The PT Cruiser's Quality

[vdbd08pt]

Originally Posted by fritz_t_coyote

Car or Truck?

The market segment has picked up the name 'Tall Wagon' (like Matrix, and a few others out there).

The EPA calls the PT a 'Truck' because the seats can fold down to a flat load floor.

I call mine the Wee Beastie, and think of it as a fun-to-drive, good looking, extremely practical econobox.

I also remind everyone out there to not brag about cargo capacity unless they want to be tapped by friends who need to move bulky/dirty/smelly objects.

I call mine Pinky's PT.

My wife is the primary driver and her signature color is pink. Some times I call her Pinky , hence the name "Pinky's PT".

I may end up getting a MINI Cooper next.

Van

[PTCruisinHuskyLvr]

Hi fellow PT Cruiser Owner (s) :

I too just bought a 2007 PT Cruiser Touring 4dr with htchbk. I have a big problem however. My front windshield from nowhere started a crack at the very base on the driver's side above and inbetween the wiper blade. It went straight up about 3 inches and turned towards the drivers side in a complete left angle. No nick... no debris of a rock hitting it or other such item ... just a clean up crack turning left. I have checked the internet on P.T. Cruiser windshield cracks and have found MANY posted having my exact same problem. It appears to be a stress crack from installation or window quality. I am meeting with the mgr of the local Chrysler Dealer in Torrance, CA tomorrow. Wish me luck! If they don't replace the window, I will become a Thread Blogger on every site I can get on to spread more of the word about this problem. By the way, my mileage is 18k. This is not normal for a windshield to crack in this manner. Other than this one issue, I do love my P.T. Cruiser at this time. It tours very nicely on the freeways out here in Los Angeles, CA. I would like to change the brakes though.... I think they could grab a bit better and will be changing the back drums to rotors. Any comments appreciated. Happy Cruising!

[Hooligan]

Welcome to the Forum PTCruisinHuskyLvr.

I would think that Chrysler would replace it under warranty. Unless there is evidence of a rock chip that would have started it. Your auto insurance should cover the replacement 100% IF you have that option.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome to the Forum PTCruisinHuskyLvr.
Get Raybestos ceramic pads - I think I got mine at RockAuto.com. If you get the costlier rotors from NAPA (they're better steel), I think you'll be very pleased. Fronts do about 80% of the braking. AND, NO DUST!

The PT isn't a gas mileage champ, but it is so comfortable and versatile. I think it is a good compromise.

Aside from turning radius and mileage, backing up isn't easy - The side mirrors are your only hope - looking out the back hatch gives no clue....

[calflan]

Our 2006 Touring has been a big disappointment mileage wise. We're getting roughly 20 around town and 25-26 on the highway which for a car this size I think stinks.
The car itself is fun to drive and easy to manuever, we like that alot. The back storage area is much more than one expects. If you take out the back seat, you'll be REAL surprised how much you can get in this car. Even with the back seat just folded down, it's got alot or room. As stated in this thread, pulling the back seat is a pain in the neck though. It's heavy and a task to get back in, worth the difficulty for the storage space.
We bought the PT as an inexpensive economy car and the economy part has been a letdown. The purchase cost was good and the car has been good to us. We recently have been pushing it over and over in a relocation event and it's been a REAL asset in this effort. I just can't get it out of my head though, the dang lack of mileage for a small 4 cylinder car. We had a 300 Touring with the V6 that did better on gas than the PT. Oh well, I suppose it's all a trade off.

[vdbd08pt]

Originally Posted by PTCruisinHuskyLvr

Hi fellow PT Cruiser Owner (s) :

I too just bought a 2007 PT Cruiser Touring 4dr with htchbk. I have a big problem however. My front windshield from nowhere started a crack at the very base on the driver's side above and inbetween the wiper blade. It went straight up about 3 inches and turned towards the drivers side in a complete left angle. No nick... no debris of a rock hitting it or other such item ... just a clean up crack turning left. I have checked the internet on P.T. Cruiser windshield cracks and have found MANY posted having my exact same problem. It appears to be a stress crack from installation or window quality. I am meeting with the mgr of the local Chrysler Dealer in Torrance, CA tomorrow. Wish me luck! If they don't replace the window, I will become a Thread Blogger on every site I can get on to spread more of the word about this problem. By the way, my mileage is 18k. This is not normal for a windshield to crack in this manner. Other than this one issue, I do love my P.T. Cruiser at this time. It tours very nicely on the freeways out here in Los Angeles, CA. I would like to change the brakes though.... I think they could grab a bit better and will be changing the back drums to rotors. Any comments appreciated. Happy Cruising!

More than likely the windshield is under warranty and if not your insurance may replace it free of charge due to it being a safety issue.

Call and find out.

Good luck.

Van

[PTCruisinHuskyLvr]

YOU have my Wee-Beasties except for those bee-u-tee-ful RIMS / WHEELs. How did you do that? Hmmmmmmmmmm ... and I am a girl asking with the query mind you.

Love to know .............. My Wee-Beastie needs a bit of a turn up on shine.

Thanks
PTCrusinHuskyLvr

[PTCruisinHuskyLvr]

Hi ya Hooligan and thanks for the welcome!

I did just what you said. I met with the mgr of the service dept in Torrance, CA and this guy ran his slimy little pen down the crack and said 'a rock must have hit it' and I responded 'I was an insurance agent/adjuster for 20 years and that is NOT any rock, nick, etc. He took a digital photo and turned it in to the real people who make the decisons. Thx U and smiles to YOU in return.

[vdbd08pt]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Welcome to the Forum PTCruisinHuskyLvr.
Get Raybestos ceramic pads - I think I got mine at RockAuto.com. If you get the costlier rotors from NAPA (they're better steel), I think you'll be very pleased. Fronts do about 80% of the braking. AND, NO DUST!

The PT isn't a gas mileage champ, but it is so comfortable and versatile. I think it is a good compromise.

Aside from turning radius and mileage, backing up isn't easy - The side mirrors are your only hope - looking out the back hatch gives no clue....

Hi,

I'm discovering all of the issues that you and others here have mentioned.
To me, the PT Cruiser is such a solid vehical that it reminds me of driving my Dodge Dakota (a great midsize truck) . When I shut the door, the sound it makes is solid, indicating a good fit. It feels like I'm driving a truck and to me that's a good thing. The seats are very comfortable and the A\C is VERY COLD. The PT Cruiser is quite big inside and seems to be very missleading when you look at it from the outside. I personaly think that the PT Cruiser is a very well built crossover vehical with a versitilaty that sells its self.

The bottom line is that I would do it again if I could get the same deal I got (under $14K). Oh yeah, the deal maker of a lifetime, the life time warranty.

I would hope that Crysler whould install a V-6 in the next generation.

Van

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by PTCruisinHuskyLvr

Hi ya Hooligan and thanks for the welcome!

I did just what you said. I met with the mgr of the service dept in Torrance, CA and this guy ran his slimy little pen down the crack and said 'a rock must have hit it' and I responded 'I was an insurance agent/adjuster for 20 years and that is NOT any rock, nick, etc. He took a digital photo and turned it in to the real people who make the decisons. Thx U and smiles to YOU in return.

Glad it seems to be working out OK for you!!