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Chrysler PT Cruiser (2005 and earlier) - READ ONLY

879 messages,  Last post on Oct 14, 2006 at 10:08 AM

You are in the Chrysler PT Cruiser Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler PT Cruiser, Wagon

Messages Page 83 of 88

#820 of 879 2005 PT CRUISER DISCOUNTS by frenchcar

Jul 23, 2004 (9:46 pm)

I didnt know the 05 models were out yet but here in Tucson one of the Chrysler dealers had a big ad this morning and said they had 6 of the 2005 Base models with 5 speed for sale at $12,380 with $6000 in discounts off the $18,380 List. WOW, this shocks me so early in the model year. They have many others at much higher prices and smaller discounts. I wonder if these 6 have miles on them as last year they had a bunch at cheap prices that had been used slightly at a big Golf Tournament. Any one else seen anything similar to this?

#821 of 879 Yes, by boaz47

Jul 26, 2004 (1:59 pm)

Several dealerships in our area, Southern California, have adds very much like you have shared with us. The base model with steel wheels and hub caps has been running about 15k out the door for some time. The new PT Convertible is the draw right now but anyone interested in a New Base PT is in real luck. A large dealership should be able to get someone into a PT for about 14k for a base model to 26k For a loaded turbo Convertible and everything in between.

#822 of 879 Black Tape on Wires by georgia00

Aug 10, 2004 (6:52 am)

I was looking at buying a PT Cruiser about one month ago. I also checked out the engine since I had heard a lot of people say the engine space was cramped. Can someone tell me why there is so much black tape holding the various wires/cables together? I have owned Toyotas and Mazdas but have never noticed anything like this on their engines. Is this a trademark of Chrysler -- using the black electrical tape on the engine wires?

#823 of 879 No black electrical tape on mine... by micweb

Aug 10, 2004 (9:12 am)

#824 of 879 Re: No black electrical tape on mine... [micweb] by georgia00

Aug 10, 2004 (10:21 am)

Replying to: micweb (Aug 10, 2004 9:12 am)
This was on a 2004 model. What model is yours? I was thinking about buying the car but when I looked under the hood, I was concerned about the way some of the wires were attached/routed through the maze of the engine with the black tape instead of using a clamp, etc. I only looked under the hood of one car.

#825 of 879 2004...Check some more 2004's, sounds like... by micweb

Aug 10, 2004 (3:03 pm)

..dealer mischief. Chrysler doesn't use no steenkin' electrical tape. Just the usual plastic clamps etc.

#826 of 879 Re: Black Tape on Wires [georgia00] by fndlyfmrflyr

Aug 10, 2004 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: georgia00 (Aug 10, 2004 6:52 am)
My Cruiser has black tape around some wires - just like my MDX and Avalon. There is plenty on all three cars.
 
Yes, the engine space is tight on a Cruiser, but does that matter? Routine service items are not a problem to reach.

#827 of 879 Re: Black Tape on Wires [fndlyfmrflyr] by georgia00

Aug 11, 2004 (7:15 am)

Replying to: fndlyfmrflyr (Aug 10, 2004 4:50 pm)
What model year is your cruiser? What kind of highway gas mileage are you getting? Do all PT Crusiers require Premium gas or is just the GT Turbo models?
 
I was surprised to read that the Avalon had black tape on some wires. I have a Camry and it does not have any.
 
Thanks.

#828 of 879 response to 827 by fndlyfmrflyr

Aug 11, 2004 (11:14 am)

My Cruiser is an 03 GT automatic. Mpg is rather poor for a small car. I keep a log and over the two years I have owned the car overall mpg is about 18. Freeway speeds are very high around here (75+) and A/C is used year round, so my highway mpg may be significantly less than others see. The norm is in the 22-23 range, though I have seen as high as 25. I rented a new Cruiser while on a trip (rented at EWR) last year a found the non turbo got better mpg, but that was checked only for a couple of tanks and the speeds, even on the NJ Turnpike, were much lower than around here. In addition there was no A/C use.
 
You can run a turbo on regular, but performance and mpg will be reduced. If you are concerned about the extra cost of using premium instead of regular you are looking at the wrong car. Consider this: If you drive 18,000 miles per year you would use 1000 gallons of gasoline, based on the mpg my Cruiser gives for my combination of near gridlock and high speed driving. The difference in cost for a year by using regular, if one can get the same mpg on regular as with premium, is just $200.
 
Based on testing I did with another car that has the recommendation to use premium, running regular instead of premium reduced mpg by 8%, showing there was essentially no dollar saving using regular. Performance was reduced using regular, so using regular instead of premium was a net negative.
 
We like our Cruiser very much, but don't use it for trips. It is used locally, with an occasional freeway drive of not over 75 miles one way. We did try it for a 250 mile drive and found the seats comfortable, and the ride okay too.

#829 of 879 A Non Turbo by boaz47

Nov 23, 2004 (6:59 pm)

PT with a manual is quite capable of getting a 25 MPG average. Mine has a Cat back, K&N and TB spacer and I get 24 MPG day in and day out going up and down the mountain from Lake Arrowhead to San Bernardino. That is a 3500 foot climb every day. However if have to remember to keep my foot out of it or it drops to 22 MPG. Shifting at 4000 rpm just to hear the exhaust is not a good method of fuel conservation.

Messages Page 83 of 88

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