# The Chrysler PT Cruiser -- Champ or Chump? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373 "2000-08-07T03:48:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/1 "2000-08-07T03:48:59Z")
Satan’s [thread about what kind of car to buy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=33529) brings me to this car: **the Chrysler PT Cruiser**. If you haven’t seen it, go to the [official Web site](http://www.chryslercars.com/pt_cruiser/) to get a gander. You might have seen these things cruising down your neighborhood already. If you ask ME, this thing is ugly. No no, not just ugly. _DOG UGLY_. I wouldn’t be caught dead in that thing. So what do you think – champ or chump? I say CHUMP! And I say to Chrysler, “dump that chump!” ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/2 "2000-08-07T03:55:06Z")
Agreed. Chump. I think they are ugly and I wouldn’t take one if you gave it to me. Okay, I would. But I’d use it as a trade in for a different car. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/3 "2000-08-07T03:57:23Z")
Sorry, but I love it. I love the way it looks. I like that vaguely 40’s look. If I were on a position to buy a new car, and didn’t need something for hauling around the kids, that’s what I would buy. I don’t even know how much it costs. I want one!!! Oh, well, to each his own… ---
**Author:** ![steeljaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@steeljaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steeljaw)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/4 "2000-08-07T04:02:54Z")
I’m not particularly fond of the car. But it is a very well priced automobile. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/5 "2000-08-07T04:05:37Z")
My mom works at a Chrysler dealership, and they had people putting down $2000 deposits to wait FOUR months and up for one of these. I think they’re kinda nifty looking, though they have zero pickup. –tygre ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/6 "2000-08-07T06:22:12Z")
Let me explain. The automakers can’t give stationwagons away while SUVs are selling like hotcakes. And what is an SUV, for 90%+ of those who buy it? A cool-looking, but terribly ineffeciant and expensive stationwagon. Right? So, what is the Cruiser? A cool-looking stationwagon, that is neither inefficiant or expensive. I think it is a great idea, and hope it starts a trend. Millions of pounds less pollutants is a GOOD thing. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/7 "2000-08-07T06:25:15Z")
I think it looks like a hot rod hearse (but I understand I am in the minority; waiting for a right home the other day one drove by and every other man in line started drooling). The Toyota Echo is also a horrible piece of aesthetics. ---
**Author:** ![DeathLlama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DeathLlama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeathLlama)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/8 "2000-08-07T06:34:14Z")
I think it’s kinda cool looking most of the time (and then sometimes I get a little queezy), but from everything I’ve read, it really really needs more power. But then again, doesn’t everything? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/9 "2000-08-07T08:28:46Z")
I think it’s one of the best looking cars that has come out of the US in the past 10 years! Well, together with the [Plymouth Prowler](http://www.plymouthcars.com/prowler/img/car.gif). I’m taking a test drive in a few weeks time, although I have already been told I’ll be disapointed by the road holding. I told the dealer I currently drive a Peugeot 306, and he admitted the PT wouldn’t impress me as a well handling car then. But still, I love the looks. We’ll see how I like it! ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Fortune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Commander\_Fortune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Fortune)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/10 "2000-08-07T11:36:30Z")
I think it’s a really nice looking car. Too bad it’s a 4-cylinder engine. It should have 6. ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/11 "2000-08-07T12:46:21Z")
I thought it was a real CHUMP, till I had a good look inside. TONS of cargo space, beautiful detailing - the kind I havnt seen for years. It would be the perfect car for someone like me: working single mother of 2, who goes camping and has gear to haul. I vote CHAMP. (but it does look like a hearse for midgets) ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/12 "2000-08-07T12:49:30Z")
Ugh, I had forgotten about the Prowler. Now that is a hideous car! Methinks they are trying too hard to look cool. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/13 "2000-08-07T13:36:54Z")
This appears to be one of those things that has no middle ground–people either love it or hate it. My husband came across the website months ago and put his name in. We should get it in a couple weeks. I’ll let you know how it runs and anything else you might be interested in. I like its looks–I like that retro feeling. Hearse? For midgets? Hahaha…cool. struuter ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/14 "2000-08-07T13:49:15Z")
I think it’s a cool looking car, but a friend of mine told me that it comes in one color only (purple), and that a lot of people have them painted first thing. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/15 "2000-08-07T13:51:41Z")
Well, over here, it comes in about ten colours, I think. The Purple is one of them. The ones I’ve seen on the road are dark blue and silver, so far. ---
**Author:** ![Shaky\_Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@Shaky\_Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shaky_Jake)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/16 "2000-08-07T14:06:03Z")
I think it’s a great looking car. As previously stated, it’s kind of 40ish with a panel truck look. It’s roomy, it has a lot of nice features, and it’s reasonably priced. As also noted, it is underpowered. Chrysler is, however, coming out with a blown version for the 2002 model year. This should address the power issue, and one would hope the hoopla and price extortion would have abated by then. I’ll get one, but I think I’ll wait. Shaky Jake ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/17 "2000-08-07T14:11:00Z")
**Coldfire** I think if I had one, I would want it in a medium beige. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/18 "2000-08-07T14:29:28Z")
It doesn’t come in beige, Libertarian. I did some research: click [here](http://www.chryslercars.com/pt_cruiser/pt_html/design/frameset_pt_colors.html) to see the available colours. Some are really neat! I like it in silver, blue and black, although I must say the taupe looks nice too. Dammit, I don’t even need a new car. But this thing has appealed to me since I first saw it! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/19 "2000-08-07T14:39:47Z")
I want either Aquamarine or Patriot Blue! ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2000, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373/20 "2000-08-07T15:00:30Z")
**Libertarian** wrote: I think if I had one, I would want it in a medium beige. I think if I had one, I would want it to be 6-cylinder, longer, made by Subaru, and called an Outback. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-champ-or-chump/28373.md?page=2)