It seems as if earlier rumors of the PT Cruiser's death may have been slightly exaggerated. According to PTCruizer.com, the retro-style hatch from Chrysler is still alive, though perhaps on some sort of artificial life support. At least for the 2009 model year, the Cruiser is expected to be built alongside the Dodge Journey, though this could change in the blink of an eye. The plant in Toluca, Mexico where the two vehicles are built is capable of switching at a moments notice between the Journey and the Cruiser. So, if the Journey picks up sales or Chrysler does the unthinkable and launches its own version of the Dodge crossover, the PT could wave good bye for good.
If you are in the market to do some Cruisin' of your own, our suggestion would be to act fast. Reports indicate that Chrysler is reducing the options on the vehicle as much as possible to make them as easy, and therefore as cheap, to build as possible. For instance, the Limited is the only way to get the turbo engine, though air conditioning is now standard across the line. And if the PT makes it all the way through 2009, Chrysler will almost for certain cancel it after that.
[Source: PTCruizer.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Michael @ Jun 17th 2008 6:35PM
Good riddance. That's still too long.
R G Reid @ Jun 19th 2008 3:04PM
Bring in the european diesel p t and watch the sales take off.
rav3 @ Jun 17th 2008 6:40PM
Call me crazy, there was something about the PT I kind of liked. It didn't drive very well, was kind of a cheap-O package but it was unique and very recognizable.
I think Chrysler should have tried to address the biggest issues of the PT:
* A complete redesign inside and out, taking major inspiration from the Mini Cooper Clubman, Ford Funky Flex, Honda Element and other interesting new designs.
* Try to improve performance - even just a tiny bit.
* OR: make it smaller! The PT Compact or something.
Just some thoughts...
Daniel @ Jun 17th 2008 10:16PM
"Performance"
Actually, the PT can be had with the last-gen SRT-4 2.3L turbo. Pretty powerful for the price/package
iCameiSawiConquered @ Jun 17th 2008 6:47PM
I'll submit the PT cruiser to the "ugliest car of the decade" nomination list....
Jrejre @ Jun 17th 2008 6:52PM
At least it's not as boring as all the 4 door sedan-o-clones driving around. Although after 9 models years with basically no changes. . . . .
I think a replacement with a similar retro concept would be good if they stick it on that nissan platform they're using for the hornet. Dodge isn't the only one that needs a small fuel efficient car.
Matt @ Jun 17th 2008 7:07PM
Too late, the Pontiac Aztek already won that award.
Stéphane Dumas @ Jun 17th 2008 8:17PM
as Matt said the Aztec won the award of the ugly car but seems then Honda wants to get the title with the Element LOL ;-)
Jrejre, it's a very interesting idea to have a similar concept based on the Nissan platform. If Chrysler step back and changed their mind to get a 2nd-gen PT Cruiser or a new retro concept-car based on some other cars like one similar to the 1949 Plymouth 2-door sedan "fastback" http://www.49plymouth.com/mainpages/model_gallerys/dlx_2dr_sedan.shtml or the 1950-55 Nash Rambler 2-door wagon/1958-63 Rambler American 2-door wagon http://www.chuckstoyland.com/nash/rambler/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr38/527043951/
I also taught of a modern incarnation of the 1955-56 1st-gen "Forward Look" but I don't think it might fit for a small car design.
Aprime @ Jun 17th 2008 9:09PM
Hey, the Element in TC (it's TC, right?) trim is pretty nice.
You just have to be into vehicles like these to appreciate them.
1337 @ Jun 17th 2008 11:36PM
Aprime,
You might be thinking of the Element SC...the model with less black plastic.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jun 17th 2008 6:51PM
I personally liked the car but it was neglected. It needed a total redesign a long time ago and for that it suffered. R.I.P. my funky retro friend.
Bats @ Jun 17th 2008 6:57PM
Kill it already! Should have been done years ago.
Judy Zik @ Jun 17th 2008 9:11PM
I always loved this car because it was something different and funky. Too bad it was neglected. With the interest in smaller vehicles a PT is a pretty good small SUV alternative. Funky styling aside there is a lot of practicality in it. If Chrysler had bothered to update it they could have had a hot fuel efficient option at a time when they could really use one.
The Luigiian @ Jun 17th 2008 6:54PM
My cousin and his mother loved this car.
The rest of us had a different name for it: "Midget hearse".
I find it hard to believe they're still making these vehicles.
joe @ Jun 17th 2008 6:56PM
i actually like the car, but i don't understand why they don't give it a good drive train. i thought usually when a model is being phased out they offer special editions with unique performance or other features that are not on the other models. they seem to be doing the oppossite, like they are reluctant to build more but they have nothing better to do and could care less if they sell. why not make an srt-4 version with more power?
montoym @ Jun 17th 2008 9:09PM
They did build the PT Cruiser GT Turbo which had the same engine as the SRT-4 Neon(215HP version). Available as a convertible as well. They aslo offered a detuned 180HP version of the turbo engine also.
Being that it's built off the Neon chassis, it makes sense to kill it off finally since the Neon's been gone long enough already. The Neon wasn't all that great a car to begin with either. The PT was more useful, but still had to deal with the poor chassis. I've driven many PT Cruisers, they aren't the kind of vehicle I'd have made an SRT version out of.
montoym @ Jun 17th 2008 9:17PM
Also, in more direct response to your comment, they aren't building more special editions because they want to simplify the production. So, they eliminated some options and are building them as similarly as possible. The story mentioned that as well.
There won't be a next-gen PT Cruiser so there's no need to keep consumers interested. That's typically the reason for the special editions of other models. To keep demand up even though a new version is right around the corner. No need for that with the PT.
I'm still amazed that people were paying double the MSRP for these when they came out. I bet 99% of them are kicking themselves for it now.
davidt70 @ Jun 17th 2008 7:00PM
I had one as a rental- the only good thing about it was how much storage it had and that you could take out the rear seats if you wanted. After 3 weeks of driving, pretty conservatively, the computer said i averaged 19 mpg. So much for trying to rent an efficient vehicle, i should have just gotten the jeep.
TriShield @ Jun 17th 2008 7:04PM
The HHR proved that there's a market for this car and Chrysler neglected it to GM's advantage.
Of course GM also neglected their fullsize RWD cars and Ford (and later Chrysler) used that to their advantage.
Anyways, the car will probably continue to be built as long as there's buyers for them. I noticed that though the Magnum's "death" was reported a long time ago you can still go and get brand new ones from any dealer. I think that story would have been more accurate if it had been headlined that Chrysler isn't investing in redesigning them.
The PT Cruiser is a good car and it made quite a splash when it was new. It's a shame Chrysler has neglected it because it's stylish, easy on fuel, small in size and very versatile with a load of interior space for flexibility.
You don't have to like it but this car combines plenty of qualities that other vehicles don't. Too bad it's just another missed opportunity for Chrysler.
iQuack @ Jun 17th 2008 7:24PM
People I know who own PTs love them. Considering the crap that Mercedes left for Chrysler (Sebring, Avenger, Caliber) the pre-Mercedes PT is probably Chrysler's best car--even after 8 years!