2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Reviews

Chrysler trod a different styling path when it took a retro turn in the late 1990s. It was a calculated gamble to revive its struggling brands by tapping into a nostalgia craze that swept parts of the world, particularly America where cars like the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler and Chrysler PT Cruiser were greeted with wild enthusiasm.Retro styling was always going to be gamble because there was always the possibility that its popularity would pass as fast as it struck, but there could be no doubt about its success in focussing attention on the company’s cars.While the Viper and the Prowler were tightly targeted at specific, and quite small markets, the Cruiser had broader appeal that took it beyond those who simply wanted a cool looking car that reminded them of their long lost youth.It might have looked like a 1930s panel van, but the Cruiser also boasted a versatile interior layout that made it a winner with a broad cross-section of buyers who needed family transport, a weekend escape wagon, or a part-time cargo carrier.  Businesses also found it a perfect promotional vehicle, its cute retro looks attracting attention wherever it went.MODEL WATCHChrysler designers unashamedly looked to the 1930s for their inspiration for the PT Cruiser. They’d wowed show crowds with their modern interpretation of the American hot rod with the Plymouth Prowler, which for a time revived interest in the Plymouth brand, and the Cruiser was conceived to do the same thing for Chrysler, which was also struggling to appeal to younger buyers.Baby boomer Tom Gale led the design team responsible for Chrysler’s retro cars. Gale was also a hot rodder so it was no surprise when his cars had elements of the great American cars of the past.The Prowler recalled Ford roadsters of the early-1930s, some argue that its inspiration was the classic 1934 Ford, others that it was the 1937 roadster, and the Cruiser’s shape seemed to recall late-1930s Ford panel vans. The Cruiser’s grille, bonnet, bumpers, running boards and overall profile were clear reminders of the 1937 Ford panel van.It wasn’t a panel van; it was a five-door wagon, a small peoplemover of sorts.  That it was a peoplemover shouldn’t be surprising really, Chrysler was the leading maker of peoplemovers, minivans to our American cousins, in the US.The company had created the market segment and was the acknowledged leader, so in many ways the Cruiser simply extended the reach of the peoplemover to those who wanted a smaller vehicle.  The designers’ stated aim was to produce a car with the external dimensions of a small car and the interior space of a much larger vehicle.The key to the Cruiser’s appeal was its clever interior, which in a matter of a few seconds could be converted from a one-passenger cargo carrier to a full five-seater family wagon. It was all thanks to its seats, which could be moved, folded or even removed. In total Chrysler claimed there were more than 25 possible seating configurations.It might have looked like it belonged in the past, but in fact it was a very modern interpretation of the motorcar.  While Americans could buy a Cruiser with a torquey 2.4-litre engine, all export markets, including Australia, had to make do with a smaller 2.0-litre unit, which was a pity as the 2.4-litre engine gave the Cruiser more zip and more flexibility.The 2.0-litre engine was a double overhead camshaft fuel-injected unit with four valves per cylinder, which put out 104 kW at 5600 revs and 186 Nm at 4400 revs.  Buyers could choose from a five-speed manual or four-speed auto.Performance was adequate for a small car such as the Cruiser was, although its looks suggested it was more of a performer.  Its ride was comfortable, it handled predictably and with precision, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS ensured it stopped well.Chrysler offered the Cruiser in two models, the Classic and Limited. Included in the Classic were dual frontal airbags, air-conditioning, remote central locking, power windows, CD player, traction control, power driver’s seat height adjustment.  Add to that front side airbags, chrome alloys, suede/leather trim, front fog lights and a leather wrapped wheel and you had the Limited.Anyone who felt particularly nostalgic could add one of a number of graphics kits Chrysler offered. These ranged from stripes and scallops to flames.IN THE SHOPEarly cars are approaching the first major service, which will require a timing belt change so be aware of the extra cost of that service.  Generally the Cruiser seems to give little trouble, the engine and gearbox stand the test of time quite well.Take a look under the oil filler cap for signs of sludge that would indicate missed services, also remove the oil dip stick and check the state of the oil in the sump. The oil should be clear, not dark or with obvious contaminants.When driving observe the automatic transmission for heavy shifts or flaring during shifts, make sure the manual shifts smoothly.  Also on manuals make sure there’s some free play at the top of the clutch pedal travel, and that the clutch fully releases.No free play may mean the clutch will soon need replacing.  Carefully inspect the interior for signs of damage due to heavy commercial use.IN A CRASHThe Cruiser has a well-proven chassis package with four-wheel discs, along with ABS and traction control for crash avoidance, and an array of airbags for protection in the crunch.All models feature front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, the Limited also boasts front side airbags for added protection of driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact.OWNERS SAYPaul Lynch and Peter Dillon were Chrysler nuts that reckoned the Cruiser was the perfect promotional vehicle for their carpet business.“It’s a cool looking car,” says Lynch. “It was like the ‘R’ and ‘S’ Series Valiants in the 1960s, which were like space ships when they were launched. They still look wild today.“I liked the Cruiser’s retro looks, it’s great for advertising and has paid for itself already.”They bought one when they first came out in 2000, optioned it with everything they could, including the flame graphics package. It’s now done around 100,000 km and has given them no trouble at all, it even still has the original brakes.LOOK FOR• Cute retro styling can be a turn-on for some buyers, but a turnoff for others• Modest performance from 2.0-litre engine• Safe and sound front-wheel drive chassis dynamics• Comfortable ride• Brilliantly flexible interior• Generally reliable mechanicsTHE BOTTOM LINEWorth a look if you need a vehicle that can be used for a multitude of uses, but its standout styling means you must be able to live in the spotlight.RATING65/100

It was easy to drop the electric top and soak up the warmth in a vehicle that is likely to sell to a small but very happy group of Australians.Chrysler Group Australia aims to move only 200-250 Cabrios, but believes they will boost PT Cruiser sales to about 1200 cars a year and rattle some rivals, including the Volkswagen Beetle and Mini convertibles.The PT is more than just a Cruiser with a roof job. The car has been taken from a five-door hatch and converted into a two-door with a boot below the foldaway roof.The top is a triple-layer electric job with a one-button operation that can be flipped or folded at walking pace if you get caught in a surprise shower.It is priced from $35,890 as a five-speed manual, up from the $29,990 basic PT Cruiser but well in the ballpark against the Beetle Cabrio at $36,990 and with something special on the design front.How is it different? The styling is very different," Chrysler group managing director Gerry Jenkins says."It's a vehicle that stands by itself, and the odd thing is that the people who buy them don't want anything else. That's the same for all the PT Cruiser models."He admits the timing could have been better."It's available to us now, and it's not a bad time, because it gets people thinking ahead to summer," he says.The Cruiser Cabrio is a four-seat car that has been strengthened in almost 40 places for its convertible work, including a sport bar behind the front seats.The roofline is 62mm lower than the sedan's and there is a new windscreen frame, and heated seats in the Limited model.The engine is the PT's regular 2.4-litre four with 105kW and either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto with touch-change manual mode.Jenkins believes the PT Cabrio will do well and continue the growth of the Chrysler brand, which is being headlined by the 300C and will soon include the Dodge Caliber compact."The PT is our Steady Eddie. We sell about 1000 a year. It just keeps on going."I think this will give it a little bit of a lift. There are people who already have a PT who will step up to this one."PT owners are very animated, and like to be outside the norm," Jenkins says."As for the 300, we're still running short of stock. And we're launching the Touring model and we're doing the diesel engine at the same time. We have a waiting list on the SRT8 through to September."ON THE ROADThe Cruiser Cabrio is a distinctive newcomer, that's for sure. The PT has always been very different and the drop-top is more of the same.It's not the best-looking car with the top up, with a rear end we think is a bit dumpy and a roofline that does not work as well as the original, but it looks trendy and new with the top folded away.The top is easy to work and works well, there is reasonable boot space, and there's room for two adults in the back.The PT has never been the quickest or sportiest car on the road, but the Cabrio gets along well enough with its 2.4-litre engine.The manual gearbox still feels slick and, even though it has only four gears, the auto is fun with the "Autostick" system for manual work.The conversion has weakened the car a little, but it still feels solid and substantial.It is not as wobbly as some other droptops we have driven, though it is not in the rock-solid class of the new Mazda MX-5.There is little wind noise or buffeting when the is top down, but several test cars had a rumble behind the windscreen when the top was up.And, as always, three-quarter and parking vision is compromised.So the Cruiser Cabrio is not a sports car or the best convertible in the world, but it was a great way to blow away the winter blues. The sun shone and we had a nice drive. Enough said.

The look hasn't changed; full points for still being one of the funkiest cars on the road – especially with a front grille that looks like a big grin and chrome door handles with buttons.And the PT feels the same – until you put your foot down. What's under the bonnet is bigger and better. Chrysler has responded to criticisms that the Cruiser was underpowered by upping the ante with a 2.4-litre engine.There's more torque in this 16-valve, four-cylinder version. The engine no longer feels like its struggling to pull the big body of the PT.And the gears are tight in the five-speed manual ... "as tight as Pinky Tuscadaro's butt", quips a male friend of mine. (Apologies to anyone who didn't watch Happy Days ... or its re-runs).Those who already own PTs – especially the 122 die-hard enthusiasts in the PT Cruiser Car Club – will tell you that the bigger engine isn't the only attraction for their much-loved cars. It's the whole package that sets their spark plugs firing. In my eyes, though, grunt is good. More grunt? Well, that can only be Grrroovy.Whoops, sorry, wrong era. But there's a lot of that going on when you're talking about the Cruiser.Most people think 1950s ... a car to go with big skirts, bobbysocks and stovepipe pants.Others say we should be thinking more along the lines of gangster cars in the vein of Bonny and Clyde or Al Capone.But I'm told that the PT was actually styled on a 1940s' car.To save confusion, picture someone in the '50s, restoring a prewar 1940s' car. Then transport it to 2005, upgrade the engine and add the latest gadgets such as airbags, power windows, a sunroof, adjustable armrests, side mirrors that fold in like cute ears, cruise control – even seat warmers – and you have a funk-mobile that's still turning heads. Love it or hate it, the Cruiser does command attention.Inside, the black leather and suede-trim seats, sleek silver dash, cue-ball knob on the gearstick and holes in side-door pockets add to "the" look.But enough talking, I'm ready to rock and roll.SEAT-BELT warning – as loud and annoying as it is – it does its job very well.Seats in the back fold down and clip out to make the boot space even bigger.IT has a big turning circle that takes a while to get used to.Lack of lighting on the instrument panel and in the glove box.

Chrysler trod a different styling path with its retro turn in the late 1990s. It was a calculated gamble to revive its flagging brands by tapping into a nostalgia craze, particularly in America where cars like the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler and Chrysler PT Cruiser were met with wild enthusiasm.Chrysler designers unashamedly looked to the 1930s for their inspiration for the PT Cruiser. They'd wowed show crowds with their modern interpretation of the American hot rod with the Plymouth Prowler, which for a time revived interest in the Plymouth brand, and the Cruiser was conceived to do the same thing for Chrysler which was also struggling to appeal to younger buyers.The designers' stated aim was to produce a car with the external dimensions of a small car and the interior space of a much larger vehicle. The key to the Cruiser's appeal is its clever interior which, in a matter of a few seconds, can be converted from a one-passenger cargo carrier to a full five-seater family wagon. It's all thanks to its seats, which can be moved, folded or even removed.In total, Chrysler claimed there were more than 25 possible seating configurations.  While Americans could buy a Cruiser with a 2.4-litre engine, export markets had to make do with a smaller 2.0-litre unit.The 2.0-litre engine was a double overhead camshaft fuel-injected unit with four valves per cylinder which put out 104kW at 5600rpm and 186Nm at 4400rpm. Buyers could choose from a five-speed manual or four-speed auto. Performance was adequate for a small car, although looks suggested it was a performer.Its ride was comfortable, it handled predictably and with precision, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS ensured it stopped well. Chrysler offered the Cruiser in two models, the Classic and Limited. Included in the Classic were dual frontal airbags, air-conditioning, remote central locking, power windows, CD player, traction control and power driver's seat height adjustment.Add to that front side-airbags, chrome alloys, suede/leather trim, front fog lights and a leather-wrapped wheel and you had the Limited. Anyone who felt particularly nostalgic could add one of a number of graphics kits Chrysler offered. These ranged from stripes and scallops to flames.Early cars are approaching the first major service that will require a timing belt change, so be aware of the extra cost of that service. Generally the Cruiser seems to give little trouble, the engine and gearbox stand the test of time quite well.Take a look under the oil filler cap for signs of sludge that would indicate missed services, also remove the oil dip stick and check the state of the oil in the sump.The oil should be clear, not dark or with obvious contaminants. When driving, observe the automatic transmission for heavy shifts or flaring during shifts and make sure the manual shifts smoothly. Also on manuals make sure there's some free play at the top of the clutch pedal travel, and that the clutch fully releases. Inspect the interior for signs of damage from commercial use.The Cruiser has a well-proven chassis package with four-wheel discs, along with ABS and traction control for crash avoidance, and an array of airbags for protection in the crunch.All models feature front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, and the Limited has front side airbags for added protection of driver and passenger.Worth a look if you need a versatile vehicle, but its flashy styling means you must be able to stand being in the spotlight.

23 June 2006 Cruiser Cabrio - you are the sunshine of my life02 Jul 2005 Happiness is a bit of funk02 Mar 2005 Back to the '50s05 Feb 2005 Passion for retro fashion|http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/research/specifications/search-results.do?pageSize=&clearCompare=true&make=CHRYSLER&model=PT+CRUISER&year=2004 |http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results.do?searchType=5&clearCompare=true&view=1&make=CHRYSLER&model=PT+CRUISER&priceFrom=&priceTo=

While I was growing up in the bush, people were making music surrounded by a culture that became a lifestyle.By the time I woke up and it all meant something, I'd virtually missed the Beach Boys, started drinking the wrong beer – there is, as I found out later, no such thing – and the Woody wagons of western America only appeared in a blur as a Morris Traveller with WA number plates.Which is why Chrysler decided to let us more mature drivers relive the bits of our youth that we either missed or couldn't afford.A bit like reading a Phantom comic where the writer says: "For those who came in late..."Welcome to the PT Cruiser. This is a wagon of the 1950s without the dry rot of side panels made of wood, an engine without a downdraught carburettor resembling a sparrow's throat, and, God bless them all, seatbelts.I must say I like this. The PT Cruiser is an extremely thought-out package that makes the wagon a very appealing machine for the thinking family. It was raining hard when I unloaded the groceries the other day, but the high hatch lid kept me dry. The plastic bags of food were strung on neat hooks provided by a moveable parcel shelf.If I wanted more space, I would have folded the split rear seats flat, then folded the front passenger seat forward to create a giant flat sleeping or loading zone.Its US heritage – despite the fact it's made in Mexico – reflects in the plush ride, accent on soft furnishings, and a few garish fittings dug up from the Beach Boys days.There's lots of leather in the Limited edition, with some stylish panels of alcantara thrown in, plus a gearshifter comprising a naked vertical rod of chrome topped by a black sphere.In my day, that would be an eight-ball, drilled and tapped in my father's garage to suit the thread of the gearshift rod.The dashboard is predominantly soft-feel black plastic, with silver finishes to the instrument surround.It all looks nice, but it's a bit messy. The electric window switches are top and centre on the dashboard. The buttons on the doors are locks, not window buttons.There are plenty of cup holders, indeed there is sufficient personal storage space, along with lots of sensible switchgear, including simplistic ventilation controls.In the PT Cruiser's latest guise, the engine goes from 2-litre ordinary to 2.4-litre ovation. It's obviously a lot better, though it could still be a lot better.The 2.4 is practically the same style of engine, just with more herbs. It is faster off the line, substantially more torquey and seems to have got quieter. The handling, however, is ordinary.The car tested was a five-speed manual with a notchy, yet positive, shift. A four-speed auto is optional, though don't expect tyre-screeching acceleration.I like this car. But don't buy it for its performance. Buy it because it is different, because it is surprisingly roomy, has one of the most versatile interiors on the market, and has loads of features.And you'll never lose it in the shopping car park.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser certainly looks like no other car on the road, has attracted a core of diehard fans and even spawned a club of owners.But does it raise your pulse?Since it was launched in 2000, it hasn't raised many pulses. Last year it sold only 974, which was 102 more than in 2003, but 120 fewer than the quirky Toyota Prius hybrid.However, pulses may quicken now that Chrysler has replaced the two-litre engine with a 5kW more powerful 2.4 unit. Power is now up to 105kW at 5200rpm and torque up 14 per cent to 214Nm at 4000rpm, but it's still no hotrod.Launch from the lights is prompt, but overtaking power is a little slow on stream and it struggles under load and on steep gradients.The engine sounds noisy and harsh, but transmission vibration has been reduced by twin-counter rotating balance shafts that smooth out the four-stroke beats.Chrysler doesn't seem to have upgraded the clutch to account for the extra power and torque, so you get a bit of shudder until you master matching engine revs to road speed.The light clutch may be handy for some drivers, but it makes smooth driving a needless chore.Fans of retro styling will admire the attention to detail, such as old-style chrome door handles with push buttons and the abundance of chrome inside.But the now-leather steering wheel is a little too old-fashioned with tilt-only adjustment and no audio controls, despite the volume knob being way over on the left for American left-hand-drive.The upright stance of the car is reflected in the interior accommodation which is high and straight.While there are 32 different seating configurations thanks to split rear seating, there is only room for four adults or two adults and three small children. However, legroom is quite good.New for 2005 is a Grand Tourer (GT) edition with performance suspension and tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels.The combination helps control the daunting understeer of this front-wheel-drive machine.Other new touches include a body coloured rear roof mounted spoiler, silver shift knob, leather steering wheel, overhead console, front and rear fog lights, electronic touch pad on the boot and stalk cruise control as standard on all models except the manual Classic model.All models (Grand Tourer, Classic and Limited) offer manual or automatic gearbox.Standard safety equipment includes front and side driver and passenger airbags, low-speed traction control and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.Options include a security alarm, sunroof and new exterior and interior colours.

Its eye-catching retro-styling puts the car in the same league as the popular new Mini Cooper and well above the less-than-gorgeous VW Beetle.In such an ideal world, a V6 engine and/or a turbocharger would help the package along nicely.Throw in a top-quality suspension and handling package, an interior with quality switches, dials and instruments, truly-adjustable driver seating and inside styling to match the bold outside look and we are really talking popularity.Of course such a machine would cost about $50,000. The 2005 PT Cruiser just released to Australian showrooms costs about $30,000.And as such, the real world clashes head on with the ideal world dreams.The previous model was criticised for being under-powered.Daimler Chrysler has tried to address this by upgrading to a 2.4 litre powerplant over the previous inadequate two-litre donk.Better, yes, but still not quite good enough.The actual engine power increase amounts to just 5kW. Torque is up 14 per cent to 214Nm at 4000rpm.As such the performance delivery is much smoother than from the previous smaller-engined model.The test car, an automatic model, comes with the novelty of a clutchless manual-style operation known as Autostick that enables the driver to flick through the three forward gears.That marginally improves the driver's feel for the car but if you want to change gears yourself, you really should buy a manual.The new model comes in three levels, Classic ($29,990 manual) Grand Tourer ($30,990) and the Cruiser Limited ($33,990). Add $2000 to each for an automatic.The Classic is the base model.As tested the Grand Tourer has better suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels (the others have 16-inch), tyres, a neat body-mounted rear roof spoiler, silver shift knob, leather steering wheels, overhead console and front and rear fog lights.Leather trim, heated front seats, an overhead console featuring a digital display giving you an outside temperature reading and compass information are among the extras on the most expensive of the trio, the Class Limited.The retro feel continues inside but is let down by some rather clunky switches.Turning on the rear window wipers for the first time proved interesting as the switch was eventually found hidden below the radio.The driver's seating position seems unnecessarily high.The dash and driving compartment are functional, but could definitely be bolder to match the striking exterior.Safety features are good with front and side driver and passenger airbags and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard.Chrysler offer a three-year/100,000km warranty that also includes 24-hour roadside assistance for its duration.The PT Cruiser has in general been well received in Australia.Since its launch in 2000, Chrysler says 4200 models have been sold, including stronger sales last year than in 2003.It's very much a car that divides opinion, clearly based on its looks.People either like it or they don't, and it has proved valuable to businesses wanting a vehicle to be noticed in.So, would I buy one? Yes, based on its great retro looks and pricing. But there are reservations about its performance and the interior feel not really matching its image.