The Chrysler PT Cruiser has run its course. “Today, we learned that July 9 will mark the last day of production for the venerable Chrysler PT Cruiser,” writes Automobile Magazine. “With more than 1.3 million units sold, the PT Cruiser represented one of the first executions of a modern retro car for the masses.”

Due to its aging design and underpowered engine, the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser currently ranks near the bottom of the affordable compact wagons class. However, that wasn’t always the case. Top Speed reports: “When it was first launched, the PT Cruiser was a brilliant little car, unique in every sort of way. The car went on sale in 2000 during the American SUV craze. The retro design, like the New Beetle, made it a massive sales success. In fact, the car sold well beyond anything Chrysler could have imagined.”

Sadly, the PT Cruiser failed to keep pace with the innovations of its competitors. The Detroit Free Press explains: “The PT Cruiser's history is the story of what Chrysler does brilliantly -- create unique, desirable new vehicles -- and of the failure to build on success that has repeatedly brought the company to its knees. … If Chrysler executives had followed up on the PT's initial success, they could have turned the car into an icon for the company. Instead, they left it alone as a singular sensation that bore no relationship to any other Chrysler vehicle.”

According Autoblog, “The Cruiser was originally earmarked for discontinuation a year ago, but when Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, it needed product, so the automaker kept it alive for another 12 months.”

If you're in the market for a 2010 PT Cruiser, now may be a great time to buy one. Deals and incentives will likely increase as dealers rush to get the PT off their lots.

The PT Cruiser is a great albeit underpowered fuctional vehicle. An upgraded engine would seem to me be an easier fix. A "station wagon" design is really handy. I have GM's clone an HHR and many believe it is underpowered. The 2.4L four puts out ~170 hp, more than enough as a daily driver. The SS version with its 240hp turbo has had issues. The HHR is also scheduled to be discontinued in 2011. The replacement for the HHR is the Equinox, which is ~$5000 more than an equally equipped HHR.

Since the government bailed out these failing auto giants, these two will do whatever and expect another bail out when their new designs don't sell.

The PT Cruiser was originally part of a plan. This plan was to make, along with the Prowler, (remember those) Plymouth into a "fun retro" division for Chrysler.

However, the plan was shelved when Chrysler discontinued Plymouth leaving the PT without a home, along with the Voyager van.

Both of them were "moved" to Chrysler where they stayed until they were discontinued. (I think the Chrysler Voyager Van is still available though.)

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 07-09-2010).]

Remember the Pronto Spyder... mid-engine, plastic paneled body... sigh... I would have bought one.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/...s/pronto-spyder.html

J.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: The PT Cruiser was originally part of a plan. This plan was to make, along with the Prowler, (remember those) Plymouth into a "fun retro" division for Chrysler. However, the plan was shelved when Chrysler discontinued Plymouth leaving the PT without a home, along with the Voyager van. Both of them were "moved" to Chrysler where they stayed until they were discontinued. (I think the Chrysler Voyager Van is still available though.)

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 07-09-2010).]

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: Remember the Pronto Spyder... mid-engine, plastic paneled body... sigh... I would have bought one. http://www.allpar.com/cars/...s/pronto-spyder.html

Very Porsche-like. I think it looks better than the Solstice.

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the other part of the PT Cruiser "plan" was the fact that it was considered a Truck, do to its cargo capacity, and at the time, "average fleet fuel economy" was a standard for automakers, and the PT Cruiser significantly raised the average fuel economy, so chrysler could get away with making a V10 fuel hog truck, while maintaining a reasonable fleet average.
basicly it is a rebodied Neon

That is too bad. All they had to do was put their 3.5 V6 in the car and it would have had all the power it needed.

The Prowler had the same problem, not enough power. It looked like a hot rod but didn't have the power to back up the looks.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: That is too bad. All they had to do was put their 3.5 V6 in the car and it would have had all the power it needed. The Prowler had the same problem, not enough power. It looked like a hot rod but didn't have the power to back up the looks.

not to mention the fact that it also had an auto tranny with the manual shift option.... lame.... beautiful car otherwise.

The Chrysler ' Voyager ' is called the Town & Country. Dodge calls theirs the Caravan still.

After the demise of Plymouth, the Voyager was sold as a Chrysler for a few years as a low-cost alternative to the T&C.

I've had my Cruiser for 9 years now and it has been one of the best vehicles I've ever had. Hardly any repair bills in 9 years (some suspension components). But the best part is how much it can carry. For a car that is shorter than a Neon you can load up 2 dozen 8' long 2x4's and still close the back hatch. It actually has enough room in the back for 3 adults to sit comfortably. Take out the rear seats and fit an amazing amount of stuff in it. I never found it as underpowered as most people claim. Hope to get several more years out of it. The dealer I bought it from says they don't like them since they rarely come in for repairs.

Rick
edit to add -- 154,000 miles on it

[This message has been edited by couldahadaV8 (edited 07-09-2010).]

For reals this time? The PT has died so many deaths, it doesn't seem believable anymore. Of course, that doesn't mean that it isn't far past it's due to be canceled. About 5 years too late, if you ask my opinion. Chrysler never really treated the car very well, choosing to mass market a decontented car for fleets instead of being the boutique style car that was planned for Plymouth. It is true that the original Stratus sourced 2.4l na was a bit slow in the acceleration department, the High Output Turbo was a tire burner. At 78k miles, I have only had to have a cam position sensor replaced under warranty as the extent of unscheduled maintenance.

While the current car is now a relic compare to newer cars, I think it would be negligent to completely give up on the Cruiser nameplate. It would be interesting to see what a Fiat or Lancia based Cruiser would look like.