Over 1450 comprehensive car reviews in Honestjohn's Car-by-Car Breakdown. What's good, what's bad and what to watch out for. The full story on all popular models on sale in the UK since 1990.

Chrysler PT Cruiser (2000 - )

What's Good

Brave, retro-styled MPV from the people who brought you the Prowler. 4,288mm long by 1,704mm wide. Based on Neon with better rear suspension, stronger chain-cam 140 bhp engine and practical interior that can even take surf boards. Bigger success than VW Beetle in USA. Short-throw 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto. Originally practical with big, strong, impact-absorbing black bumpers, removable rear seats, three proper rear belts and plenty of luggage space. Decent ride and handling. All models have a/c and six-speaker radio/cassette/CD player.

For 2002 Mercedes 2.2 CRD chain-cam diesel engine with 121bhp and 300Nm (221 lb ft) torque which does 0-60 in 11.8 seconds and 114mph.

Later, Street Cruiser Series 1 in Inca Gold, with 16 inch chrome wheels and pearl beige leather interior, listed at £17,775 for the manual and £18,575 with Autostick electric clutch. (Manual C02: 196g/km; auto: 232g/km).

2.2 CRD much torquier than standard petrol 2.0 litre: goes and cruises better.

New 2.4 petrol engine in UK from December 2004, develops 143bhp and 158lb ft torque giving car top speed of 121 and 0-60 of 10.3 seconds.

Prices start at a reasonable £12,995 for the Classic, rising through £14,520 for the Touring to £16,020 for the Limited. 2.4GT manual costs £14,995.

New engines and facelift from November 2005: Power hike to 150hp for 2.2-litre CRD.

2005 on the road prices started at £12,995 for the 2.4 manual and £15,325 for the automatic. Prices for the diesel manual start at £14,225.

Chrysler cars had 6th lowest average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 64.29 v/s lowest 31.93) Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk

Road test original 2001 2.0 manual at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=11

More at www.chrysler.co.uk

Last Updated 17-2-2007

What's Bad

Not everyone goes for the styling.

Handling seems fine at first on smooth roads but gets ragged on difficult corners.

Performance hampered by weight of body and 2.0 petrol model only does 28mpg.

Retro styling might itself date in a few years time.

Tough black plastic bumpers discarded in favour of colour-coded bumpers for 2002.

CRD diesel prices started at a huge £17,495, but were on offer at much less by late 2002 and new diesel starter price of £15,495 from 2003.

Three star 2003 NCAP crash test rating.

Rated one of the most expensive medium cars to run in 2003 Which survey.

Wordwide production increased from 180,000 of Mexican plant by using Austrian plant for Europe, bringing total capacity to 310,000 a year. But by mid 2004 oversupply meant Austrian plant no longer needed.

What to Watch Out For

Reports of leaks from a/c systems (important to use every week all year round) or you could face a £1,000 bill.

Leaks from power steering racks.

Seems to be a problem of front wishbone bushes wearing prematurely.

On 2.2 CRD, clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder are prone to losing pressure and can need replacing as often as every year.

Chromed alloys corrode and lose tyre pressure. Are unrepairable and a new set is £2,000, so best to switch to aftermarket wheels (have to tell your insurer).

On 2.4 engine cylinder head my not be sufficiently torqued down and head gasket may develop oil leaks.

If lights brighten then dim according to engine revs, can normally be cured by a dealer software upgrade

Recalls

August 2002: USA recall of PT Cruisers built in 2001 and 2002 to check for possibility of fuel pump leak after an accident. In UK cars to have extra seal fitted around pump. DaimlerChrysler Technical Service Bulletin (number 21-006-01) dated 29 June 2001 applicable to ALL vehicles equipped with Chrysler automatic transmissions (except 1999 and earlier minivans) states "A new transmission fluid (ATF+4 Type 9602) has been developed and is being used as factory fill for all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions. Until now, vehicles originally filled with ATF+2 or ATF+3 were to be serviced with ATF+3. Effective immediately, it is recommended that all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions (except for 1999 and earlier minivans) be serviced with ATF+4." 6/1/2003: Fuel pump module mounting may leak if car is involved in a rollover collision. Install secondary seal over fuel pump module. 6-6-2004: "Auburn Hills, Michigan-AP) -- DaimlerChrysler is recalling more than 438,000 PT Cruisers because of a flaw that can cause a fire under the hood. A DaimlerChrysler spokeswoman says there have been nine reports of fires but no injuries or deaths. The recall covers P-T Cruisers from model years 2001 to 2005. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a high-pressure power steering hose can loosen and come into contact with other parts of the vehicle. If the hose is punctured and power steering fuel leaks out, a fire can start." Als described as "Risk of fire. A fuel line jumper tube may chafe against the throttle cable; chafing of the fuel line may result in a fuel leak over time and can
cause fire."