Buh-bye: Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible ends production
There were no eulogies. No bagpipes were played or honor-guard gunshots fired. Few paid any notice, but on December 21, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible passed quietly into the night and was buried. And we doubt many will miss it.
The axing of the ragtop PT is part of the phasing-out of several Chrysler LLC products devised by its new owners in order to cut costs. Earlier we brought you the news that the Chrysler Crossfire ceased production in Germany. Before that, the Chrysler Pacifica ended its lifecycle in November. Although originally only the convertible version of the PT Cruiser was scheduled for execution, reports later suggested that the regular hard-top wagon version could also be discontinued.
While those Chryslers likewise won't be terribly missed, except by small pockets of devoted enthusiasts, the next to lie under the Chrysler LLC guillotine will be the Dodge Magnum, which is being discontinued in March. The gonzo wagon dropped 25% in sales in 2007 over the previous year. As Inside Line points out, however, if you're still keen on getting a Magnum (or a PT convertible, for that matter), some good deals are likely to be had from local dealers eager to sell the last remnants of a dying breed.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sam 1:17AM (4/10/2008)
I bought 2001 as a work car I loved the car because todays cars are completely boring! They all look the same, No lines no style horrible blackwall tires & plastic hubcaps, & every car is either silver, white with horrid grey interiors! No chrome! no appeal, its no wonder no one washes them! The SUV's are the biggest joke, watching all these idiots, as they are climbing Mount Everest or something! at 10 MPG.
I was afraid to drive it at first, as I always had a huge cars, but I had 5 years of horrible NE Ohio driving & guess What IT NEVER SPUN OUT I Tried to make spin out it always held a staight line I never got stuck no matter how snowy or ice I loved passing those ridiculous boxy 4 wheel drivers who thought hey where moutain clumbing when they are usually in a ditch or upside or kissing the guardrails I also loved passing them at the gas pumps are at $ 350 a gallon plus. What is this county coming to.
The radio & Cd's Jambs no matter how loud it always sounds like a bose! no cracks and takes the bass! The price is good, leather seats & moon roof and it loaded fits 4-5 comfortable. I carried home a 15 ft ladder & big screen Tv it is roomier than looks! It always looks good it has classic lines! 4 wheel disc brakes. It is a bit small the ride is not a Caddy, but on a smooth highway it is good. handles well.
I got hit in it broad side by a huge van & did not get hurt it held up great compared to the Huge Gm Van! The fit & finish is great it always shines even at 80Kmiles outside! I never picked up the hood it ran always & I beat it! used some brakes lost a rim due to our wonderful cavernous potholes, but nothing else. I traded it in on a sports car. I missed it.
So I bought a convertible & tricked it out with Continental Kit & loads of chrome .Check out the SoCal Pt Cruiser site from San Benardino California they have some great works of art!
So to all the plain Jane boring sedans/vans Suv & foreign car drivers in light blue/ grey/ silver & white boring car drivers who choose to blend into the environment. Envy me when I pass you by in something a little freaky that runs good gets great mileage and is reliable, and now classic since none built that resemble the fine cars and beautiful lines of yesterdays classic cars & does not set you back $40K! It is really sad that Chystler does not build the same body style on the Van frames with 3 seats in a large size in 4 wheel drive &v-8 hemi People Would Stand in line TO GET THEM.
The car stylist of today have no sense of style. We are all followers, no leaders, drivng these boring cars! I pray that all the cars body styles of the 50s return as replicas!
Happy with my Pt Crusier Classic Convertible
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michael 1:08AM (6/25/2008)
i own a 06 pt turbo ragtop and have to say i am sad to hear they are ending production of this car. I personally think that for the money this car is great. the ride is smooth and with the turbo there is plenty of get up and go and ive lost count of the number of compliments ive gotten on the looks of the car, seriously i am not joking. the only compliant i ve ever had with the car has been the fuel mileage which is not great for a four banger even with all the upgrades ive done but it sure is fun to drive so i guess i can live with the mpg.
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Carl 9:21PM (7/02/2008)
We've had a turbo convertible for three years and had a ball. It has a stiff ride but steers like a dream. We get compliments from folks when we are getting out of it even after having it three years. One of us is 70, the other over 80.
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pollock 1:58PM (9/22/2008)
Yeah just stop insulting.Look at the site where you will all about auto industry,car buying decisions etc.Look http://blog.buyingadvice.com/
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prius 12:30AM (1/24/2009)
The Chrylser PT and 300 series are the only cars with any style at all, offered in the market today by American manufacturers. The rest are godawful hideous creations, and it doesnt surprise that Ford, GM and Chrysler going broke. When you get something as distinctive as the PT, like it or not, you cannot say it doesnt stand out from a very ordinary crowd
David 3:44PM (1/06/2008)
It's a shame to see a car like this going away but it makes sense the Chrysler has to trim its product line before it can improve.
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Andrew 4:30PM (1/06/2008)
You honestly believe the world would be a better place with more PT in it? Good riddance! Now if they could only stop producing the rest of them...
David 5:24PM (1/06/2008)
Well I'm just trying to be general about it. If I had a say it would be far too soon if I never saw a PT again.
Robb 4:04PM (1/06/2008)
Good riddance. I rented one of these convertibles during the christmas break, and it was one of the most dreadful cars I've ever been in.
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Jaymez 4:37PM (1/06/2008)
Who expects a rental car to be nice?
Andrew 5:38PM (1/06/2008)
I think everyone expects a rental car to not be one of the worst cars ever made.
info 6:45PM (1/06/2008)
Besides, it was butt ugly.
bobfranks 4:34PM (1/06/2008)
Best decision ever. Hopefully GM will kill the HHR too! Wait, hopefully FORD will kill the Edge,Taurus and the Focus. What else.....
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Matt Keller 7:08PM (1/06/2008)
You're an idiot.
Matt Keller 7:09PM (1/06/2008)
On both the HHR comment and the Taurus/Edge/Focus comment, I mean.
Andrew 8:01PM (1/06/2008)
In all fairness, the HHR is a pretty ugly car. The Taurus (X I am assuming you meant), Edge, and Focus are not my favorites, but meh, they don't offend my ocular senses.
the law 5:22PM (1/06/2008)
rented a 08 PT and was worst driving than my smashed 00 Vw Golf
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digitalzombie 12:23AM (1/07/2008)
dude... we had a PT as a rental because the benz was at the shop and wow. My father is 5 feet 7 inches and he complains how cramp it is. Yeah it's ugly because it reminds me of those funeral car...herz?
LX builder 7:51PM (1/06/2008)
Oh yes please kill off all the cars I personally don't like, cause I'm the most important SOB, and if I don't like it, it should be gone! Chrysler sold a ton of PT Cruisers to people that love them. Not every car buyer is looking for a d--k extension, or thinking they're a race driver. Some people like cars that may not appeal to enthusiasts like us that read autoblog.
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Andrew 7:59PM (1/06/2008)
As an enthusiast, I have the right to bitch about said cars.
Besides, as everyone else has said, they were one of the fugliest cars ever made. Every time I see one I die a little more inside.