Surprise of the day, “cool” looking pt cruisers

I think they look pretty damn good stock. It is definitely is dated - and it is dated enough that the retro isn't cool anymore - but it isn't ugly.

GM had a similar idea - the Chevrolet HHR SS.  Powered by Ecotec LNF turbo, so easy to increase power. Here is a modded one.  C. 3200 lbs., and an easy 400 + bhp with a bit of modding.

In reply to wspohn :

Fun fact:  The same designer--Bryan Nesbitt--that penned the PT Cruiser later changed jobs and designed the HHR for GM.  In spite of its being an obvious "me too!" product, the HHR sold reasonably well, racking up over a half million units in a six-year run.

Coolest PT cruiser in town... 

wspohn said:

GM had a similar idea - the Chevrolet HHR SS. 

"GM" didn't have the idea. Bob Lutz had the idea. Lutz was the one that caused the PT to be created at Chrysler, and took Bryan Nesbitt (the PT's designer) with him to GM after the PT's success and simply tried to replicate that success.

I'll just leave this here...

From this article:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/hemi-swapped-chrysler-pt-cruiser-shouldve-been-a-factory-option

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I drove one once, was shockingly bad. 

However, there a context where I like weird stuff.

If someone shows up at an autocross with one that they have prepped with some idea of what they are doing and a set of 200 TW tires, I'm going to be sure to be supportive. 

My experience was it was just a lot of meh. Lifeless steering, lifeless engine, too much body roll, kind of crap gas mileage for what it was. I mean it some how only got the same gas mileage as the much bigger and more practical Honda Element. The PT Cruiser was reasonable practical and decently comfortable though. All least that was my experience driving a couple friend's PTs.

I have driven both a HHR and PT on long road trips as new rental cars. The PT has a nicer interoir , the HHR had far better handling, power, ride, fuel economy, was quieter inside, and anything else mechanical you could think of was better.

Not a big fan of either on styling, but I'll vote HHR if I have to vote.

93EXCivic said:

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I drove one once, was shockingly bad. 

However, there a context where I like weird stuff.

If someone shows up at an autocross with one that they have prepped with some idea of what they are doing and a set of 200 TW tires, I'm going to be sure to be supportive. 

My experience was it was just a lot of meh. Lifeless steering, lifeless engine, too much body roll, kind of crap gas mileage for what it was. I mean it some how only got the same gas mileage as the much bigger and more practical Honda Element. The PT Cruiser was reasonable practical and decently comfortable though. All least that was my experience driving a couple friend's PTs.

Did you drive automatic equipped ones? Touring edition with better suspensions? Or the Limiteds with floaty suspensions? As I mentioned, the automatic ones were dogs. Lethargic to accelerate and hunting for gears all the time. And due to the stupid trans, they got worse fuel mileage than the manual ones by a lot.

Chris_V said:

93EXCivic said:

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I drove one once, was shockingly bad. 

However, there a context where I like weird stuff.

If someone shows up at an autocross with one that they have prepped with some idea of what they are doing and a set of 200 TW tires, I'm going to be sure to be supportive. 

My experience was it was just a lot of meh. Lifeless steering, lifeless engine, too much body roll, kind of crap gas mileage for what it was. I mean it some how only got the same gas mileage as the much bigger and more practical Honda Element. The PT Cruiser was reasonable practical and decently comfortable though. All least that was my experience driving a couple friend's PTs.

Did you drive automatic equipped ones? Touring edition with better suspensions? Or the Limiteds with floaty suspensions? As I mentioned, the automatic ones were dogs. Lethargic to accelerate and hunting for gears all the time. And due to the stupid trans, they got worse fuel mileage than the manual ones by a lot.

One was manual one was automatic. No idea on trim. I only drove the manual once though. Then it blew a head gasket.

One of the only convertible pickup trucks! Actually, has anybody done a convertible pickup outside of Mopar? Shelby Dakota, PT Cruiser and Gladiator are the only convertible pickups I can think of.

My godfather had an N/A 5 speed one for a few years. He swore it(and almost every other car he's owned) was the best car ever. The backseat was rarely up and it made a good car for two of us to go golfing in. Decent ingress into the trunk. Turning circle left something to be desired. 

In reply to buzzboy :

Model T Trucks. 

Mid 60's Ford Bronco's. 

SSR.

HMMWV's and the H1's.  List goes on.

And technically Dodge didn't build the Dakota's. ASC modified factory Dakota's into convertibles.  They cut off the tops and did the convertible conversion. 

And as an aside. I too had a PT. But mine was a 5 speed PT GT with stuff done. Great car. Miss it from time to time. Hell of a sleeper. Wouldn't mind another, some day. And how are you, Chris V. It's Gary C from back in the vwvortex days. 

In reply to GaryC83 :

The spouse had a PTGT 5 spd.  It was a surprisingly quick car and handled and stopped well.  We enjoyed it.

GaryC83 said:

And as an aside. I too had a PT. But mine was a 5 speed PT GT with stuff done. Great car. Miss it from time to time. Hell of a sleeper. Wouldn't mind another, some day. And how are you, Chris V. It's Gary C from back in the vwvortex days.

Hi, Gary! I loved following your build threads! Miss that kind of stuff over there! Back when we were doing a lot of paint and bodywork advice for people.

Found on FB. I don't hate it