Successful Failure

[bhut2180]

Watch out for your engine mounts, they tend to go out pretty quickly, but they are fairly easy to replace

[vacationtime247]

Front control arms out at the local machine shop getting new bushings pressed in. Getting new ball joints pressed in also. Thought my inner tie rods were bad, turns out it was the passenger side control arm bushing. Put new spark plugs in, runs a lot better. Now need to finish the suspension. The never ending headache this car is giving me. > : (
VT247

[ecofreak]

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

Front control arms out at the local machine shop getting new bushings pressed in. Getting new ball joints pressed in also. Thought my inner tie rods were bad, turns out it was the passenger side control arm bushing. Put new spark plugs in, runs a lot better. Now need to finish the suspension. The never ending headache this car is giving me. > : (
VT247

You might be better off flipping the car and attempting to make a small profit. (True sentiments in white below, between the sad faces. I don't want to offend here.) Personally, I think PT Cruisers are the epitome of why US automakers are bankrupt. That car, to me, is one of the ugliest and most pathetic examples of auto design. People still bought them up, but I'm sure none of them were quite happy with their purchase.

The only good thing about the car is that they sold a diesel trim in the US.

[vacationtime247]

Ok, I think I'm finally done. At least for now. Got the control arms back from the machine shop. Had them press in new ball joints and rear control arm bushings. Put in new outer tie rods and a watts link in the back. This car has been a nightmare. How they sold so many is beyond comprehension. What a total POS. Hope it's done enough so she can drive it. I'll drive it to work tomorrow to test it out. Hope it makes the 18 mile drive there. Initial test and tune seemed good.
VT247

[JellyBeanDriver]

We're original owners of a 2001. Bought it when it first came out - had to wait 2 months to get it as they were not making stick shift ones yet and we heard the automatic was a dog. With the stick it's bearable but you have to wind out the gears.

Gas mileage has never been great, 16 city, 25 highway. It does 'cruise' very well on the freeway. Will do 80 MPH all day pretty comfortably and handles pretty well. Stop and go sucks.

Fit and finish is going downhill rapidly. Dashboard is cracked all over, exterior trim broke off, windshield had to be replaced from stress cracks from the edges.

Drivetrain has been very reliable, nothing replaced yet with 92K miles though it's burning oil, much more than my Geo Metro with 411K miles on the original engine.

BTW, the cruiser is NOT an interference engine, the valves will not hit the pistons. Being DOHC, the valves can hit each other (so I've read).

[Neen]

Non-interference...hmm checked it out and you are right. Good to know. Even so, replacing it is a flipping pain.

Back to the PT, you shhould sell it cause no matter how reliable it is now, you will have a bad taste in your mouth and will be ready to dump on it. Honestly though...it has been a good car for us and has been pretty much trouble free. I drive cars very conservatively though. The Mustang is for spirited driving. So for those who are considering a PT the only advice I can give is buy a manual transmission only.

[trooper Tdiesel]

2001 4speed auto trans PT
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

2001 3speed auto trans van
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates


the numbers are rather jaw dropping

the van would beat the PT if it was a manual trans....
1995 was the last I-4 manual trans year.....granted its a 2.5L not a 2.4L engine.
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates


i don't know what they where smoking when aro testing the PT, but it had to be some really good stuff.

[vacationtime247]

Guess when they tested these cars, fuel mileage wasn't even considered. The NEW mpg rating for these cars are 20 mpg averaged & 23 highway for the automatic. Why fix anything if they're selling faster than they can be made(initially)?

If there is any silver lining in this, it's that I'm still under low re-sell value $ wise. At @ $1600 now, but it still needs things like the back passenger side tire, alignment, rear shocks. So another $150. Getting sick of putting money in it. With just 116k miles on the od, it's falling apart. The PO (Previous Owner) can't be completely at fault.

Put in a color changing radio for $100. If my wife likes it, so will the next person looking at it. Should increase the resale value too, lol ; ) Sell 'em on the radio, forget the car.....look at the radio! Want to double my $ on it. Get something better.
VT247

[vacationtime247]

Well this story has a happy ending. Got my wife a 2001 Pontiac Aztek for cheap, $1500. Sold this PT Cruiser for $2550. The people who got the PT Cruiser were happy for the deal, I'm happy with the Aztek. Got a tent on order for it. The Aztek even gets better MPG than that Cruiser! More room and lots more features to it as well.

Just so y'all know this is for my wife. My daily driver is still the 50 mpg Tempo diesel, with the occational trip in the 35 mpg Escort.
VT247