look out PT

I just saw one of those new Chevy HHR jobbies. It's very much the same
concept as the PT, but with a much more comfortable, less "love it or leave
it" look. Less in your face, if you like.

Actually, I thought it looked better in the metal than in pictures or on the
computer. Also the price is considerably lower than a comparably equipped
PT, at least before discounts.

I've seen comments that Chevy was making a mistake by getting into the tall
wagon fad so late, but I predict a winner here. Not sure if that will hurt
the PT, or expand the market for everyone.

I've seen comments on other forums that Chrysler is not planning to restyle
the PT, but phase it out with the introduction of the Caliber, but if the
HHR takes off the way I suspect maybe they'll reconsider.

 

Looks like Bryan Nesbitt was able to further refine his design under GM after he
switched companies. The similarities between these two cars are no mistake at
all.

 

The two new vehicles will replace the Neon, not the PT Cruiser.
Neon replacements, co-designed with Mitsubishi, using the "World
Engine." The Dodge Rebel is the sedan or coupe version, due a year
after the Dodge Caliber, a small SUV with coupe styling. It is expected
to have Volkswagen diesel and Honda CVT options. Visit the relevant
pages for details: Caliber - Rebel. The PT Cruiser, which is on its own
highly modified version of the Neon platform, is likely to move to this
new platform a year or two after the Caliber first comes out, shedding
some weight

 

I read the same material too, but I gather this last statement is
speculation, unless you've seen something recent. I've also heard that the
Dodge Caliber is too similar to the PT for the latter to survive - except
maybe as simply a Chrysler badge of the same vehicle.

 

According to the September 2005 issue of Motor Trend Magazine:
Base PT Cruiser: $14,850
HHR LS:$15,990

The base PT engine is a 2.4L, 150 hp while the HHR's engine is a 2.2L 143
hp engine.

Motor liked the HHR better, but they tested a $24,000 HHR model against a
$19,000 PT Cruiser. If they had spent the same $24,000 on a PT Cruiser GT,
they could have gotten a 230 hp turbo charged engine, along with all the
options that come with the GT.

PT, or expand the market for everyone.

You might have seen comments, but that isn't true.....

 

The PT was never, ever, "based on", or as you put it "highly modified" Neon
platform. Chrysler has always denied this.

 

Not so. The PT Cruiser is put together in Mexico on an active Neon
production line, and the two products share many parts. The industry always
does this to save time and money. But the PT Cruiser is not a Neon, but it
is a close relative.

Richard.

 

I worked for DC at the time of PT introduction, and the engineers
specifically stated IT WAS based on the Neon Platform! Basically a
lengthened chassis (floor pan) Which basically means nothing anyway!
Considering a regular neon chassis does not fit on a PT. It is basically a
computerized CAD engineered streeeetched picture which has a totally diffent
stamping. The similarity to the PT platform is it utilizes the same mounting
points for the chassis to be moved down the assembly line as with the Neon,
so as not to waste time in changing the line over for producing the
different models.

 

Originally posted by Daimler Chrysler Press Release

Dan Knott, Director, Vehicle Development, Small Car Platform Engineering.
"Neon and PT Cruiser are two distinctly different vehicles and you can't
combine or compare the two," Knott said. "They are of two distinctly
different platforms. The reality is the two vehicles share more in process
than parts or design.Much of the early VR technology we used on PT Cruiser
came from knowledge we gained on the 2000 Neon program.We were able to solve
unique issues because of what we learned and that early information sharing
is what saved so much time."

 

I hate it when they don't make fair comparisons.

--
"Now Phoebe Snow direct can go
from thirty-third to Buffalo.
From Broadway bright the tubes run right
Into the Road of Anthracite"
Erie - Lackawanna

 

The final production versions of the next-style PT Cruiser headlamp (US
and Export) I saw earlier this year at the engineering facility of the
Tier-1 who makes them must, then, have been a figment of my imagination.

Or perhaps the comments you saw were uninformed.

 

The first year PT and first year HHR compare in one respect. As much as the
manufacturer touts the low cost base model, I did a search for the HHR in
the local dealerships and found only one that was less than $20,000. Most
of them were in the 22-24K 4 range.

 

nice vehicle
i been seeing them all over and i heard they come with a 5.3 v8 ???which is a
327 ci. engine. ground effects lowered and a v8 can't go wrong in the style
dept.

 

the only thing the neon and the pt share are recycleability content
and yes u will find a few parts the interchange but u can find that on fords
and gm
the recyle content is 78% on the pt

 

No V8 or V6, I think the bigger engine (still 4 cyl)is rated at 174 hp....

 

I'm talking about the headlamps going on the upcoming *restyled* PTC.

 

sure your not talking about the 2006 headlights?

 

well that sucs sorry gm gonna get something else

 

They are a Cobalt with a high roof. That means 4-bangers only.

 

cool, I've also heard rumours now they may just drop the pt cruiser.??