Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests PT Question

Just wondering what you guys thought of the PT Crusier. I am looking in to a second car with a bit more room. I think they dont look to bad in black. Just wondering how the handle and what the MTX is like.

Thanks

Go drive a Neon and that will answer all your questions!

There is a turbo one now. Or at least there will be very soon.

I say buy one in black, do a flame job, side-exiting exhaust, big chrome wheels...etc. That'd be pimp.

Test drove and loved it. Not for its sportiness but for its utility and the 150HP 4cyl is not a bad engine. Good amount of Torque with decent pick up. Interior is absolutely gorgeous with the leather/suede and painted dash! Amazingly out of 5 sport cruisers Car&Driver rated it higher than the Matrix/Vibe & Focus 5. They liked the P5 better but it doesnt have the comfor or room of the PT.

For a 2nd car I can't see you going wrong just don't expect too much "sport handling" as they have a decent amount of body roll. They have the 7yr factory powertrain warranty as well.

Yeah.. The cruiser has neon parts, and handles as such, too. I was able to ride in one, and I found that, ergonomically, it was VERY lacking. It may look "classic", and that feel may have been pulled off very well, but the knobs/dials/switches were INCREDIBLY awkward to reach, from the drivers seat.

Accelleration was, to say the least, lacking. I felt like I should hop out and run to the front of the PT to make sure we weren't pushing someone's dead body underneath the chassis. There was a definite hesitation with the engine, and when pushed hard, it sounded like it was working almost TOO hard to get the mass moving.

Build Quality seemed, to be honest, a little sturdier than the 'tiques. Interior was very solid, and well manufactured.

Overall, my impression was this: An overmade Neon under a shell of a body that makes you look alot "classier" than you can be. For the price, you can pick up a "real" vintage piece project car, and truly have something to be proud of.

Flame away... my opinions are just that..

Ray

Turbo? Now that ugly P.O.S. can get out of my sight even faster! Thank God!

I've driven a couple, but autos only thus far. Two things that stand out - lack of power and no armrest for passenger seat. The turbo model will take care of the first issue. Overall, a stylish wagon with good utility at a fair price.

It may be slow but it will blow the doors off a Focus... sigh... :p

I've been following the Cruiser since DC started leaking out bits of info in 2000. I've tried both auto and manual transaxles, and would have to admit to preferring the automatic. No manual I've driven in the last few years compares with my '91 Escort's. The clutch would take down near the floor where I prefer it. Others seem to want you to take your foot off the pedal before the drive takes up.

The utility part of the packaging is great with so many configurations of seating. Also the seating position is great since you sit up with your feet down. A passenger armrest was added on the 2002's BTW.

The worst parts to me are the mpg ratings. It's a heavy, substantial feeling car, so mpg suffers a bit. Also the engine compartment compares to the VW Newbeetle's or, yes, the Contour/Mystique V6 with precious little room to work on things, without removing something first.

But when the Cherokee's paid for in 2004, it's gonna be real hard to resist running down to the Chrysler dealer and ordering a new PT Cruiser convertible.