Why I Love PT Cruiser

[skylight]

A blog entry that i just read.


Why I Love: PT Cruiser
Author: Mike McMillan

I didn't mind being out of town for a week and a half recently, but I did miss one thing: My beloved PT Cruiser. I try to avoid obsessive attachment to material possessions; after all, we don't take anything with us when we die. But while traversing in this earthly tent, I like to travel in style. Don't get me wrong, the PT Cruiser is no Rolls Royce. Neither does it pretend to be. Rather, it's a snappy hatchback for those suffering from Escort ennui while not having Mercedes money.

Over the course of owning this car, I've learned a few things. First, the car was supposed to fly under the Plymouth badge. One of the suggested meanings behind the PT moniker was "Plymouth truck." It makes sense, as the PT borrows many of the styling cues from the less successful, but intriguing, Prowler, along with Plymouth vehicles from the '30s (ergo the subtle art deco touches). Sadly, the Plymouth name was dropped shortly after the marriage of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corp. But while the Plymouth name retreated to automotive legend, the fabled Chrysler brand scooped up the hot little hatchback that was destined to bring home the Motor Trend Car of the Year award for 2001. Not bad when you consider the PT shares its platform with the underachieving — and now departed — Dodge/Plymouth Neon.

In a bit of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) loopholing, the PT was branded a truck in order to raise the gas mileage standards of Chrysler's pickup line. Of course, no one's going to take this Neon-based scamp for a Ram.

Inside, as well as out, the PT brought custom-car looks to an otherwise bland segment. It was a harbinger of the retro craze to come; later followed the Chevy SSR and HHR (itself a blatant PT Cruiser knockoff), the Ford Thunderbird, Fiat 500, Toyota FJ Cruiser, among others. It promised utility and distinctiveness in a segment rife with half-baked rattle traps and penalty boxes.

Utility and space are also bonuses. The rear seats can be removed — somewhat laboriously, I must say — for a cavernous expanse behind the front seats. It comes in handy when you're helping folks move — just forget to mention you own a PT. It's also easy on my 6 foot 4 inch frame. In other cars I've owned, my knees resided perilously close to the dashboard. In a collision, I'd probably be on crutches for some time. Thankfully, my knees now are nowhere near any dash panels.

Of course, with the good comes the bad, though my list is short and full of mostly trivial matters. First, the ride is rough without offering rally-car handling. There's more body roll through turns than I think is acceptable, and bumps just don't seem as distant as in other vehicles. The interior, though well conceived, reeks of cost-cutting plastics that looked like they came from a Tupperware party. I wish I had opted for a five-speed manual, as it would help to wring as much of the 150 horsepower out of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder as possible. Around town, the acceleration is adequate; on the highway, however, I usually wish for a V-6.

Though I enjoy pontificating on the benefits of a PT, the word is the beloved compact is on its way out by the end of the decade. In its stead, Chrysler looks to be planning bland crossovers in the vein of the Dodge Journey. Will it be as successful? I'm not holding my breath. What they really need is a trailblazing, strikingly gorgeous wagon, not another me-too SUV wannabe.


Source: Independentmail.com - The Motor Mouth, Mike McMillan

[soonercruiser]

Yup! My feelings too.
I thought that I was the only one who got withdrawal depression without my PT? It's worst when it's in the shop for a repair and I'm drivin' a bland rental.

[leftyvert]

I agree with all that you said, with one addition for the convertible -- it's a convertible!!

[bados]

I agree also about what was said, but would like to add the author obviously never drove the GT.

[Frank PT]

The PT Cruiser DOES NOT share its platform with the Neon. Somehow that rumor started and took hold 8 long years ago. Only a few components where shared.

[Krissinator]

I completely agree. I'm PT Obsessed.

[bobs turbo pt]

i agree !!

[leftyvert]

Everything I read concerning the history of the PT Cruiser says that it is related to the Neon. The production code for the Neon was PS. They thought the name Cruiser needed something so they added the next production code, PT, to the name.

[beastofsteel]

I just recently realized how much I missed my PT when I borrowed it to my daughter so she could drive it across country to Atlanta and she gave me her Geo to use while she was gone. I was hesitant because my car has over 100,000 miles but she wanted to use it because it has cruise control and her Geo doesn't. After squeezing into the Geo for two weeks my cruiser was a welcome sight when I got it back. I love the room and the ride is like a Caddilac compared to a Geo and as far as power, I hardly ever have to floor the gas to go as fast as I want, in fact my daughter was caught speeding 80 mph while she was gone in my PT. I don't know, I must have a good one because for 150 horses and an automatic, my PT passes cars on the highway with relative ease and climbs grades with ease also. It's not a 250+ horsepower powerhouse and I know that but it goes 0 to 40 around town with the best of them. I bought my PT brand new in 2000 and it gets me to work every single day and I know I can drive it anywhere and it won''t let me down. It also hauls an amazing amount of stuff with the seats out. I get 23 miles per gallon. Doesn't use any oil or other fluids. Whenever I think of getting another car, I just realize how well my PT treats me and it puts my mind at ease.

[a_hnau]

Excellent - great to read positive reviews when my PT is working its way down the production line to me!