PT Cruiser????

I am thinking of buying a PT Cruiser. I have looked at used and new.
The used range from 01-05, 15,000-125,000 miles. I have looked at
Limited, Touring, ??? I need an automatic. Most used ones I see run
about $9,500-9,995, 55,000-99,000 miles, regardless of year. Any
suggestions of what
I would get the most miles and best service from?
Thanks
William

 

The limited will give you the best combination of features, best seats,
suspension, sunroof, etc. Any year is good, just avoid the early 2001's
built before Aug of 2000 if you want the improved production run with the 4
window switches on the dash. Just pop on good tires and ceramic pads in the
front, and make sure oil changes were done and the right transmission fluid
was used, and the proper coolant was used, and you are good to go. All and
all, a very reliable vehicle with the coolant system the weak link on some
early year samples. Bushings for the sway bars also are an issue but are
easy to replace.

Richard.

 

Follow what Richard said but let me add one more thing. The 2001 model run
(late ones with 4 window switches on the dash) have more items as stock than
the following years. In particular the Limited Editions. After 2001,
Chrysler started removing items to cut expenses. So a 2003 or 2004 Limited
has fewer luxuries and mechanical features than a 2001 Limited Edition.

=============

 

Thanks Richard and Copper Top, the info was what I needed. I think I
found the right PT. It is a 2003 Limiter, 46,000 miles, Candy Apple
Red, certified with warranty.
Thank You
simjack

 

The actual name of that color is "Inferno Red". It's a 3 step process with
a gold undercoat and was a $250 option on a PT.

==================

 

Make sure you get ALL the keys the owner had. The dealer wants $145 for a
single new key for my 2006 PT Cruiser.

 

The reason they are expensive is that the keys are a part of the theft
prevention system. There is a transponder built in to the key, and if
the correct key isn't in the iginition, the engine may start, but it
will stop in something like 10 seconds.

No amount of hot-wiring will make the car go. The computer must "see"
the correct transponder key. Nevertheless, $145 seems ridiculously
high.

The important thing is to have at least two dealer programmed keys.
Once you have two of them, you can buy blanks on E-Bay for under $15
(http://tinyurl.com/kvrh5) and program them yourself by following these
instructions. It sounds complicated, but if you just follow the
instructions, anyone can do it.

Add Duplicate Key - Must have two programmed Sentry Keys

1. Insert one of the two valid keys into the ignition lock and turn to
the ON (RUN) position.

2. After the key has been in the ON position for at least five seconds,
but no more than 15 seconds turn the lock back to OFF.

3. Remove the key and insert the second (already valid) key and turn to
the ON position within 15 seconds. (The second key must not be the same
as the first key.)

4. A theft alarm light should illuminate after ten seconds and a single
chime sound will indicate entry into the "Customer Programming Mode".

5. Turn the key to the OFF position within 60 seconds and remove the
valid key.

6. Insert a new key and turn to the ON position.

7. After approximately ten seconds, a single chime will sound and the
theft alarm light will stop. Wait five seconds and turn to the OFF
position.

 

Yep/\/\/\/\you are right on about the keys. Not all of the PT's have
the Sentry keys but most do especially the higher end models. If the
head of the key is grey, it has it.

BTW, my wife's friend is selling her PT cruiser limited conv. if
anyone know anyone in central Ohio looking for one. It has about 13k
miles on it and is a 2005.

 

If it is a key with the FOB built in that is the same price
here.$142.00 plus programming



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Yep. There are 3 basic keys that the newer DCX vehicles have. One is
the basic, black headed key that's nothing special. Another looks like
the black headed key but is grey and thicker. The 3rd one has the
keyless entry remote built inside it.

 

The key for my 2006 PT Cruiser has the built in remote entry electronics.
That is the $145 key.

The one on the eBay site looks closer to the key used with my 2000 3ooM.

Steve