New PT Owner Has Questions

[Ineffable_Jeff]

My wife and I bought a new (to us) 2007 PT Cruiser Touring Ed. Had only 19k miles. We are approaching the 28k mark and I can't help but wonder what are the first things we should be doing to improve upon the performance and mileage. We get about 18-20 MPG (which kinds blows) and it occasionally 'pauses' when I stomp on the gas. The engine doesn't sputter or anything, it just doesn't respond quite right.

My question is what is the first thing I should do to this car right out of the box to make it kick all the butt it should?

Thanks!

[soonercruiser]

Welcome to the forum!
First thing I would suggest for a new "enthusiast" or performance question is to look at the posts on the subject.
Second - soonercruiser is a 2006 NA Touring with 26K miles. The only thing I have done to her is an aftermarket AirRaid air box, and I get aroung 24 the city; and have gotten 29 (the sticker) on the highway on long trips.
#1 hesitation problem is plugs & wires The OEM ingniton is notoriously poor quality, and usually the first performance mod. Check our "Race&Street.com" for Crane wires & a selection of plugs.

[CREWZIN]

Welcome to the forum.

As Soonercruiser mentioned, an aftermarket air intake or clearing up the airway with a drop in K&N and other small things will not only enhance performance but it get get rid of that "pause" when you step on it.

[Hooligan]

Ineffable_Jeff Welcome to the Forum!!
What is the first thing I should do to this car right out of the box to make it kick all the butt it should?
If that is the reason you bought a PT, I hate to burst your bubble. Kick "BUTT" is all in your mind!!! The PT is a good vehicle but it isn't a great car to kick but in.

[CREWZIN]

Hooligan is 100% correct. It will keep up with 99% of traffic and reach about 110mph on a long open highway (don't tell ANYONE I told you that), but if your looking to "kick butt" you should have looked around for the HO (High Output) Turbo PT. They will walk away from a V8 Rustang in the 1/4 mile.

[Ineffable_Jeff]

Thank to all for the great replies and info. I have much to do.

Hooligan: What I mean by kicking butt is what is needed to enhance the poor performance that I had listed above. It's a family car, not a racer. I just hate it when pauses in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic, which decidedly does NOT kick any butt.

[Hooligan]

Oh, I knew it was a family car, this is our 3rd one, it is also our show car as well.