About to get a PT...woohoo...got some questions!

[beebs]

Hello, my wife and I are planning on finally getting a Cruiser in about two or three weeks; we have been oooing/aaaawwing over them ever since they came out. Only car in the last 25 years I've been interested in owning! Neither of us has ever had a brand-new car, so we definitely want to get an '03. Only problem is, since we've been "watching" them since the very first year, there are things about the '03's we really love, and things we really DON'T like, so I was wondering if there were solutions.

We want a Touring Edition. Not a prob, it's just that we really don't like the way the PT looks with the bumpers the same color as the car! It ruins the overall look/effect of the car, to our eye. But Chrysler seems to say that's how you have to have it if you want a Touring Edition. Are there alternatives, like could we have the original black bumpers put on at the dealer?

We also like the majority of the chrome trim that's available in the "Tuned Package", but we absolutely HATE that gas-filler door! Ugh! Ruins the entire side of the car! So could we request that they leave the filler door alone and put a piece of the beltline instead? There don't seem to be any provisions for being able to pick and choose, and if you want some chrome, you gotta take that ugly filler door as well. The "DIY" site, which I've been looking at seems to point to the fact that you could buy a roll of molding and do the beltline yourself, but would it last as long as the commercially available "kits"? We also think those "40's Fender" strips that are available are really cool, as are the two little strips at the bottoms of the doors. Does this kind of product hold up? or will it eventually crack and peel, like so much of the "plastic chrome" that's now rotting off our old 1990 Taurus??

We're also thinking of going through the purchase process on-line and buying directly from the fleet manager, and buying the extended warranty online as well. Has anyone else done so, and if so, have you met with surliness/resistance from the dealer as far as trying to get warranty work done?

Thanks for listening to my longwinded question-session!

beebs

[MichaelDay]

You are correct that the Touring Edition only comes with the body colored bumpers for 2003. Your choices are: try to find a new 2002 Touring Edition, go with the 2003 Base Model (the only model that still has non-body colored bumpers), find someone with a 2002 that would like to swap bumper covers with you.

As far as the chrome package, you may be better off buying the pieces you specifically want in the aftermarket. The better aftermarket parts are every bit as good as the Chrysler parts. You could also check with the parts department of your Chrysler dealer and order just the parts you want. If you search the various PT forums you will find info on products that work well and ones to avoid.

I haven't tried the on-line purchase of autos but I will probably go that way on my next purchase.

Enjoy!! The PT is a wonderful experience.

2003 Almond GT AutoStick, body colored rear splash guards and hood struts, chrome gear shift, AC, and vent knobs.

[beebs]

Thanks for your thoughts, Michael....quite ironic that you reply to my post: I have a friend in Eugene, Oregon named Michael Day!

We had thought of going with the base model, but then many of the options we want (like the chrome-clad wheels) are only available on Touring Edition and above. If the bumper covers are an easy-enough swap-out, then finding someone who wants to trade may be the way to go. We're probably going with Inferno Red. We **really** wanted Aquamarine, but Chrysler, in their wisdom, of course, killed that the first year (sigh). Closest thing to it now is Steel Blue, but it's not the same. Guess Chrysler isn't Burger King...can't really "have it your way" 100%!

Good to hear that there is high-quality aftermarket stuff on the chrome, and we will probably do just that.

We will definitely enjoy being PT owners, no doubt! It's just waiting until we finally GET IT!

beebs

[OurPTGT]

WELCOME! Beebs. Depending on the color you select, I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there that would love to switch front & rear bumpers with ya. Good luck!<img src=icon_smile_sleepy.gif border=0 align=middle>

Kevin & Donna's Elec Blue GT

http://www.dreamcruisers.org/index/Page_1x.html

[Cal Cruzer]

And the fuel door too. I just bought a chromie for my PT.

Inferno Red GT, chrome wheels, chrome AMP fuel door, chrome side spears, PT Cruiser 3rd light diffuser, silencers removed from airbox...ain't this car fun?!?!?

[CREWZIN]

Beebs,

If you really like the chrome clad wheels, don't let that stop you from buying the base model. I belong to 7 PT forums and ALL of them have someone selling either the chrome clad or the real American Racing chrome wheels from their 2001 models. Heck, I'll be selling mine as soon as I can make up my mind what aftermarket wheels I want...way too many choices. Also, ebay always has 1 or 2 sets of OEM chrome PT wheels for sale.



Trade your GAMES & MOVIE DVD's at: www.gametradingpost.net

[beebs]

Thanks! We'll probably be giving more thought to finding a "new" 2002, as well...or even a **pristine** Aquamarine '01 that somebody's granny only drove to church on Sunday So the Aquamarine seems to be pretty rare. Our dealer had three on the lot at once when they were new, and I don't really see that many of them on the road. That was the color that initially made us want to get a Cruiser to begin with. I suppose Chrysler's decisions on color changes are dictated pretty much by sales?

b.b.

quote:
WELCOME! Beebs. Depending on the color you select, I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there that would love to switch front & rear bumpers with ya. Good luck!<img src=icon_smile_sleepy.gif border=0 align=middle>

Kevin & Donna's Elec Blue GT

http://www.dreamcruisers.org/index/Page_1x.html

[beebs]

oops! sorry to dis 'em!

beebs

quote:
And the fuel door too. I just bought a chromie for my PT.

[beebs]

That's another thing about PT's that attracted us...they're like the original Beetles as far as "feel" and culture, and swaps/trades always were big with Bug Folks, so I'd guess they'd be big with PT's as well. I liked the original chrome wheels of the '01's best. These "clad" wheels at least look close to 'em.

beebs

quote:
Beebs,

If you really like the chrome clad wheels, don't let that stop you from buying the base model. I belong to 7 PT forums and ALL of them have someone selling either the chrome clad or the real American Racing chrome wheels from their 2001 models...

[bigptdaddy]

i would just get the base modle...you can get after market wheels or stock chrome ones on ebay..