Comments on: Fiat gives Chrysler PT Cruiser stay of execution

By: gppiscopo

gppiscopo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:53:35 +0000

Here we are … you don’t think …
Fiat can will give Chrysler access to his South America – India – Eastern Europe dealership … Fiat has done this for years selling for low prices aged ( but still attractive ) models that for those people are pretty new …
This way Chrysler can call back to work people and reopen plants …. Good for America untill the new models will be ready for production.

Same will do with other Chrysler models you think are junk … but in some markets will be desireable and luxury cars …

This one of the differences between Fiat and Daimler ( and all the others before ) in the Chrysler draft … Fiat has always defined “Global Strategic Alliance” …

Sorry for my English , but I’m Italian ( can you get the accent even reading ???

Ciao a tutti

By the way:

Check the link

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/fiat-may-bring-chrysler-brands-to-india/64895/on

And think India is a 1 Billion people country with one of the fastest growing economies …

If only 0.1% of that billion people would by a Chrysler is going to be 1.000.000 cars …

Still a stupid idea ?

By: CanadaCraig

CanadaCraig — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:49:57 +0000

Smart move – I say. In fact I DID say this – not too long ago. [That Fiat/Chrysler should stay the execution of the PT Cruiser at least until there's SOMETHING to replace it] Besides – those who refer to the PT as a POS are – in my opinion FULL OF S. Dynamically and mechanically speaking – sure – it’s nothing to write home about – but it’s still an OK car – even after all these years. And if Fiat/Chrysler can keep some Mexican employees working in the meantime – what’s wrong with that?!

By: SomeGreek

SomeGreek — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:25:12 +0000

“… and a Jeep-badged version of the Fiat Panda.”
Come on LLN… Where do you get these stories?

By: sharpie

sharpie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:50:48 +0000

Update the PT Cruiser! I can never understand why the Detroit 3 want to keep changing name. The PT still has some name recognition, much like what Ford learned from dropping the Taurus and Sable. With the small hatch market still pretty hot, build a new PT to rival the Mazda3, Golf / Rabbit and Mini Clubman.

Drop the Calibar name, that never did catch on. But given the PT one shot fame in 1999, I don’t see why they can’t re-invent it. Name recognition is intellectual property, which has values and is an asset!

By: teahead

teahead — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:00:20 +0000

My daily driver is a PT Cruiser GT 5-speed. Handles great w/ST sway bars and Eibach springs.

GOes great too! Also reliable as heck.

True, the non-turbo autos are dogs.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:37:52 +0000

Okay I looked.

A Jeep re-skinned Panda would be worse than the COMAPASS or PATRIOT. At least, those are generally buff machines. I can see a PT Cruiser replacement or turnover being built on it. Frankly, I though it was going to be built on the CALIBER platform.

But seriously, just reduce JEEP down to a few core products and leave it be. The only new vehicles I want to see from JEEP would be than very nice Gladiator truck, and the JEEPSTER. Imagine a real All terrain P/U truck and a dune buggy. The RESCUE is maybe to much right now and the HURRICANE a touch too extreme. Though just one engine and you have and instant Warthog (HALO reference).

Anyway, no JEEP Panda.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:27:55 +0000

olds, Mexican VW’s are worse. I can’t explain why, they just are. I can’t tell you why chicks from Brooklyn perform better blow job then from Queens, they just do.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:09:23 +0000

Mayer is one sick freak. That was hilarious!

Multipla would compete with the Element, though.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:03:59 +0000

Johnny and Big3, I like the PT Cruiser, too. It’s not a high performance vehicle, but for a simple A to B daily driver, I don’t think there is much better. It’s actually a quite engaging little runabout. Mine wasn’t quick by any means, but it was spunky. It was also roomy, held to the road very well (well enough to make many passengers carsick with ease – I have a tendency to do that), and it was just plain fun. No, in terms of performance, it won’t touch an EVO, but then, in terms of price, an EVO can’t compete. And the fuel mileage sucked. But it held up to my style of driving, was fun, comfortable, had some style, and I enjoyed it. And I probably see more PT Cruisers on the road where I live than just about anything else.

I believe that those that bash the PT Cruiser either have never actually driven one or are close minded and only like Lambos, Ferraris, ‘Vettes and tuners. There are other ways to enjoy driving other than racing.

Sure, the PT Cruiser needs something new, but what can you do to it? Panel Wagon? Maybe a small V6 or something. It would be hard to update the PT Cruiser without destroying its identity.

MikLawry hit this on the head, though. CAFE. The trouble is, Chrysler’s line up is so fuel inefficient that the PT Cruiser is their most efficient car, and it’s not very efficient.

But the real story in this article isn’t the PT Cruiser hanging on, it’s the Jeep Panda. WTF? Are they trying to compete with Mini? I really don’t want to know where this atrocity will lead. Frankly, a Jeep based on a Panda scares the hell out of me.

The inverse would be cool, though: a Panda based on a Jeep…

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:21:08 +0000

PT was not a bad car in its time. It sold 1.2 million units. In terms of interior functionability, it still outdistances just about any car on the market.

By: olds307

olds307 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:15:16 +0000

Shaver: Euro VWs are every bit as lousy as Mexican VWs… but you don’t believe me so why am I bothering?

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:31:39 +0000

BUILD THE FIAT MULTIPLA HERE N_O_W!

http://img222.imageshack.us/i/multipla.jpg/

M U L T I P L A ! .. M U L T I P L A ! .. M U L T I P L A ! .. M U L T I P L A !

By: zfenderguy

zfenderguy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:19:33 +0000

Eh, I’m sticking with what I said earlier. Driving impressions are different than bashing / hating and diffrent than justifying a business case. I think the PT Cruiser obviates that statement. With that said, I guess it adds up that Chrysler has been in the crapper for so long that they need to keep that POS around just to meet CAFE and fleet sales numbers. After all, the Caliber was one giant swing and miss.

By: MikLawry

MikLawry — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:09:53 +0000

It amazes me how many smart car guys there are here on this website that cannot figure out something as simple as this. Let me enlighten all of you guys. The PT Cruiser is probably the most fuel efficient vehicle in Chrysler’s lineup today. With that said, if they axe it now, their CAFE standards will be through the roof. However if you keep it around until December 2010, you have exactly 18 months to get the FIAT 500 to the states. All of the Chrysler & GM haters please just stop reading articles that relate to thest companies so that you can keep the few strands of hair you have left in your head. The hating is beyond ridiculous at this point.

By: hangonbig3

hangonbig3 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:41:49 +0000

I fail to understand why all the PT bashing…what are we comparing it to? It is a great car with a lot of utility for the price….go buy your Toyota and stay off the keyboard ! Have seen plenty of these with well over 100k on the clock. After all it is just transportation not a mission statement.

By: sprockkets

sprockkets — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:26:56 +0000

Don’t forget, it’s just a Neon in disguise. Chrysler just can’t let go of it’s worst POS ever!

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:21:06 +0000

I laughed so hard when I read a Jeep-badged Fiat Panda. Has anyone seen the Panda? OMG…

By: iluvamcars

iluvamcars — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:18:45 +0000

They are not keeping it because they see potential in it, they are keeping it to keep the plant going.

By: NRG

NRG — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:16:26 +0000

Chrysler should have made improvements to it over the last few years to help keep sales from sliding so much. It’s too late now and I see no need for Fiat to keep it in production. Makes no sense, unless they are trying to save jobs. Maybe they don’t want to look like the bad guys in laying off workers since they just became the new owners. It would be a bad impression, but it’s not smart to keep the car in production either way.

A redesign of the car would almost be impossible on a car like that. It’s like trying to re-design the New Beetle. How can that be done? Both cars are to unique in their styling for that to happen.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:56:23 +0000

I’ll bet Chysler sales people mutter “what an idiot” each time someone drives off in one of these.

By: shaver

shaver — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:37:45 +0000

So Dec 2010 + 6 months (retool) = FIAT 500 NA release (May 2011) Thats a long 2 yrs away. Will it be redesigned by then? Will the quality disparity be as different as Euro and Mex VW.
As for the Jeep Panda, it better have solid axles and a removable top.

By: zfenderguy

zfenderguy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:25:13 +0000

That car is the worst driving experience I have ever had, bar none. When they try to pawn one of those off on me at the rental counter, I refuse, and would even be willing to opt up to the next level to avoid driving that. How can a car that small handle that bad? Anemic accelleration is one thing, but it handles just like a greyhound bus, the seats are woefully uncomfortable and it’s exceptionally cheap. Whoever buys one of those decade old tall Neons these days must be completely oblivious to every other option on the market.

By: rzegatl

rzegatl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:18:34 +0000

Thank God!! I’ve been wanting to buy one of these for months but they are next to
impossible to find. This will fill some of the backed up demand……..?

By: mulletmaster

mulletmaster — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:05:22 +0000

for this American car rather

By: mulletmaster

mulletmaster — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:04:13 +0000

Yeah, keep the plant in Mexico busy, heaven forbid you have to shudder the Mexico production for the American car.

By: jmstang66

jmstang66 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:02:29 +0000

pt probly wouldnt be that bad, if chrysler would completely redisgn it

By: MercMark

MercMark — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:01:55 +0000

A Fiat jeep made in Mexico, I just puked in my mouth.

By: carstuff

carstuff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:01:10 +0000

This is good news for the plant. Keeps the workers in a job.

I like the ideal of a NEW PT Cruiser based on a Fiat platform to keep the price way down. Yes the current one is OLD but just do a new one on an economical platform and sell it.

By: bigs4610

bigs4610 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:44:56 +0000

wtf they cant even give these things away.

I forget where, but it was someplace local in Michigan.
A ChryCo dealer had a deal that if you paid sticker price for a new truck, they would throw in a used mint condition PT cruiser for a buck.

The PT cruiser is still there.
FAIL

By: livelyjay

livelyjay — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:39:08 +0000

Come on … make Abarth edition PT Cruiser, that will sell like hot cakes.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:21:12 +0000

They make great fleet cars for companies and rental car lots, no joke! They are versatile little buggers and super cheap to build. I still would take one over the Caliber or Compass (ok – maybe not the Patriot). I guess I still hold it close to my heart as waaay back in 2002 it was my first new car. So what if I have had 7 cars since and sold it after 6 months (and it only 800 miles on it- but hey, I made money on it)! That base 2.4L still sucks though, it needs the turbo option.

By: hangonbig3

hangonbig3 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:19:24 +0000

Johnny..Thats just it. Most of the naysayers dont buy and probably never have bought a Chrysler product. I would say it is about time they started living. And you are right it is all about making a profit right now, even if it is not popular with the web elite.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:09:28 +0000

They are keeping the production going because they are planning on building the Alfa Brera on the PT Cruiser platform.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:54:46 +0000

Why the hell not keep building it? The tooling is long, long since paid for so even if you are moving only 2k a month it’s all profit. It just sounds like a good business decision to me. If you hate the PT so much then don’t buy one.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:54:16 +0000

This would be a great car for Fiat to redesign onto a Fiat platform. It would most definitely loose atleast 200 ibs, and the redesign would seriously give it some more marketing power. There’s money to be had in the PT Cruiser name, just not the current model.

Atleast I would rather have a sleek, good redesigned PT Cruiser than a Jeep Panda….

By: DenverGuy217

DenverGuy217 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:47:08 +0000

“selling more than 200,000 units in 2001 alone, but have dropped off dramatically over the past few years.”

I’ll say it’s dropped off a bit. <2,000 month these days. I wonder if they have some decent size fleet order to fill as the reason for keeping this pathetic thing in production or maybe AARP want’s some

By: A4

A4 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:47:07 +0000

That Jeep Panda is going to be an atrocity.

By: KarLoveBoy88

KarLoveBoy88 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:44:57 +0000

What the FVCK is going on in the car world? Who is their right mind sees potential in the PT Cruiser? They’re glory days are long gone Fiat. Please don’t start making stupid decisions. We’ve already had enough disappointments with Daimler Benz.

By: ahnuconun

ahnuconun — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:44:22 +0000

PT Loser needs to die. There is NO way a model should be built for 10 years in this day and age – especially an unsafe piece of crap like this. PLUS, it still looks like a hearse for midgets (according to my wife). BUT: a Jeep-badged Fiat Panda? (shudder) Well, anything’s better than a Compass, I guess.

By: A4

A4 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:39:05 +0000

Jesus, no.