My parents have an '03. They really like it. Mom had to have an automatic, but it seems plenty quick still. My father tried to grainger it but it won't work on it, trips CEL at part throttle boost. I think the 180hp version is just lacking the intercooler, I don't know for sure.
PT Cruiser Turbo thoughts?
I think it might be time for a new (or newer car). The wife’s Stratus has over 185,000 mile and seems like it might be on it last gear (transmission feels funny).
Been thinking about a PT Cruiser with the 180 hp turbo and auto. My wife doesn’t like manuals and she will be the primary driver. I would love to step up to the 220 hp HO, but I don’t think it will fit in the budget.
So, just curious what the differences between the 180 hp turbo and 220 hp HO are. Could I upgrade later? How about the transmission? Are the autos the same between the standard and HO turbos?
Are the Friends and Family deals still out there?
Anybody have any input on the PT Turbos?
Thanks.
Dion Ricketts
Been thinking about a PT Cruiser with the 180 hp turbo and auto. My wife doesn’t like manuals and she will be the primary driver. I would love to step up to the 220 hp HO, but I don’t think it will fit in the budget.
So, just curious what the differences between the 180 hp turbo and 220 hp HO are. Could I upgrade later? How about the transmission? Are the autos the same between the standard and HO turbos?
Are the Friends and Family deals still out there?
Anybody have any input on the PT Turbos?
Thanks.
Dion Ricketts
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
both versions have the i/c on them. While I'm not sure I think it's all in the electronics that limits hp. I don't know about the trannies though.
I would love to have a PT Turbo in either HP offering. In fact, I hope to get one in that beautiful bright blue or one of the limited edition and numbered Dream Cruisers - Tangerine Orange with some nice chrome touches. I have test driven a few in both manual and auto with auto stick and they feel pretty potent. Though I have not tried the 180 HP version. I heard the 180 HP version was non-intercooled. So I would guess the IC probably plays a part in that as well as some boost limitation in the callibration.
Im pretty sure that if you buy the Mopar S1 and add it to the 180 HP PT cruiser, you will bump up to 240 hp.
Parents have an 04 Dream Cruizer edition (the orange one). Nice ride, comfy for the most part. 17" rims w/ lo-pro tires and potholes DO NOT mix at 75 MPH.
Difference:
Automatic: 180 HP
Manual and Autostick: 220 HP.
I think its electronically limited due to the trans HP limits.
Difference:
Automatic: 180 HP
Manual and Autostick: 220 HP.
I think its electronically limited due to the trans HP limits.
They are fast and smooth, with deep discounts. Hard to go wrong. They even ride much better on the highway than I thought, and are very quiet.
If I was going to buy a new mopar I think the GT Cruiser would be it.... you should ask some people here on the boards if they still have any friends and family discounts left over.... When it comes time for me to get one I will deffinatly asking around here for a hook up
I did ask (bottom of my post).juxsa said:If I was going to buy a new mopar I think the GT Cruiser would be it.... you should ask some people here on the boards if they still have any friends and family discounts left over.... When it comes time for me to get one I will deffinatly asking around here for a hook up
I would love a GT, but without a discount they are out of my range.
Did drive the 180 hp Limited Edition today. Seemed repectable. I bet the 220 hp one is a blast. Wife even liked it. If we can get the financing in order, we may just drive one home.
BTW, one thing I did notice about the auto's is that the GT has a 2.9 final drive ratio while the 180 hp has a 2.8 fdr. Don't know about the strength of the 180 hp unit, but would rather not blow it out the bottom. That's why I was hoping the auto's for both would be the same. Didn't notice an autostick position on the one we drove, so my bet is that the 180 hp auto is a different (read: weaker) unit.
Wish they had an auto option on the SRT-4. Pretty sure I could get the wife to go for that, plus the SRT-4's I saw last weekend are about $2000 less than the 180 hp Cruisers we looked at today.
Thanks for the input.
BTW, the 180 hp ones are intercooled. Looked at it myself today. In fact, it didn't look to be any smaller than an SRT-4 one, but then I didn't have one to compare to either.
Just an FYI.
Just an FYI.
My mom bought an 03 or 04 can't remember GT auto a couple months ago. I've only driven it once and been in it twice but it impressed me. I was expecting it to be all cheap and crappy but it was actually pretty nice. Only thing that really bugged me is the power windows for the back seat are mounted on the back of the console which seems kind of stupid. Alot roomier then I expected too.
Go for the 220! You'll never notice the payment difference as much as the fun difference!
PT Gt
I have an 03 GT 5spd
If your wife can drive a manual, go try one for a day, dealer should let borrow one to test for a few hours. My wife prefers a standard anyway and drives our 5 spd Daytonas and Shadow, so no biggie. I am not a fan of Mopars 41TE trannys and would not want the hastles when they fail, so I would only by a 5 spd.
The clutch on the PT is hydraulic so it doesnt have the pedal effort if that is what bothers your wife. The gate is conventional with reverse up and to the left of 1st gear with no lock out but does have a bell to tell you your in reverse. It shifts pretty good. Transmission is a Getrag from Gremany. PT has the Equal length half shafts.
Car is very versatile and there is no end to all the decorative junk you can buy for them to dress them up. Our is black with gray leather, sunroof, power windows, 6disc CD, pwr locks, heated seats and has the 17" Chrome wheels. The stock good years suck, they will wear out within 20K miles. Just put new 50/215/17 Yokohamas on it, rides nice. Also put the mopar wing, stg 1 kit, and BOV.
I will probably get the SS gas cap and chrome spears(on the lower doors) to dress it up a bit more. I dynoed and got 227WHP and 252 WTQ. Car gets about 25MPG with 80% highway.
The Turbo LIte has the same engine as the GT including the intercooler, Trans does not have the autostick feature. GT gets the better suspension(Tokiko struts/shocks) and 4 wheel discs. Auto trans has autostick in the GT
I believe the sticker is about 26K and invoice around 24K and there is another 2500-3500 in rebates. Dont see why you couldnt deal and get one for 21-22k. Dealers will deal on them.
On the PT sites some claim they have run 14.4 or so some quicker and some not. Oh, insurance should be a lot cheaper than SRT4 since mostly older people tend to buy the PTs, hence they are not getting smashed up at a high rate. Reliability is very good save for the auto transmissions typical of DC 41 TE's.
I have an 03 GT 5spd
If your wife can drive a manual, go try one for a day, dealer should let borrow one to test for a few hours. My wife prefers a standard anyway and drives our 5 spd Daytonas and Shadow, so no biggie. I am not a fan of Mopars 41TE trannys and would not want the hastles when they fail, so I would only by a 5 spd.
The clutch on the PT is hydraulic so it doesnt have the pedal effort if that is what bothers your wife. The gate is conventional with reverse up and to the left of 1st gear with no lock out but does have a bell to tell you your in reverse. It shifts pretty good. Transmission is a Getrag from Gremany. PT has the Equal length half shafts.
Car is very versatile and there is no end to all the decorative junk you can buy for them to dress them up. Our is black with gray leather, sunroof, power windows, 6disc CD, pwr locks, heated seats and has the 17" Chrome wheels. The stock good years suck, they will wear out within 20K miles. Just put new 50/215/17 Yokohamas on it, rides nice. Also put the mopar wing, stg 1 kit, and BOV.
I will probably get the SS gas cap and chrome spears(on the lower doors) to dress it up a bit more. I dynoed and got 227WHP and 252 WTQ. Car gets about 25MPG with 80% highway.
The Turbo LIte has the same engine as the GT including the intercooler, Trans does not have the autostick feature. GT gets the better suspension(Tokiko struts/shocks) and 4 wheel discs. Auto trans has autostick in the GT
I believe the sticker is about 26K and invoice around 24K and there is another 2500-3500 in rebates. Dont see why you couldnt deal and get one for 21-22k. Dealers will deal on them.
On the PT sites some claim they have run 14.4 or so some quicker and some not. Oh, insurance should be a lot cheaper than SRT4 since mostly older people tend to buy the PTs, hence they are not getting smashed up at a high rate. Reliability is very good save for the auto transmissions typical of DC 41 TE's.
My mom has an 03, with auto stick. It will break them loose from a20 mph roll when you stomp it. Very versitile car. Roomy, great gas mpg, handles decent. Sit up high. I love them. I'd buy one but my wife hates them. I might be able to help you get a discount!
I agree with you on that, if you want reliability, buy a stick. I've never felt good about an auto in most anything produced after the '70's, but as my wife doesn't like manuals, it is an auto or nothing. Wish it was just the petal pressure.Turbozcs2003 said:I am not a fan of Mopars 41TE trannys and would not want the hastles when they fail, so I would only by a 5 spd.
The clutch on the PT is hydraulic so it doesnt have the pedal effort if that is what bothers your wife.
the factory computers are different for th h.o., so thats where they limit power and I think the new 05 h.o.'s have a 40te trans
nevermind its the non turbo's
Dion Ricketts said:I agree with you on that, if you want reliability, buy a stick. I've never felt good about an auto in most anything produced after the '70's, but as my wife doesn't like manuals, it is an auto or nothing. Wish it was just the petal pressure.
Man, I am so glad my wife doesnt mind/prefers a stick. Is this next car going to be her primary driver or yours? If it is yours, I would buy the damn stick and tell her to suck it up and learn to shift. Sounds to me, from your description she can drive a stick. Do you/she have a lousy commute in bumper to bumper traffic??
I always choose which cars we buy since I am the sucker who will be wrenching them. Of course we have simliar tastes in cars( PT, Grand Cherokee, Durango, 3 Daytonas, Shadow) and if it is her car, she can pick the color and OK the options. Heck she didnt even drive the Grand Cherokee until the day we picked it up. Of course she drove it home from the dealer with big smile on her face.
I would still go borrow a 5 spd from the dealer and drive it for a day and do a good sell job. The 5spd in them is nice.
wish you luck!
Friends and Family Discount
I would look up John Fleck, our resident engineer at Kokomo plant.
He is a good guy and could help you out if he hasnt used his quota. You might ask him.
he is on the board here as Fleckster
If not, a guy who works with me has a brother in law who works at Belvidere and might be able to help, I could ask.
I would look up John Fleck, our resident engineer at Kokomo plant.
He is a good guy and could help you out if he hasnt used his quota. You might ask him.
he is on the board here as Fleckster
If not, a guy who works with me has a brother in law who works at Belvidere and might be able to help, I could ask.
It would be her primary driver, and she hates sticks because "there is too much to think about". She has driven them, but never gotten comfortable. My daily driver is an '89 Lebaron GTC/T2/555 (Graingered, of course :thumb: ), so I don't have any problem with a manual in any situation. If it was going to be mine, the GT 5 speed would be the only one to look at. Wish they were about 5000 less.Turbozcs2003 said:Man, I am so glad my wife doesnt mind/prefers a stick. Is this next car going to be her primary driver or yours? If it is yours, I would buy the damn stick and tell her to suck it up and learn to shift. Sounds to me, from your description she can drive a stick. Do you/she have a lousy commute in bumper to bumper traffic??
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
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