By now it should surprise no one that this auto is no longer considered quirky, though it is still considered ultra retro. With its good looking (IMHO)pseudo Panel Truck aura comes a well-fitted set of body panels. The exceptionally close tolerances are a positive reflection of the Germanic influence that Daimler Benz brought to the ever Quirky Chrysler Corporation (Makers of the first, and very noisy electronic ignitions, and keepers of the turbo engine.) Mine has yet to develop a road squeak and we are talking 90,000+ miles 18 months ago. Quality control is definitely up there. Even now at 120,000 miles--no road squeaks. Sometimes she creaks and groans as I exit her on a cold frosty day--but that is the sum total of noises after 6 1/2 years of ownership and constant steady driving.

Driving this little machine, though not exciting, remains a fun experience. The 150 horses is a shade underpowered w/the 4 speed automatic, but the shifting is silky smooth. When this thing kicks down,its pickup is at least adequate, and there is no body shake to the car at all. As a matter of fact, the shifting on this car is as smooth as that of my old Mercedes throughout the entire range. As most Benzes themselves are slightly underpowered, I believe Daimler Chrysler relies on this smooth as glass shifting to sell you on the pleasantly adequate, though far from inspiring acceleration that tends to run rampant through most of their stable of automobiles. Unlike some reviewers, I have no problem getting on and off the freeway or passing other cars, though admittedly, I'd like to see 25 more horses on this base model. Still, 120,000 miles later she has pleny of pep. Admittedly, I Change plugs every 30,000 and wires every 60K so she has more get up and go than many cars 1/2 her age.

Gas mileage is mediocre for a 4-banger. I get 23.5 MPG in my 50/50 mixed driving. Straight highway mileage is 28+. Overall reliability, however, is impressive. 5 years and 90,000 miles later I had only changed the oil, air filters, belts, shocks and struts--the stuff that usually wears out much earlier. The brake didn't even need new shoes and drums till 60,000 miles. At 90,000 they were still packing 5/32nds of an inch, and made it all the way to 1000,000 miles. That's impressive in this day and age when brakes usually last a mere 18-20,000 miles.

All belts were changed at 90,000 miles self- prescribed. Since that is when you change the timing belt on this thing I went ahead and had all the belts changed, as well as putting in a new water pump. I also changed the spark plugs, as I have every 30,000 miles. The manufacturer's Goodyear Eagles came w/loads of tread, and lasted for 60,000 miles. I replaced the battery at 100K but seeing as it was  5 years old, it didn't owe me anything at that point. In other words, what comes off the lot represents real value in this day and age of built in obsolescence. I have only replaced parts that were usually designed to hold up less than the mileage I actually managed to get from them. Now that we are at 120,000 miles, I reamain astounded as to the reliability, and viability of this car.

This last year, however, several parts that are normal wear and tear for this high of a mileage finally bought the farm. This is a problem for older cars--even when owned by maintenance hawks such as myself. My mechanic and I gave the car a serious once over as far as current engine compression, oil pressure variability, state of transmission etc...goes. We came to the conclusion that for around $1800.00 this car would, provided I keep up the eagle eye maintenance program that I do, easily make it to 250,000 miles. The Mercedes  heritage is obvious. It's sad they had to let go of this company. They built one heck of  a car together. There is an outside chance that I may end up driving this thing till it breaks 500,000 miles. Here's a list of things I replaced at 120,000 miles.

Plugs and plug wires. That's pretty standard issue. The front bushings were finally gone. 120,000 miles is good for a set of bushings. My right front wheel blew a bearing.---Don't mess with these---replace them --fast! My tranny is rock solid as far as shifting goes, but the solenoid has been leaking since the 90,000 mile mark. I simply poured in some ultra thick Slick 50 Tranny Treatment and that got me by till now. We went ahead and fixed that up for good this time though. Once the solenoid seal blows--the tranny can leak fluid like a sieve, and you're begging for a freeze up and tranny seizure at that point. The shocks and struts were gonzo----that too is very standard at this high rate of mileage. All replaced with Monroe lifetimes---no more cheapies for baby if she's going to make 1/2 a million. The usual oil change, brake check, and various sundry fluid levels were then checked, and adjusted accordingly. We cleaned out the fuel injector throttle body, and changed out the fuel filter as well. I run a fuel system cleaner every 6,000 miles. Last but not least--the lower engine mount had definitely seen better days. Yes $1800.00 is a lot--but when you look at the list of what I had done, it's really not bad at all. It's less than 1/2 a year's car payments, and it practically guarantees that this thing will go 250,000. I highly recommend you perform compression checks etc.. before making a large dollar commitment similar to mine.

The ride in this car remains comfortable as well as fun. The seats aren't quite live in status, but they make long trips bearable. Despite the large amounts of plastic I am surrounded by, I enjoy this car's quirky interior. The two front seats are almost the old 70's van like Captain's Chairs, but on a smaller and more proportionate ratio to the interior as a whole. I highly recommend leather seats as it adds a touch of class to the little PT, and makes the starknes of the plastic disappear.  Between both seats are individual arm rests, and down near the stick are more cupholders and coin slots than you can shake a stick at. The only complaint I had at first, but I got over it rather quickly, is the odd mounting of the window slider buttons in the top mid section of the dash, rather than in the doors themselves.

The glove box is very generous, with room for manuals, receipts, long lost CD's, etc..The A/C and heater on this baby just crank it----even after 120,00 miles in hot Texas weather. The controls are the standard issue analogue dials, which I much prefer to the old school push buttons or sliders. I even prefer them to the digitally monitored auto set variety that never quite set it right, and often break w/expensive consequences. Rear leg room is adequate for two large-very large adults, but the third person's going to be part of ye olde squeeze play. The carpet is fairly plush  even if somewhat bland.

All in all, the interior is good looking. The analogue dials on the dash are large and easy to read, though I might prefer a voltage gauge, and an oil pressure gauge  over idiot lights. None the less, the Speedometer and Tach Placed side by side on well lit dials makes it feel sporty. The adjustable steering column is well laid out, and the cruise control is actually on a lever coming off of the column. It sounds horrible on paper, but in reality once you get used to it you may very well end up preferring it over those oft times hard to locate and manage buttons in the middle of your steering wheel. The passenger seat has a storage bin under it as well.

Though the turning radius on these is notoriously large, (one reason your insurance company classifies it as "A Truck"), the handling is still respectable, even in tight situations. For the money you get a versatile car that packs as much cargo as the behemoth wagons of old, yet remains fun to drive and look at. It may come off as a Poser to the hot rod fans, but to us Waggoneers it is a real deal. At 90,000 miles, w/nothing but regular maintenance, this has proven to be the most reliable, and well built car I've ever owned. At 120,000 miles it has proven to be well worth the chance to shoot for a quarter of a million miles. I plan to keep updating this review till this, the most reliable car I've ever owned, finally cashes in her chips.
Amount Paid (US$): 17950
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: I have the base model, but have Auto Tranny , CD , Cruise Control