I received an interesting call from a salesman at a local dealership last night. When I asked him about DC stipping options off the PT's instead of simply producing a Panel Cruiser, he stated the following:
*If people wanted the Panel Cruiser, DC would make one; obviously people don't want the Panel Cruiser.
*People want PT Cruisers without A/C and without power windows.
*PT Cruiser is an "entry-level" Chrysler vehicle (I thought that was the Sebring[:I])
When I asked him about Japanese imports priced in-line with the stripped-down $21.5K Cool Vanilla Woodie PT he called me about (I bought my wife's '04 Sienna for $22.5 with leather and power sliding door, etc.) and he said that Japanese imports are not made as well, using sheet metal instead of 6-gauge steel (something like that) and that when he closes the door of a Chrysler (wouldn't say PT Cruiser) that it sounds like a Mercedes. He went on to claim that people owning Cadillacs and Infinitis are buying Chryslers - I made sure to point out that they're probably not trading their Caddy's and Infinitis for PT's but for the 300's with the Hemi engine.
Long story short is that the salesmen have drunk deeply of the BS KoolAid served them by DC. I honestly do not know anyone that wants a vehicle without power windows or A/C (especially the A/C, unless that person lives in the northern-most part of Canada or Alaska).
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2003 Classic Edition, 5-speed with 7-ball shift knob, badges removed, dark tint, Borla split exit exhaust, short billett antenna, Nu-Image white-faced blue flamed gauges and 15\" American Racing Aero Wheels.
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