http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 6:35PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 19th 2008 3:04PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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...]]>Jun 17th 2008 6:40PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
Actually, the PT can be had with the last-gen SRT-4 2.3L turbo. Pretty powerful for the price/package]]>Jun 17th 2008 10:16PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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.]]>Jun 17th 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 7:07PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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.
]]>Jun 17th 2008 8:17PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
You just have to be into vehicles like these to appreciate them.]]>Jun 17th 2008 9:09PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
You might be thinking of the Element SC...the model with less black plastic.]]>Jun 17th 2008 11:36PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 6:51PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 6:57PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 9:11PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
The rest of us had a different name for it: "Midget hearse".

I find it hard to believe they're still making these vehicles.]]>Jun 17th 2008 6:54PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 6:56PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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.]]>Jun 17th 2008 9:09PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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.]]>Jun 17th 2008 9:17PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 7:00PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/
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.]]>Jun 17th 2008 7:04PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/pt-cruiser-will-survive-through-2009-barely/Jun 17th 2008 7:24PM