My rental PT had only 2000 miles on it, and I had it for two weeks while my xB was being bent back into a square. Believe me, two weeks is MORE than enough time to notice that a car is actively trying to kill you.

If that time period wasn’t enough, the second I got back into my xB would have told me all I needed to know. Not as much power, but a hell of a lot more room, and not nearly as much tendency to end up facing random, non-standard directions in traffic after simple steering maneuvers.

I would have drawn a different conclusion from the fact that a lot of people stopped at a rental: some of us are more perceptive than others.

You also have the Scion Xd which has a design that can kindly be described as unique. If Chrysler saw fit to do the modifications I mentioned earlier, they would have a vehicle capable of providing them in excess of 200,000 units given the demand for that type of design. Unfortunately the die was cast when gas was still cheap, and the resources to make those changes happen are no longer there.

I do not disagree with your observations at all. Still I think the PT has some value left at the right price. The Versa is a good option, especially for the gas mileage, although Nissan has had some hit or miss reliability just like Chrysler.

Both the Lancer and the Focus with automatic are at about 14k minimum, at least in my area. I cannot fit in the the Yaris, too small. The Fit is probably worth the price premium in the end.

I just want to congratulate you on raising a daughter of obvious intellect and good taste. Well done, sir.

On the second tier level, the Cobalt can be had for $9995, the Focus for around $12k, and the Lancer for $12k as well.

If Chrysler had decided to revise the chassis for better structural rigidity, offered a far more fuel efficient engine, and took care of some of their susbstandard components (long list), the PT Cruiser would most likely become a popular vehicle. It’s far better looking than anything except the Fit, and it has brand equity that’s ‘hip’ and yet attractive to mature consumers.

To put it another way, if this were the mid-90’s Chrysler the PT Cruiser would be a world class product.

The fact that they’ve neglected it and cheaped it out is proof positive of the challenges Chrysler will continue to face. Cheap is no longer a profitable option for an American manufacturer.

I am not sure the imminent demise of Chrysler is a given, even though it makes for good articles on here. So the warranty should be there 3 years from now. On the other hand parts are cheap.

Looking around for a replacement car the choices seem to be a high mileage used Honda or Toyotas vs a brand new PT Cruiser with automatic, Sirius satellite and side airbags for under $13k.

What else can you get at $13k, a Kia or something? Then I would not even fit into the car, I am a tall guy.

It really needed a 5-speed automatic though… cruise control got REALLY annoying on the hills on some of the highways in Virginia, where it couldn’t make up its mind on a gear and would just keep shifting between 3rd and OD. retarded.

Still, great car

but yeah residuals were ridiculously awful.

neon sedan/coupe were PL; wagon variant– PT.

I guess the issue for me is that even if I really did like the PT(and I don’t), why on earth would I buy a new one if I could get a nicely optioned 3 year old for $5K?

I guess if I were truly desperate to drop $10K, I could buy a 3 year old Mazda3, no?

Well, windswords, that’s when I go out and borrow money – when I don’t need it, what about you?!

(Sarcasm off)

Man, did you notice that the 19.1% owner (Daimler) backed 75% of the $2 billion loan?!

I wonder how you say “WTF, this POS millstone is killing our credit rating even though we dumped 4/5ths of it!” in German?

Which Chrysler exec slipped the truth out and retracted it a few months ago when he said the company was functionally bankrupt?

What the heck does that mean if not “we’re dead, but there are still some twitches in the body so nobody’s noticed yet.”

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080625/AUTO01/806250361/1148/AUTO01

Unless you don’t really care what other people drive…I certainly didn’t buy my car based on what other people, whom I don’t know or care to, have…

I just never understood that type of thought. It’s like the fanboyism that goes on in the Video Game market – why do you care what system someone you don’t know buys?

2008 CHRYSLER

PT Cruiser Touring
MSRP: $19,870.00
Bill Marsh Price: $19,870.00
Ext. Color: PPL_Melbourne Green Pearl Coat

I think they made a typo on “their” price and left the”1″ on there, eh?

Somebody’d have to be totally nuts to buy one of these.

Buying a PT Cruiser means you actually would be buying a car from a company which is about nanoseconds from self-destruct.

So kiss your warrantee goodbye, and your $2.99 gas promise, and parts availablility (which you’ll need LOTS of since I speak from experience, having had a Dodge Neon).

The ONLY way I’d buy a PT would be if gas was actually at $1 a gallon again, likely to stay that for at least a decade, and I could get the car for 1/3 retail. I’d consider paying $4500 for a brand new car. Maybe. After a few stiff drinks of stuff I don’t drink any more.

You get the picture.

Yes, the ride and handling are coarse in today’s competitive set, but the thing’s rolling on a ten-year-old platform, with an even older drivetrain. Given that Chrysler hasn’t so much as checked its pulse in years, it’s amazing that it’s held up as well as it has.

Perhaps even more amazing is that it’s still a better car than the Caliber.

My mom has been cursing the Rabbit for 30 years.

Still the worst car she ever had.

C’mon.

I test drove one of those – what a dud. The Fit blows it away.

There must have been something wrong with your rental (surprise). I have never heard of owners complaining about poor (or even dangerous) handling, not that it’s a corner carver.

Allpar’s review in 2001 said, “Steering is precise and easy to control. The turning radius is fairly tight.”, and “The Cruiser stays composed and steady on sharp turns”.

Edmunds review of the 2008 says “It handles well, with superlative steering feel and smooth overall ride quality”.