Question on PT Cruiser Bumpers

I just bought a 2004 Purple PT Cruiser Limited Edition with Woody
exterior. My wife would actually like to change the bumpers from the
purple painted enamel bumpers to the dark gray standard bumpers
because she hates the idea of scratching the paint.

How hard (expensive) do you think it would be for me to swap out the
bumpers or front the purple bumpers with some kind of protective
front?

Also, it's been a while since I've had a new car. Is it still
recommended that I not drive the car over 50 MPH for the first 500
miles?

Thanks, Cividale

 

I have a 2001 Purple PT (actually cranberry by dc's name) with the gray
bumper covers

I would like to have PURPLE ONES

you anywhere the coast of oregon?

 

No. Just, during the first 500 miles, you do not do
a constant RPM on the motor. ie: don't take a 6 hour vacation to Tahoe
right off the dealer's lot, where your driving 60Mph 5 of the hours.

And even then, that is almost a religious argument. Ring and cylinder
liner materials are a lot better than they used to be, and the benefits of
a proper break in are most likely small.

And of course, stay close to home at first. If someone forgot a bolt
or some such in the engine, it's going to blow up then. You don't
want to have to tow a new car a hundred miles back to the dealer.

Ted

 

Check the owners manual that came with the car for any specific
reccomendations but I don't think there is really much that has to be
done anymore. I would change the oil at 1k regardless of what the
book says but other than that just drive it.

Seems like an awful lot of expense just to avoid maybe scratching the
paint. The paint can be scratched on the standard bumpers just as
easily (although I do agree that they wouldnt show scratches as bad).
Check out http://www.ptcruiserparts.com/ for some unique ideas to
protect the bumpers.

Good luck with the new cruiser!

Steve B.

 

AS far as the bumpers go, I am sure someone, like me (With a 2001 Deep
Cranberry Cruiser) or Nomen Nescio had written would exchange the
bumpers in a heartbeat. I would love a matching bumper to the paint
color. The grey bumpers don't show scratches that well, which is good.
I put on a set of chrome bumper strips, front and rear, for extra
protection. I got them on ebay for under $60 for the set and they
attached with 3M auto adhesive two-sided tape. Worked well when I was
tapped in the parking lot in the rear and once when a car pulled in
front of me out of a blind drive and I hit the side of her car with the
bumper, tapped is more like it. They have no scratches on them and the
bumper is still scratch free.

As far as break-ins go. The owner's manual says to take it easy. I
have had mechanics tell me to drive the car from the beginning like you
intend to drive it for the rest of it's days in your possession. Let's
face it, most used cars are previous rentals or lease cars and those
renters I am sure don't drive them easily at first. My only new car was
driven like I would normally do from fay one and it never gave me a
problem in the engine or drive train or any way related to the break-in.
But it is up to you. I do suggest NOT to abuse it.

Mark