49

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Jim Spanfeller > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/26/2020 at 23:50

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I will always defend the PT Cruiser. In this day and age, we should be thankful for any attempt automakers make to create something different and interesting. In a world of anonymous jellybeans, the PT cruiser was bold. It made a statement. And I like it. Sure, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but at least they tried. They made an effort to be interesting for once. And that’s more than I can say for a lot of other car companies...

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/26/2020 at 23:52

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Wait, yours isn’t RHD, right? Right? It isn’t.

It is a stick though, isn’t it?

I don't have the Cruiser but it played itself by being too much if an era and unchanged for too long and suffering from questionable longevity. I would only consider one if it were really cheap and I needed a wagon but no mpgs.

jminer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/26/2020 at 23:53

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The trick is a very large percentage of them went to car heaven years ago. I knew several people who bought them new and every one had to go in for warranty repairs multiple times.

Also your same arguments about why it’s practical hold the same for most hatchbacks. I do remember how different lookin g they were than anything else when they came out though.

fintail > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/26/2020 at 23:58

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I’ll not too shamefully admit I don’t mind these. The rear view bugs me, reminds me of a cat with its butt in the air, but this was a daring yet solid practical design for the time. Some may also forget how big of a deal these were at launch - I remember them bringing thousands above sticker, to the point where local dealers were importing Canadian models with the strong USD to satisfy local demand. Cars with a 21K MSRP were being sold for 28K and had plenty of takers, at least for awhile. Unfortunately, it is hard to keep retro designs relevant. It would need AWD to compete these days.

Fun memory. These were launched when I was a student in the olden days. My roommate really liked them, and when he heard the local dealer received their first allotment, we went down to check it out. We were examining a demo unit, and a salesguy threw my friend the keys and said we could take it out for a spin - alone. We drove around for maybe 15 minutes, and I remember the thing turned heads, it was r eally well-received at launch.

thatsmr > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 00:08

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I went to high school with Bryan Nesbitt who had a hand in the design. It obviously was huge when it came out..retro, roomy hatch layout blah blah..but really just was a product of its price point. Junk. Years ago when my Accord was totalled, I was supplied a PT for my 60 mile/2000ft elevation commute, and it was an absolute misery of noise, discomfort, and poor application of power. A nightmare. I made sure to smoke in the rental out of spite (i wasnt at fault in accident or paying for it)  

bob and john > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 00:10

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A very good friend of mine had one in university. We joked about it a lot, but it was great for the beer runs.

his was blue. and APPARENTLY , there was a turbo version which were not as slow as you would think (230 HP in 3100lbs,. it would scoot!)

also, I think its one of few ‘retro’ cars that really are retro. 

jminer > Jim Spanfeller 05/27/2020 at 00:13

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I always liked the Neon. My favorite vehicle of the circa ‘00 age was the Focus, that thing looked like nothing else at the time - I had a 5 speed ZX3, the two door and loved it. Still find myself missing that car and love the proportions of it when I see one .

LastFirstMI is my name > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 00:18

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Sometime in the next 20 years they will be cool again, like a Citroen 2cv or VW beetle. Don’t hate me because I’m right. 

Shift24 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 01:29

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Rebuttal: Picture below.  

L egitimately can’t remember the last time I saw one of these convertible or not , let alone one in good condition.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Shift24 05/27/2020 at 01:36

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Counterrebuttal:

Boxer_4 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 03:51

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The early ones were interesting; the half-hearted facelift that made them appear and feel cheaper didn’t help their cause.  

CompactLuxuryFan > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 04:06

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The exterior styling was very good and didn’t compromise on functionality. Positives pretty much end there. Chrysler  put out nothing but garbage back then.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > bob and john 05/27/2020 at 06:03

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The Turbo one had the same drivetrain as the SRT-4! :)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 06:04

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I will completely agree! They weren’t GREAT, but they weren’t bad....an interesting and fairly reliable car. Kudos to Chrysler for trying to make something different in a sea of beige. Wouldn’t mind finding a manual GT someday :D

Milky > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 07:25

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Issa tall Neon hatchback. Considering that car wasn’t bad this all makes sense. A compact tall hatch is a super practical package that old people will happily buy.   The idea is alive and well in cars like the Soul.

avalonian > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 10:01

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Okay, this purple one isn't that bad. However the interior, is where these cars are tremendously let down. It's the collected all the bags in the ocean and made an interior. But it does look hot, I'm sure it would've been cool when they first came out.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > bob and john 05/27/2020 at 10:45

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Yup, the GT Cruiser. That’d be the one to buy if you can fine one not ragged out. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 10:46

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Is that a factory roof or some ASC thing?

HoustonRunner > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 11:21

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Confession time - my parents had a silver Limited trim PT.

This was the car I chose (from the current family fleet) to be shuttled away from my wedd ing reception in (18 years ago last Mo nday).

If I knew where the wedding album was I’d pull a picture out....but as I’m sitting in my office where it is definitely within 10 feet of me I can’t find it.

S Ashley > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 11:34

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My daughter has one it has been pretty good so far for a Chrysler. I have to refute the car gas mileage thing. Hers gets 24 on the road and drops to the upper teens with the AC on or around town. This is small SUV territory. Blame the crappy 4 speed shit.

PatBateman > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 16:34

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I humbly apologize for the late nature of my comment. I would like to make two points:

1. Yesterday, on the way home from eating at a restaurant*, my wife and I came across a PT Cruiser. She shuddered and stated, “That is the worst car ever made, period.” I could not deny her logic, as it is a very shitty shitbox, made from shitty materials with shitty build quality, and

2. There is no defense of the PT Cruiser, as it is indefensible; a fantastic concept that was destroyed in transit to production by soul-sucking bean counters who couldn’t see outside of their sad calculator-filled cubicles enough to realize what they had.

*The restaurant we were coming from was Chili’s, so that fact very well might negate my entire opinion.

sdwarf36 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 16:57

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Does someon e have a link to a story that was done here years back having people tell the stories of why they ended up in a PT? Some of the stories were fantastic.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 16:58

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Ever try to change a battery in one?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PatBateman 05/27/2020 at 17:20

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It’s actually got very few parts-bin parts for a Chrysler of that era. The engine, front suspension, and some switchgear is about it. They were somehow able to convince the bean counters to relax a bit.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > sdwarf36 05/27/2020 at 17:23

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I have a feeling most of them were “Great Aunt  Vera  passed away and I was in desperate need of a car at the time so Uncle Bob gave it to me”

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 05/27/2020 at 18:46

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It was just a one-off concept

Wacko > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 19:04

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When they came out they were super hot. My Ex at the time was working at rent a car counter. When she brought one home I remember how most people were amazed by them. Funny how they were super hot, then soon became super lame.

dogisbadob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 20:43

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You didn’t even mention the fun turbo GT version which is just a Neon SRT4 wagon :o)

The RHD PT you pictured would’ve been a better postal Jeep than the Wrangler

Buffaloblue > Shift24 05/27/2020 at 22:07

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Only 53k miles, summer-only driver. No recalls or even minor repairs to speak of in 12+ yrs of ownership. GT Turbo version, plenty of zippy :)

sdwarf36 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/27/2020 at 23:58

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True-most were. But the best was ( gawd I’m gonna kill the story) a guy who went out to play pool one night-and the local bar had a big tourn ament going on that night. He didn’t plan on playing-but figured since he was there he’d enter and go a few rounds. Well he kept making it farther and farther up the ladder -and before he new it, he won the whole damn thing. “And for your grand prize-you get a new PT Cruiser!” Gee--thanks.....  But picture going out one night with just planning sinking a few balls-and you end up with a new PT!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > PatBateman 05/28/2020 at 01:05

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Hey Chilis aint bad at all really. Its certainly better than an applebees or even worse, just getting actual fast food like mcdonalds. At least chilis has flavor! A lot of it is just salt but theres some semblance of other flavors too. 

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/28/2020 at 14:35

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Not true. It’s literally a Dodge Neon with a tall retro- styled wagon body. Almost everything is shared, with the exception of the bodywork.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 05/28/2020 at 14:51

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Rear suspension is completely different too. So, what I said was correct. O nly the front suspension and part of the floorpan was shared with the Neon.

nitroram33 > bob and john 05/28/2020 at 16:59

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There were actually two turbo versions,  one with 180hp that was cool with regular gas and the 230hp GT with the SRT-4 drivetrain. 

ranwhenparked > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/28/2020 at 17:12

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This is true, and extends to the switchgear inside. Things like a unique steering wheel, HVAC vents, and door handles might be pretty inconsequential, but it is rare for the Detroit Three to spend money to make those bits unique on a really cheap, entry level car. Hell, GM will gladly use parts bin stuff for those functions on a Cadillac. 

ranwhenparked > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/28/2020 at 17:19

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When they first came out, they were a rare example of Chrysler reading the market and doing something right. Ca. 2001-2002, PTs were such a hit that dealers in Southern California, an area that usually doesn’t much care for domestic brand cars, were running waiting lists for them and the Toluca plant was running over its design capacity to meet demand.

The problem is the love it or hate it styling made them a novelty, once everyone who liked the look and wanted one bought one, there wasn’t enough mass appeal to sustain demand. Plus, Chrysler kind of let it run too long without significant updates.

But, get past the retro look, and, yeah, it really was a harbinger of the compact crossover segment to come. Lots of space inside, low li ftover height, and with the optional fold-down passenger seat, they could fit an 8-ft ladder with the tailgate closed. Old people liked them because they were easy to get in and out of, and in the early years, they were unusually profitable for a small car, since they lent themselves well to customization/personalization. They tended to leave the dealer with more options and accessories than a comparable Neon.

The weird thing is, which Bob Lutz complained about, is that a market research study done by GM in the ‘90s identified the potential demand  for a “high roof compact monospace vehicle”, but they considered the market to be too small to be worth the investment, and decided not to pursue it. When the PT Cruiser was a hit, they came out with the HHR, but it was kind of too late, the momentum was lost.