Is the 2009 PT cruiser a good car?

Question 1
Is the 2009 PT cruiser a good car?...  On the website it seems perfect for me but is it a good car that wont break down, wont waste gas, and is just a fun car? I cant think of any good car that's inexpensive but has good features like this car. Ive been getting a lot of mix reviews like people say they love it and others say they hate it sooo yea! Thanks:)

Answers
1)   no lol - *Michael*

2)   No PT cruiser is a good car. - Hallie

3)   personally i dont like them at all. you can find the same if not better features in a better car for cheaper probably. PT cruisers are for dikes. no offense. - Anthony G

4)   I believe they are not making them any more. Need I say more? - Bobo

5)   You want the truth? No.

There are much better cars out there. The PT Cruiser is very unreliable - go on eopinions.com and read reviews about it. It looks fun, but it's really just a cheap Chrysler product.
I remember a few years back, they were selling PT Cruisers for $7-8,000 Brand New in Florida.
So unless you can get such a good deal on them, there are much better, and more reliable products in this class.
Look into a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.
But, if you must stick with domestic, go with a GM (General Motors) car like Chevy or Pontiac.
At least these have better reliability and build quality.

Chrysler is just a bad car in general - poor reliability, poorly built, and just doesn't last long and breaks down often. I've heard the power steering go on PT Cruisers after just 30,000 miles!

So my advice, do your research. - Tony

6)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carinsurance.yoll.net - David

7)   You actually answered your own question. The thing about the PT cruiser is it is all about the style of the vehicle. That doesn't take away that it is indeed a fun and versatile vehicle. Personally I love my 2002, that has just hit 99000!

As far as some of the other answers there are plenty of opinion sites out there, and they are all full of people complaining about one thing or the other. That's not to discredit them, but look at some of the "Cruiser" fan sites as well. This way you'll have the info you'll need to make that decision. As far as them stopping production. This really has to do with styling as well. With the Cruisers selling point being retro, you have to question where would they go from there. As you know other manufacturers of retro styled vehicles have also ended production on those vehicles. Look around though you still see plenty of Cruisers and those other retro styled cars still out on the road.

As far as the guy pointing out advertised $8000 cruisers etc...Key word there is advertised, I think we all know that scheme.

So if you like the styling of the Cruiser, and want a versatile vehicle, I say go for it. - Wendell


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Question 2
Problems shifting in to drive sometimes. 1999 chrysler town & Country LXI. Any ideas?...  When shifting gear shift in to drive, sometimes it does not engage. I put back into park or neutral and then shift back to drive and it works. Happening more often now. Does it sound like the computer chip? Or?

Answers
1)   i wonder if u just need some trans fluid in it......check that out. - POKE

2)   ALL transmissions will eventually need service--simply go to a good transmission shop or the dealer and have this taken care of. There are hundreds of parts in your transmission--no one can tell what the problem is without disassembling the unit. It won't get better by itself--you need a good shop or the dealer for this problem. - fire_inur_eyes

3)   I'd want to have a transmission shop perform a diagnostic scan test on that vehicle but I'd also keep in mind that the transmission fluid and filter can be dirty or the chemicals inside the transmission fluids can wear out and that the fluid has to have a certain amount of different assorted pressures in order for the transmission to work right.So if you've not changed the transmission fluid or filter on it in the last 3 to 5 years I'd start with changing it first off.

You can try disconnecting the battery for a good 10 to 20 mins and then reconnect it and see how the transmission shifts then and if it seems to work better try another transmission control module=TCM but it could mean the internal module inside the transmission could require servicing or replacement.Note sometimes the solenoid pack that has the pressure switches in it and the module an become dirty.


Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way low fluid levels and faulty wiring to the pressure switches and solenoids can cause such problems and once you change the fluid be sure to have the transmission module put into the learning mode. - helpful bob


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Question 3
How much does it cost to fix a broken timing belt on a 2002 PT cruiser?...  

Answers
1)   It all depends on a few different scenarios. It is possible that the valves were bent which means the cylinder head has to come off and sent to a machine shop. 8-10hrs labor plus parts. Belt and tensioner should be around 150.00 plus 4-6hrs labor. So anywhere from 600.00 to 1800.00 - Gregory A

2)   It depends. The 2.4L engine is a semi-interference motor and the intake valves may hit the tops of the pistons when the belt breaks while the engine is running. If the valves are ok, then the repair is probably going to cost around $600-800 dollars to replace the timing belt, seals, and the water pump (most techs will replace the water pump at this time because if it leaks later, you are going to have to pay almost the same amount to change the water pump ! ). If the head needs new valves or worse a head, the costs go up by $400 to 800. Good luck. - C-Tech

3)   We've seen quotes for timing belt replacement between $250-$750, depending on how much labor is involved (based on the make of the car) and the hourly labor rate
Replacing timing belts can take as few as two hours and as many as six hours. We've seen hourly labor quotes from $40 an hour where there is a low cost of living, to over $110-$150 an hour at dealerships in urban areas. In the , we've seen ordinary repair shops with rates from $55-$80 an hour, and ordinary dealerships with rates of $80-$90 and to the to tec that works for dodge dealer that the dealers rates dont go to the dealer to get your pt cruiser fixed they will rip you off and evey one knows dealer are much higher then any one i have 2003 pt cruiser and and it was $250 - kingtiger_6


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Question 4
Car wont start up anymore, was stranded for 5 hours!!!!.. any reasons as to why?...  On my way home from eating out at a dinner with my boyfriend, I started to have car trouble. I was driving and then all of a sudden, a light came out (wasn't sure if it was my engine light or oil light\I pulled to a gas station to park, but before I could, my car shut off automatically. The battery was runnign fine because my lights came on (oil light and engine light) shortly after that happened, I tried to start the car up, but no go. I waiting 20 mins, and tried, and it still wouldn't start. Finally, I stopped (didn't want to do anymore further damage) and just called my tow truck company. What could of went wrong with my car? It would start up, so I KNOW ITS BAD!... The weird part about thsi is that I havent had any trouble prior to what happened today... it's as if it happened out of no where. You think maybe its the spark plugs? Or maybe the timing belt!?!? I'm a college student and I need my car to go back and forward to school and work = ( I drive a 2001 PT Cruiser.

Help = [[[[[C

Answers
1)   kinda hard to go off your description since its kinda vague as far as symptoms go, my guess is that its probably something electrical and hopefully minor, could be that you ran low on oil and your engine shut off because of a lack of oil pressure too. - dead eye

2)   Did you look at the gas gage.It could be out of gas. - Willfred Mont

3)   spark plugs have nothing to do with this.hang on must read this again.timing belt skipped a couple of teeth?possible. what car how many miles-km do you have?could be something as small as a positive. wire grounding out.vapor lock?little more info/make model year-someone will come up with an answer. - Alexander


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Question 5
1995 plymouth neon...will it make the trip?...  i have a 1995 plymouth neon is GREAT condition...there is nothing mechanically wrong with it. And i have family in TN so there having a family reunion but i dont have the money to rent a car...do you think it could make a 8 year drive?
haha im sorry 8 hour drive oopps

Answers
1)   8 year drive O.o..... i dont think so :O - oX.CoOkiE mOnStEr.Xo *Back Up*

2)   I do not know where you are located, but if it takes 8 years to drive to TN, you should consider flying.

I know you meant 8 hours and am just teasing you. If the car is in good condition, I see no reason that it should not be able to make the trip safely. Have the fluid levels checked, along with the belts, hoses and tires, and if the car checks out, enjoy the trip.

I have driven older cars on longer trips many times - fire4511

3)   I have a 1995 Neon with 185000 miles on it and is still going strong. If you trust the car I don't see any reason it wouldn't make the trip.With any car mechanical break downs do occur so it is really your call. I would have the oil changed and all fluid levels and tire pressures checked before you hit the road.Have a safe trip.( has the timing belt ever been changed?) - Gregory A


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