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[Tweet]

Hey, y'all. I never posted here before because, well, I don't yet own a PT.
However, I've got a line on an '05 GT that I'm seriously considering buying, but I have a question or two that y'all could help me with.
I'm mostly concerned with the depedability thing, as cars that regularly crap out drive me nucking futs, and I've never owned a turbo anything before. So how do they run? And for how long? I still kinda have the 1974 attitude about 4-cylinder cars in general (i.e.-P.O.S.),
so I'm sorta wary of buying one.
I've also noticed a recurring mention of the auto trannies not lasting as long as they should. Do the manuals have the same problem?
How 'bout the turbo unit? Do they last? Or spin themselves silly after 10,000 miles or so?
And do after-market upgrades affect longevity severely in a negative way?

I know it's a lot of paranoid-sounding questions, but you can't expect an honest answer from a dealer, and I figured I could get the straight story here if anywhere.
By the way, nice forum you got here. I've been reading it for a week or two now, and have already learned enough to start looking. Also, I haven't noticed any rude-ass flaming of noobs, which is refreshing.
Thanks a lot.

[forgotten]

The PT has consistently been one of the most reliable vehicles on the market: http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/n...x.cfm/id/38102

Also, most of the auto's that fail, do so because people are upping the boost beyond stock. And while it seems like a lot of people have failing autos, remember , there have been over 1 million of these vehicles built. There are a relatively small community of people that have had auto trannies fail. That said, I wouldn't trust it past Stage 1. But, their are performance versions of the autos available.
As for the motor, this is the same motor that SRT-4 guys are making 500+ HP on (on the stock bottom end). The 2.4 turbo is completely upgraded from the NA 2.4, and will handle more power than you will probably ever throw at it. The stock turbo is also a very well proven little Mitsubishi turbo that is both oil and water cooled and will provide thousands of miles of trouble free service. Heres a good article on the engine:
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0309_srt/

As for aftermarket upgrades affecting longevity. Depends on how far you go. If you get Stage 1, Mopar BOV, a turbo back exhaust, do the airbox mods, etc, general boltons, then no, you won't be negatively affecting your reliability THAT much. Remember, speed costs. You may need to upgrade your tranny earlier than a stock PT, but that is to be expected. Now, if you go big turbo, all bets are off. you MUST upgrade the tranny, axles, etc, although your stock bottom end will still be fine, until you get upwards of 500 horsepower.....

[quicksilverdon]

Agree with the above. I'm on 5 PT forums, have been since 2001, and I have not read of 1 turbo failure. Couple of destroyed engines that were overboosted, some auto tranny failures, no manual tranny failures that I can think of...
Look at how many of us are on our second or even third PT - if they weren't good, we wouldn't repeat-buy.
I find the "turbo-lite" to be a good compromise. I had an early PT and needed more beans, but I didn't want 17" wheels and premium gas.
I couldn't be happier with my '05 - now have 23,000 miles on it.
I never had any mechanical problems on either of my PTs - well over 100,000 miles combined - except for the crap stock ignition wires which are a replacement item anyway - but need replacing SOON on a PT.
(Okay, and the Good-for-a-Year tires don't last, and the stock brake pads are made of compressed dust...)

[Tweet]

Thanks, Banned. I'm leaning even more towards getting one.
I've done plenty of searches, but I haven't much faith in reviews, either by the factory or by "consumer interest" groups. Little story: my Uncle used to own a fire extinguisher factory.
On one line he made a cetain model unit, and sold this unit to several distributers, including Sears and some high-dollar fire fighting equipment company. Consumer Report did an article on extinguishers. They rated the high-dollar unit five stars, and the Sears unit only two. Same unit, same line, no difference at all.
It kinda shook my faith in consumer watchdogs.
But thanks again for the input. If I buy it (most likely will) , I'll check back in and let you know.
Keep that rubber burnin' !

[bobs turbo pt]

i have on 03 turbo and the car is great !! i think if you go for it you will not be sorry !! good luck and keep us posted !! good luck !!

[Jeff V]

27,000 hassle-free miles on my 03 turbo. Runs great, still a little rocket that can haul 2x4's.

I change oil religiously at 3k.

I have auto tranny. No problems.

[Tweet]

Cool! Thanks all, that's what I needed to know.
I think I'll make an offer tomorrow after I chat with the bank.
The other cars I've considered are all to low to get in and out of easily.
The PT doesn't have that problem, and it's still within my budget.
I took a test drive last night, and it seemed like a pretty quick little rig.
Thanks again. I'll check back if/when I get it.

[bobs turbo pt]

good luck !! let us know if you get it !![^]

[forgotten]

quote:Originally posted by Tweet

Cool! Thanks all, that's what I needed to know.
I think I'll make an offer tomorrow after I chat with the bank.
The other cars I've considered are all to low to get in and out of easily.
The PT doesn't have that problem, and it's still within my budget.
I took a test drive last night, and it seemed like a pretty quick little rig.
Thanks again. I'll check back if/when I get it.

After ya get it, pm me and I'll direct you to where all the fastest PT turbo's hang out on the web....

[SR-PT4]

Chrysler has a history of building some really bullet proof turbo motors, partially because they are one of the few companies to both water cool and oil cool their turbochargers. Even back in the '80s a Mopar turbo was a far superior unit to any of the other domestic manufacturers and several imports as well. With proper maintenance a 2.4L turbo engine should go well beyond 150,000 miles.