I bought my 2004 PT Cruiser in December of 2003 after my lease was up on my Explorer. I had looked at the VW and the PT, but the deciding factor was the rear leg room in the PT - I have a 14-year old daughter with VERY long legs.
Having never driven a PT, my husband & I went to a dealership the first part of December & took a base PT out for a spin. My husband was skeptical at first (he wasn't thrilled with the looks), but after riding in the back seat, he was won over.
We returned a couple of weeks later to purchase. I found almost the exact car I wanted: Touring edition, inferno red, moonroof, cloth interior, etc. The only change I made was a 6-cd changer instead of an Am/FM Cassette CD player. Not a major problem for me.
My PT is a four cylinder, but I feel that it has sufficient get-up-and-go. I've never had any trouble getting by slower traffic or not feeling confident that I could pull out from an intersection and not have the power I needed to flow into traffic. The transmission shifts smoothly, although I have encountered a little "shudder" when trying to maintain a lower speed, especially up a hill.
The handling is tight and holds curves well. Even though it is considered a "tall wagon", there is not much of a lean in curves and corners (especially not like my Explorer). The ride is a bit stiff, but after having an SUV, I'm comfortable with the stiffness.
The controls are situated well. I like the power window controls being located in the center of the dash. All the other controls are well marked, and easy to reach. The stereo has what I call a notched volume control. It has little "stops" in it so if you are trying to adjust the volume and hit a bump, you don't deafen everyone in the car.
The console area is nice, but a little different configuration of the cup holders would be good. There are two up front for the front seat passengers, then a single one between the front seats, and another single for the rear seat passengers. The single holder between the front seats is too far for a back seat passenger to reach through to pick up a drink. Another one or two cup holders for the rear seat would be nice. The back of the console (toward to back seat) has rear window controls that can also be locked out on the dashboard.
The power moonroof on the car is fun. There is the option of either using it in "vent" position, or opening it up. The glass seems to be well-tinted, but a truer test of that will be when our southern summer gets here!
Cargo area - WOW! I would have never believed that you could store so much in a smaller car. Trips to the local discount/grocery store are not a problem, even with a buggy load of stuff. The cargo area has an adjustable shelf with several different positions, and can also serve as a small picnic-style table for tailgating, etc.
The seats are comfortable enough, but were a little hard at first. As I drive the car more I am noticing that the driver's seat is softening up some. The feeling of sitting up higher in the car is nice. My PT has power height adjustment, but I keep my seat at the lowest point for my comfort. The elevated rear seating makes for a pretty comfortable ride for rear passengers, even those with longer legs. The rear seat also has a center lap/shoulder belt that is a little added peace of mind for parents.
I've checked gas mileage several times, and have had an overall average of around 21-23 mpg. This is mostly rural and suburban road travel, and one interstate travel.
The only thing I wish Chrysler would change is the tilt steering mechanism. The under-the-column lever is a bit awkward, and I also have to lock it in the higher position to get in and out. I would like it better if it were the regular stick on the column device.
Overall, very happy with my PT. Love the distinctive looks, interior room, sound system, seating, etc. I've never actually had a car that made me happy to drive, but this one does. Mileage is not spectacular - you would think that a smaller car like this would get better MPG, but the difference is not a major concern for me. Turning radius, as I've seen in other reviews, is not good but I'm learning to make adjustments.
A very fun car - be prepared to get some looks and waves - several other PT owners have waved at me. Also had an older gentleman stop by my office and invite me to join a PT Cruiser Club.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20000
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: Touring Edition
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.