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What Looks Old is Becoming Old

By: Nathan D. Adlen

There was a time when the PT Cruiser was the toast of the town. This was one of the cars to have. Using ingenuity, attention to detail and creativity, Chrysler appropriated components from the Dodge/Plymouth Neon and created a mini sensation in 2001. Seven years later, the little truck is beginning to fade out of the Chrysler line (yes, it is considered a “truck.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration considers the PT a truck – which helps to lower Chrysler’s overall truck MPG ratings).

Alas, the PT Cruiser – famed for making retro so cool – is now too retro for its own good. Despite still being a viable seller for Chrysler, it is about to stop production. The Dodge Caliber and its families of shared platforms will undoubtedly have something to replace the PT before long. They will be hard pressed to duplicate the slick personality of the PT Cruiser.

2009 will most likely be the final year for the PT and if that is the case, the configurations of the 2008 model are going to be the most plentiful. When a model is going on its last year, the automaker makes more of the final production year’s models so the production line can gear up for something new. So, if 2009 is the final bow for the PT Cruiser, 2008 will not only have more options, but quite possibly more deals.

Little has changed since 2001 for the PT, which is a promising sign for a vehicle that began with a great package. What makes today’s PT a good bargain is much the same formula that made the original a hit. This little number still looks unique and there are lots of aftermarket goodies available to dress it up.

The PT Cruiser has one of the most flexible interiors of any vehicle this size. With fold and tumble 60/40 rear seats that are removable, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a multi-positional, rear load shelf, this little machine can haul lots of stuff. I know someone who used a PT for his small catering service for four years. The only reason he switched to a minivan was his success and subsequent expansion.

This is a great first vehicle for small families. When I rented a PT Cruiser last year, I noticed how easy it was to put a toddler into the backseat and how accessible the LATCH tethers were. With the elevated seating in the rear, you bend very little and the back doors offer a useful amount of opening distance. It was very easy for me to fold the other rear seat forward to make way for our enormous stroller and still have a ton of space for baggage. Even though this was a well used rental, it still felt well put together.

The seating position and forward outward vision is excellent for me, although people under 6 feet might find the small windows and seating position unusual at first. I noticed my sister (at 5′2ish - or less) had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position, but it took her time to figure out where her front wheels were. The PT handles daily driving with ease. It’s short wheelbase and fairly tidy dimensions make it a snap to park, especially when you get a feel for how easy it is to position given the flared fenders that are visible from the driver’s seat, and when using the side mirrors.

On the highway, the PT returns respectably high 20’s MPG while providing a nice ride. Harsh bumps and sudden turns can upset the balance (given its high roof and narrow stance), but the Cruiser settles quickly and recovery is usually predictable. If you opt for the Limited package with a larger, wider wheel package and a turbocharged 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine, there is more comfort, control and a sportier driving experience.

Unfortunately, there are a few negatives to offset the PT Cruiser’s positives. The most notable is the extremely wide turning radius. If you make a U-turn on a two lane road, you may need to back-up once to complete the turn. I would liken the turning radius to a full size pickup truck – and I am not exaggerating. The PT Cruiser turns like a PT boat.

Sadly, the current 180 horse power, 2.4 liter turbo is only available with an automatic transmission. There are still several options available depending on the package. The base model LX does give you several features for the money including the decent 150 horsepower power-plant and an optional 5 speed, which I recommend if you like to shift and want to squeeze more performance than you would with the 4 speed automatic. You will have to pay a few bucks more for the air conditioning. Well equipped, the LX can be had for less than $17,000, which is a competitive deal.

Options and higher end packages make the PT a mini luxury vehicle with heated leather seats, sun roof, high end stereo and more. If you check off every option on the Limited you will be hovering around the $24,000 mark, which is an okay deal. That price can be flexible when dealerships begin clearing their lots in early 2009. Push for 10% off when bargaining and you might be surprised at how low you may be able to go.

With such a logical layout for most of the switchgear, it’s a shame that the Chrysler engineers never figured out a better place for the window controls (which are on the center of the dashboard). The placement is counterintuitive and a bit of a nuisance. Sometimes, I triggered the windows when reaching for the stereo controls.

Cheap plastics and a cramped rear seat are noticeable as well. If you wish to have three sit in the back, they should be thin or children – elbow room is at a premium. Despite the PT being classified as a small truck, it won’t tow like one. At best, you could manage a small U-Haul pod or pull a very small tent trailer (there is a 1000 lbs maximum). The rounded roof makes it difficult to load items without a roof rack. Even with a rack, the narrow roof makes for an uneasy driving experience as the weight distribution makes the PT drive like its drunk.

The slick and very powerful “GT” Cruiser, with its “High Output” turbo delivered (up to) 230 horsepower, had a beefier suspension, but is gone. The convertible PT Cruiser was discontinued as well. Unique and refreshing limited editions are finished too. The GT Cruiser is a hard find for used car classifieds, but it is a worthy search as they are so much fun to drive.

Recently, General Motors introduced the HHR. Some are confused as to why it looks so much like a PT and why GM would produce a vehicle like this. It is, as of right now, the only direct competition for the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Based on the Chevrolet Cobalt, the HHR is a bit larger and more substantial than the PT. Soon, the HHR will have an SS model with a hot turbo spinning the front wheels. The PT is cheaper and you can wheel and deal for a good price right now where as the HHR is not as flexible for deals – but it is a superior vehicle (with the exception of the diver’s seating position and outward vision).

If you are looking for a hot product from Chrysler that has even more power than the GT Cruiser, take a peek at the Dodge Caliber SRT4. The thing is a full fledged monster. The Caliber is also the successor of the PT and offers mores packages and features than the PT; however, many would agree that the PT Cruiser is much better looking than any of the Calibers. The Caliber does have a new platform and up-to-date engineering.

Still, the PT is a decent vehicle for the money and is as unique (with a far more utilitarian platform) as the VW New Beatle. Chrysler now has a lifetime warranty on the power-train (there are some limitations), which makes the PT a good bet for a first time family car that will last. Keep in mind that the PT has had many years to be refined, so newer models are much better machines than the ones from a few years back.

I noticed that many car rental agencies use the lower level Cruisers as their small, sometimes “compact,” cars. This is an excellent opportunity for those of you who are curious to rent something that you might consider buying. Just be aware that rental cars are abused constantly and that a rough running rental may not be the best example of the PT.

It’s a real shame that the venerable PT is going away. I think it is one of those special cars that had a moment in the sun, but never had a chance to explore all of its potential. Still, when I see everyone from teenagers to senior citizens cruising in them, it is easy to see how flexible the appeal of the PT Cruiser was. Maybe its potential was in the neat details many of us found so compelling.

There is one more detail that the ads and brochures can’t quite convey about the PT Cruiser. Unlike nearly every other economy vehicle out there, this one makes you feel kind of cool. Not in a Porsche/Corvette kind of way, but in a way that makes you smile when you park it and look over your shoulder as you walk off.

Tags: Car Reviews //