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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 15, 2008, 3:26 PM
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First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Hello everyone,
A couple of weeks ago I had no idea that I would be owning a PT Cruiser. Frankly the thought had never entered my mind. You see, I am generally quite conservative, most of the time. I was in the market for a small SUV. I just wanted something with a little more flexibility when needing to carry bulky items. I was thinking of going after a Honda CRV, in spite of the fact that I find them quite unattractive, even the newer models. So, I called a friend of mine who happens to be a used car dealer. He asked me what I was looking for and why. After that he said, I have exactly what you need, a 2006 PT Cruiser!
I initially resisted the idea. I told him that I didn't think that I wanted an American car due to reliability problems. He told me that the Cruiser has great reliability and told me to look it up in Consumer Reports and to call him back. I did look it up and found that, to my surprise, it did seemed to be a reliable car, comparable to what people expect from Japanese cars. However, I still had doubts about the looks. I mean, I have a responsible position in our local congregation and I always try to give a good example in "being moderate in habits". (1 Tim 3:2) So, I called him back to tell him that I did not think it would be the right car for me. I wanted something a little less "extravagant", I think I said. However, he insisted that he though this would be a great car for me. He assured me that the car was not "showy". He offered to send me some pictures and to call him back.
After I looked at the pictures he sent and some other pictures of PT Cruisers online, I started to see that, in deed the lines of the PT Cruiser where not really over the top. And the black color was in deed rather refined looking. While it does have a little audacious look, I started to see the elegance in that. And, to top it all off, with the money he was asking for it I would have had to settle for a much older small SUV. This one comes with about 36K miles! So, I called him back and told him I wanted it. I just got the license plates on it today.
Well, to tell you that I am loving the little car would be an understatement.  I have been reading this forum a bit, and have found some interesting suggestions, like replacing the plugs and cables, getting a K&N air filter, and maybe buying some Meguiar's Swirl Free Polish to smooth out the paint a little (not that it is in bad shape). And of course, I think I will be asking for some suggestions from you fine folks. Like, for example, should I go to the dealer for oil changes and other maintenance, or should I go to the local Valvoline, or any other recommendations in Connecticut? I think eventually I may even go ahead and get a little chrome for it. Just a little. 
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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anoldhippy
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 15, 2008, 4:02 PM
Post #2 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Black cruisers look especially great with chrome . You will find the mod bug hits you quickly. Welcome and peaceful cruising from Central Calif.
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Namaste
Karen
...when I look in the mirror, I like what I see, just a few more lines looking back at me... I'm not old, I'm just older...bonjovi
"Blanche's Midlife Facelift"
2005 5-Speed
Limo Black Window Tint
"Peace" 3rd Brake Lite Mask
Custom painted dash kit
Baby Moons
"PT Cruiser" Tire Valve Stem Covers
Retro 40's Fender Kit
Chrome Door Handle Cuffs
Chrome Port Holes
Chrome Beltline
Chrome Bumper Inserts & Licence Plate Insert
Chrome Taillight Surrounds
Chrome Headlight Surrounds
(This post was edited by anoldhippy on Apr 15, 2008, 4:03 PM)
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Posts: 250 | From: 241 mi from the happiest place on earth
| Registered: Sep 16, 2005, 2:53 PM
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Cruiser RN
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 15, 2008, 5:18 PM
Post #3 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Hi RM and welcome to the PTCC from MIke and Ginny Casabianca of Yonkers New York.You should definately pitch the crappy OEM wires and Plugs,get the K-N air filter,and switch to full synthetic oil.Most definately if they are anything like New York,stay far away from the Stealers for any maintenance issues.They are called "Stealers"for a good reason.I would suggest getting a good reliable mechanic and go to him/her for all your car care.If you have an extended warranty any mechanic can do the work and get paid from them.Miss CRN is a 01 Black Limited Edition and has been moderately chromed over the years so you can click on our photolink below this post and view my pictures at your leisure.God Bless..............Mike
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Mike Casabianca
His: 2001 Black LE with Auto Transmission, BullDog Signs Flames, WeatherTec wind deflectors, cargo area mat, PT trash can, PT valve stem caps and Dart's coldair intake, chrome tail and headlight bezels, chrome bumper inserts, chrome license plate pillow, chrome fender trim, 1940's retro chrome on front and back fenders, door spears, chrome hatch door trim, chrome gas door, brushed chrome door sills, billet door pins, custom "BlueHaze" dash mat, MRK Group lugnut covers, dome light trim, etc. and the chrome goes on......
Hers: 2003 Patriot Blue Woody with Automatic Transmission, Bulldog Signs Eeyore, Cargo area mat, WeatherTec wind deflectors, PT valve stem caps, PT trash can, "BlueHaze" custom dash mat, and chrome tailpipe extension, "Old School" wood shifter knob, wood and chrome door pins, MRK Group interior knob and switch covers, door surrounds, and dome light trim, chrome door surround trim, white eeyore window decals, smoothie hub cap, wood eeyore plaques ....and the Wood goes on
http://community.webshots.com/user/mdcvmvc
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Posts: 2224 | From: Yonkers, New York
| Registered: Aug 21, 2002, 12:00 AM
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ptgrotje
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Apr 15, 2008, 11:17 PM
Post #4 of 21
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Re: [Cruiser RN] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Hi and welcome from The Netherlands. Very nice colour you have
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www.blackcruiser.nl
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Posts: 79 | From: The Netherlands
| Registered: Oct 17, 2003, 5:55 AM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 6:05 AM
Post #5 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Thank you for the friendly responses. You all have very nice cars. Unfortunately, I know very little about giving maintenance to a car, although I do know how to change the oil on a car. During the warm weather I guess I won't mind changing the oil on my own. For everything else, I guess I'll have to find me a good mechanic. Thanks to Cruiser RN for that advice.
I think I like the chrome strip under the door, that is shown in ptgtotje's car. Does that strip have a name? Is it hard to install?
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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Dave From NY
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 6:12 AM
Post #6 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Side molding, aka "door spears."
I bought a set for my '07 but haven't installed them yet. I might do it tonight.
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2007 Limited, Auto, 2.4L NA
(This post was edited by Dave From NY on Apr 16, 2008, 6:13 AM)
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Posts: 67 | From: New York
| Registered: Feb 29, 2008, 6:04 PM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 6:40 AM
Post #7 of 21
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Re: [Dave From NY] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Quote:
Side molding, aka "door spears."
I bought a set for my '07 but haven't installed them yet. I might do it tonight.
Ah, thanks. Hey, would you mind giving us a blow by blow narration of the installation, especially if there are any particularly tricky steps? That would be great for newbies like me.
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(This post was edited by rm on Apr 16, 2008, 6:41 AM)
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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PT_TAZ
Cruiser Certified
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 7:19 AM
Post #8 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Welcome to the forums. Beware "a little chrome" is how most of us started!!!
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Posts: 1152 | From: NY
| Registered: May 30, 2001, 12:00 AM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 8:07 AM
Post #9 of 21
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Re: [PT_TAZ] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Quote:
Welcome to the forums. Beware "a little chrome" is how most of us started!!!
Ha, ha. Yes, I know. I'll have to watch out for that famous "bug".
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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HipCat
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 11:49 AM
Post #10 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Congratulations on your new ride, and welcome to the group! 
There's no such thing as "just a little chrome."
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AL PTCC Director
http://al.ptcruiserclub.org/alabama/
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Posts: 2392 | From: Homewood, AL
| Registered: Aug 13, 2002, 12:00 AM
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Dave From NY
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Apr 16, 2008, 3:49 PM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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RM, I put my side moldings on tonight. I think I did a pretty good job--but if I had it to do over again, I'd get the car up on a lift to bring the work up to eye level. Doing it while sitting on the ground is a P.I.T.A., literally and figuratively.
I also bought some bumper trim, but now I'm not so sure the car really needs it. It looks really good with the trim I put on tonight, and adding more might be overkill. If I do decide to put it on, you can bet I'm going to rent a lift to do it.
Anyway, here's what I did:
Wash the car well and dry thoroughly.
Clean the area repeatedly with rubbing alcohol until the paper towels come back totally free of dirt. Let dry completely.
Line up the trim carefully with steady hands and nerves of steel--'cause once that adhesive touches the metal, it's over. Press and pray.
I had this whole scheme worked out whereby I was going to use artist's tape to pre-fit the trim and get everything lined up perfectly before committing it to the car, but it didn't work out because the spears wouldn't lay totally flat on the doors. So I had to take a deep breath and do it free-hand.
I also installed a set of chrome door handle cups; that was far easier/less nerve-wracking by comparison.
By the way, a very easy (and totally reversible!) mod I did earlier was to add a polished stainless "turn down" exhaust tip, which really looks great (in my opinion).
Hope this helps!
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Posts: 67 | From: New York
| Registered: Feb 29, 2008, 6:04 PM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 6:04 AM
Post #12 of 21
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Re: [Dave From NY] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Quote:
RM, I put my side moldings on tonight. I think I did a pretty good job--but if I had it to do over again, I'd get the car up on a lift to bring the work up to eye level. Doing it while sitting on the ground is a P.I.T.A., literally and figuratively.
I also bought some bumper trim, but now I'm not so sure the car really needs it. It looks really good with the trim I put on tonight, and adding more might be overkill. If I do decide to put it on, you can bet I'm going to rent a lift to do it.
Anyway, here's what I did:
Wash the car well and dry thoroughly.
Clean the area repeatedly with rubbing alcohol until the paper towels come back totally free of dirt. Let dry completely.
Line up the trim carefully with steady hands and nerves of steel--'cause once that adhesive touches the metal, it's over. Press and pray.
I had this whole scheme worked out whereby I was going to use artist's tape to pre-fit the trim and get everything lined up perfectly before committing it to the car, but it didn't work out because the spears wouldn't lay totally flat on the doors. So I had to take a deep breath and do it free-hand.
I also installed a set of chrome door handle cups; that was far easier/less nerve-wracking by comparison.
By the way, a very easy (and totally reversible!) mod I did earlier was to add a polished stainless "turn down" exhaust tip, which really looks great (in my opinion).
Hope this helps!
Thanks for sharing your experience. So, did you have to remove the original molding or do you stick the chromed one on top of the old one? If you do have to remove it, is it just a matter of using a screw driver to pop it out?
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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ptgrotje
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 6:45 AM
Post #13 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Mine went over the old ones. Also very importand is that you not put them one when it is less then 15 degrees celcius. Otherwise the tape would not work that good!
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www.blackcruiser.nl
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Posts: 79 | From: The Netherlands
| Registered: Oct 17, 2003, 5:55 AM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 6:53 AM
Post #14 of 21
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Re: [ptgrotje] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Ah, OK. Well, that doesn't sound too bad. I'll have to wait a few weeks before putting and order, but I think I will go ahead and try it. Thanks again.
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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Dave From NY
Cruiser Buff
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 7:02 AM
Post #15 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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RM, you have the factory painted spears? In that case, installation should be easier than what I described. You just slip the chromed covers over the factory spears. Make sure you buy the right type of trim; they offer two different types depending on whether your car has the factory spears or not. Mine required an especially steady hand because it was the whole spear I was installing, not just a cover.
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2007 Limited, Auto, 2.4L NA
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Posts: 67 | From: New York
| Registered: Feb 29, 2008, 6:04 PM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 7:32 AM
Post #16 of 21
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Re: [Dave From NY] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Quote:
RM, you have the factory painted spears? In that case, installation should be easier than what I described. You just slip the chromed covers over the factory spears. Make sure you buy the right type of trim; they offer two different types depending on whether your car has the factory spears or not. Mine required an especially steady hand because it was the whole spear I was installing, not just a cover.
That sounds even better then. 
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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Walter P
Cruiser Fan
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 10:48 AM
Post #17 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Welcome to the Forum, rm! May you have many a carefree and enjoyable mile in your new Cruiser.
I also thank those who posted their experiences on chrome installation. I have just started - I purchased the door and trunk lid scuff guards which are both cosmetic and funtional in my book. I also have been thinking about the under-door spears - guess that may be the next step!
And then this morning there was a nice looking 5-door Woody with a Continental kit ahead of me- I tried to get a better look but he or she was a bit too fast for me to catch up with. A Woody drop-top.....hmmmmmmmm. Something to think about! Don't know if there is a Continental kit for the 'vert though.
Those of us in the northeast are enjoying some good weather today, 75F here in Central Connecticut. Top goes down on the way home from work!
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2008 PT Cruiser Conv 5-sp
(This post was edited by Walter P on Apr 17, 2008, 10:54 AM)
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Posts: 24 | From: Southington, CT
| Registered: Jan 21, 2008, 5:43 AM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 1:02 PM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: [Walter P] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Walter,
Yes, a convertible would be nice this time of the year. Enjoy it while it lasts.
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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lacounty
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 18, 2008, 1:25 PM
Post #19 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Welcome RM.
You have found a place where a great bunch of people reside. I can see you have hit the ground running. You are already talking about "maybe a few little things done" to your black beauty. The spears are easy to put on. You will find a lot of things are easy to put on your new little friend.
Charlie
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Posts: 338 | From: Chino Hills, California
| Registered: Jan 3, 2004, 12:34 PM
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rm
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Apr 18, 2008, 2:20 PM
Post #20 of 21
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Re: [lacounty] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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Thanks Charlie,
You know, there is something about this little car that makes you want to take care of it. It is so funny. I have had the car just about one week and I haven't even washed it yet, although I am itching to do it. This is because I read here in the forum that taking it to the car wash is a bad idea. The thing is that I haven't hand washed a car in years and I don't have any equipment. Well, I didn't have any equipment.  During lunch I took a spin to Advanced Auto Parts and got my self a micro fiber sponge, a bottle of Meguire's Tech Wax, which came with a free bottle of Crystal Wash, a few finishing cloths, and a chamoise, oh and I picked up "The Club" for security while I was at it.
Oh, my. I was looking for a car and ended up getting me a new hobby.
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Posts: 21 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 11, 2008, 2:05 PM
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HipCat
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Apr 18, 2008, 2:25 PM
Post #21 of 21
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Re: [rm] First post - I have a black beauty :)
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 You are one of us now.
Meguiar's is all I use on my baby.
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AL PTCC Director
http://al.ptcruiserclub.org/alabama/
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Posts: 2392 | From: Homewood, AL
| Registered: Aug 13, 2002, 12:00 AM
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