Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.2 CRD - yay or nay?

caprilicious

I would really love one of these. I'm in the market for one at the moment & have come across one in the UK for good money. Even including bringing it in/vrt etc it's still working out a good grand cheaper than what you would pay for one here.

Has anyone here driven them and have feedback good or bad?
I've read they do about 40mpg, would you find that to be the case? As I want something with a lot of space but that's not going to cost the earth to put diesel into.

I know from reading online reviews so far that they're prone to wearing suspension parts. I don't mind that too much as it's a relatively cheap fix & diy job to do.

I think in terms of styling they're a bit marmite, you either love them or loathe them. My other half is in the 'loathe' camp & is not keen for me to get one.

The one I'm looking at is a 2005 2.2 CRD manual.

I travel about 300 - 400km per week, hence the preference for diesel & have 2 small kids so wanted the large car for their paraphernalia.

It is one of those or a BMW 320D touring, although I've read so much bad about expensive fixes required on them (injectors/turbos/inlet manifold valves going) that it's put me off.

Would love to hear opinions either way

tview

Hi have you decided on which car to buy yet?

caprilicious

tview wrote: »

Hi have you decided on which car to buy yet?

Yep, I bit the bullet & bought the PT Cruiser. Absolutely LOVE it! it's doing 40mpg which is great for the engine size.
Buckets of power in it, handles lovely. Bit of a wide turning circle on it alright, but not the end of the world. Delighted I went for it now

tview

Nice!! I actually wanted to ask you to consider buying the Cruiser. I have my 2001 2.0L for two months now. I bought it with a few problems, but i got her at a good price. I quickly discovered to source any parts from the UK. They are not very common over here, and you don't get any spare parts in Ireland,(that i know of). I enjoy my Cruiser otherwise, and she put a smile on my face every time i drive her. Do you mind to send some pics?What model do you have? I will also send you some. Happy Cruisin'

caprilicious

I've no pics at the min put will post some when I get a chance to give it a much needed clean

I found the same with parts. People were trying to talk me out of buying them saying parts would be difficult to come across.
I needed a few service parts & suspension bits, they were relatively cheap & arrived from the UK in 48 hours.
Nothing wrong with that

I'm the same, it puts a smile on my face when I drive it my previous car was a 1.5l diesel Renault Scenic which had as much go in it as a lame donkey. The cruiser is such a lovely powerful car to drive in comparison!

You're right about them not being too common. I bought my one in Fermanagh & passed only 1 other cruiser on the 300+km drive home!

I'd love to do my one up a bit if funds allow. Top of my wish list would have to be these......



http://www.ebay.ie/itm/350507426361?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I've a silver 2.2 CRD model

Is your own one factory standard?

Mine is in steel wheels & has a cracked front bumper, so needs a little work. Mechanically it's great though

tview

Hey, that hubcaps will really look nice with suspension slightly lowered. I bought mine with some cosmetic upgrades i.e. chrome side spear covers,chrome mirror covers,chrome rear light trims, and chrome gear lever knob. My car's rear bumper is slightly damaged(it's not visible on the pics though). Here are a few pics.

si_guru

Go the whole hog lads...

tview

si_guru wrote: »

Go the whole hog lads...

Thats INSANE!!!:eek: I will sell both my kidneys for that one:)

caprilicious

lol not too sure about that one si guru

tview yours looks great, I think that blue is one of the nicest colours for it the extra bits of chrome really make it

Senna

I'm all for unusual and "different" looking cars and normally the less on the road the better, but i just cant like a PT cruiser.

caprilicious

I think they're a real marmite car Senna, you either love em or hate em

They fitted my criteria of something spacious & relatively economical without looking like a mammy wagon
I probably wouldn't have given one a second glance 5 or so years ago, they've grown on me!

tview

Thanks caprilicious. And i agree with you, it really is a matter of getting used to the american hotrod look. And a very comfortable ride.

Stheno

Senna wrote: »

I'm all for unusual and "different" looking cars and normally the less on the road the better, but i just cant like a PT cruiser.

I love em, I think of them as zz top cars

paddy147

That thing above looks more like a chavved up Morris Minor Van

si_guru

What was the GM car that came after the PT Cruiser??

I like the Steel wheel with hubcaps.. and the wood. if you Google "PT Woody" you get all levels of customised cars...

I agree - ZZ Top car for the family man! You casn pick up the convertible ones for next to nothing in the UK.

tview

I posted a thread concerning PT Cruiser parts, and service advise on boards a few weeks ago. No replies from Cruiser owners. I was just wondering, is there any PT Cruiser owners clubs in Ireland,or even local forums where you can share your experience (good and bad) knowledge, and advice with fellow Cruiser owners?

caprilicious

I didn't see any Irish club myself Tview, however I was nicely surprised today to find my local motorfactors (Top Part if there's any near you!) can get in PT cruiser parts.
They're as cheap if not cheaper than I had priced in the UK too plus the added bonus of getting them a lot faster than buying from the UK.

I had the nct today and have quite a shopping list of suspension parts to go into her so any mods or parts to tidy it up will be put on the long finger for now! :rolleyes:

tview

I googled Top Part, and it turned out the nearest branch is in Mullingar, about 1hour's drive from me. Did the car fail nct? If so, i'm sorry to hear, and hope it will be sorted soon.

tview

My Cruiser just past nct with flying colours yesterday.

caprilicious

Wish I could say the same.......nct booked for next week. I'm hoping for 3rd time lucky!
Brought it in first time to see what needed doing, second time because garage hadn't done a job I thought they had and last time the clutch release bearing went 2 days before the test!

Car was off the road for a week that time

Between getting work done and waiting for test dates in between I'm almost 3 months waiting to get in NCT'd! fingers crossed it goes through this time or I give up!

tview

caprilicious wrote: »

Wish I could say the same.......nct booked for next week. I'm hoping for 3rd time lucky!
Brought it in first time to see what needed doing, second time because garage hadn't done a job I thought they had and last time the clutch release bearing went 2 days before the test!

Car was off the road for a week that time

Between getting work done and waiting for test dates in between I'm almost 3 months waiting to get in NCT'd! fingers crossed it goes through this time or I give up!

Hang in there capri. I can imagine how hectic it was for ya. When you get it through the test, you at least know what you have. Was it all suspension problems? I was lucky to get mine passed, because you never know what you get when you buy a secondhand (pt cruiser) car. Good luck, and please don't give up!!:)

vicar1

Hello,
Thinking about buying a PT Cruiser, wondering if people are still happy with theirs and what miles per gallon they give. Have been thinking about one for years but a bit nervous of buying one as they aren't made anymore - any advice welcome!

caprilicious

I'm still happy with mine, I'm getting 45-50MPG doing mainly motorway miles in mine, I've had the few usual niggly issues, but only usual service issues from use, nothing too major.
I find it a lovely comfortable car to drive, ok tax is a killer (€250 quarterly ), but the cost is offset by the good Mpg for me.
They still get a thumb up from me, though if I was buying again I'd love a black one