Why are PT Cruisers so CHEAP???!!! what am i missing?

[soonercruiser]

Good obituary PT_Cuda!
Be Happy!

[PT_Cuda]

Originally Posted by garyerrol

I may be wrong on the number of years, but it seems to me that I've heard or seen in writing that Federal Law mandates that a car manufacture has to have parts available for any model for at least ten (10) years.

Parts yes 10 years. But not active building of the car. That could be a year or 25 years, but for any given year they have to supply parts for 10 years..

[jackfrost]

I was thinking of getting a 2006 silver, turbo edition one. They have one at carmax in my area. I am now concerned that I read this post. With the line being discountinued, will the cost to take to the dealer for standard service go up..etc. Will they charge more to keep the parts on hand even though they are required etc.

[midnight01]

i read the whole thread...subees will always be um..um...well they cost more here too..whys a pt so cheap...illl get smacked for this...the neon....although my pt has more style than my old subeee...the subeee was awd and a wagon...but much more blech...give the pt 10-20 years and itll reach the status of owning 5 to keep one going....oh yea ..i wana buy alll cheap 01 pt
non turbo...get me a colllection going

[JordanandMac]

Hi everone!

We have some PT's on lots around here but most of them sell very fast unless they are priced too high. My hubby just bought his 2 months ago and the guys at the lot told us they can't keep them on the lot. My hubby's was just being cleaned up when he bought it, it didn't even hit the lot! Around our area it seems to be easier to get a used one then a new one. The Chrysler dealer in our area has a few 2008's on hand.
I love my pt, he is a dream. The only other car I had that I liked almost as much was a '98 Cirrus. I love my pt and all his quirks.
My hubby had an hhr and didn't like it at all. He loves his pt. He is slowly getting chrome on his. Mine came with all the chrome.
The people I got mine from got a '2007? convertable and they don't like it as much as the one I have. They told me I have the better pt. I am not trading him for anything!
I hope you get one as good as my hubby and I have, she will just love it. they drive like a dream! Best of luck!
Jordan and Mac

[midnight01]

Originally Posted by JordanandMac

Hi everone!

We have some PT's on lots around here but most of them sell very fast unless they are priced too high. My hubby just bought his 2 months ago and the guys at the lot told us they can't keep them on the lot. My hubby's was just being cleaned up when he bought it, it didn't even hit the lot! Around our area it seems to be easier to get a used one then a new one. The Chrysler dealer in our area has a few 2008's on hand.
I love my pt, he is a dream. The only other car I had that I liked almost as much was a '98 Cirrus. I love my pt and all his quirks.
My hubby had an hhr and didn't like it at all. He loves his pt. He is slowly getting chrome on his. Mine came with all the chrome.
The people I got mine from got a '2007? convertable and they don't like it as much as the one I have. They told me I have the better pt. I am not trading him for anything!
I hope you get one as good as my hubby and I have, she will just love it. they drive like a dream! Best of luck!
Jordan and Mac

[PT_Cuda]

Originally Posted by jackfrost

I was thinking of getting a 2006 silver, turbo edition one. They have one at carmax in my area. I am now concerned that I read this post. With the line being discountinued, will the cost to take to the dealer for standard service go up..etc. Will they charge more to keep the parts on hand even though they are required etc.

Nah you will be fine, all the major stuff is the same, motors, trans major body pieces did not change. The original grey insert bumpers are getting expensive since they were only made for three years and they are longer process to make than the all painted ones.. Ask me how I found that out But all the guts in plentiful supply for a long time..

There is still a huge amount of PT's and SRT4s(neon) in service so the dealer service departments will still be seeing them normally for a few years. But now you are also getting your local mechanics have now started to see them too so that knowledge base is there as well. So cheaper or trusted non dealer mechanics are out there as well..

Midnight01 - I have a stable of cars to keep the breed going for a long while.. I have two 5-speeds one my original 01 N/A and a rare 5-speed GT with cloth seats... The other two are my mom's and my honey's cars.. His a modded GT, mom's a stock Turbo Lite.. She won't let me tweak it..

[totalfat]

I also put the PT on my short list because of the price. We have a 99 Escort and I hate it. And with a 14 month old, a 14 year old, and frequent 300 mile trips to the in-laws it seemed like good incentive for upgrade. I was just going to get a Focus wagon or something, pretty much resigned to driving crap cars for the rest of my life. But when I looked on Carmax's website I ordered ALL their cars in order by price, constrained years to 2006-2008, and mileage to <30k. The first things that come up are Kia Rio's. Ruled out too small. Then a WHOLE BUNCH of PT's. I still had a negative feeling about the PT until I actually looked at one. I am definitely considering one now. Especially after I discovered the GT's/Turbo-lite+Stage 1. I might be able to get something practical AND fun? The only thing I am really wary about is the timing belt. I was trying to avoid TB's in general but I understand the PT probably has to have the worst layout ever. Have to discharge the A/C and it is supposed to take a pro-mechanic 8.4 hrs to do the job?!

The only other car I am considering is a Kia Rondo. That's pretty much another no-fun option so I'd be used to that. The room in those is insane and you can get them with a 3rd row of seats. Timing chain in both 4 and 6 cyl. The 2008's with less than 20k miles can be had around $12k (vs $18k for new one -- helluva first yr depreciation huh).

[digitalpinscruiser]

Originally Posted by Vengence

My Sisters 01 PT Cruiser has 279,546 Miles on it and it still runs like new. She only replaced the brakes 3 times, engine belt once, multi function switch once and the Exhaust once. those are the only repairs she has had done on the cruiser besides wiper blades, oil, dash lights, headlights and tail lights.

WOW 279,546 miles and nothing really wrong with, thats awesome is she a everyday driver (daily commuter) or is it all highway (trips, vacations or whatever)

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by totalfat

The only thing I am really wary about is the timing belt. I was trying to avoid TB's in general but I understand the PT probably has to have the worst layout ever. Have to discharge the A/C and it is supposed to take a pro-mechanic 8.4 hrs to do the job?!

The only other car I am considering is a Kia Rondo. That's pretty much another no-fun option so I'd be used to that.

Totalfat,

As far as the timing belt goes, I just had it done by my local dealer 2 weeks ago. The A/C hoses were moved, not taken off and the labor hours were 5.5 not 8.4. Still a pocketfull of $$ with parts. I had the Camshaft seal leaking so it was a little more for that but since everything was apart, it was only 1/2 hour labor plus seals.

We also have the Kia Rondo. Wife's car and major traveling vehicle for our family. EX V6 7-seater. One of Consumer Reports "most overlooked", affordable, reliable, perform well and loads of standard features.