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DavidinHartford
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Aug 12, 2006, 3:37 AM
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Future of PTs / interview
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Hey Gang!
In the August 7th edition of Automotive News Magazine (an Industry Trade paper) Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda and COO Eric Ridenour were interviewed on the current and future of our beloved PTs.
Here is the text from the article:
The PT Cruiser got a freshening for the 2006 model year, and LaSorda says quite a few good years are left in the current Cruisers life. But its what to do next with the PT Cruiser that has Chrysler planners scratching their heads.
In mid -July, Ridenour said one issue that had not been resolved is whether to offer a V6 engine, which will determine the vehicle platform. The JS platform can accomodate a V6, but the GS is too narrow.
Another issue is styling. Retro and cutesy are out of fashion. Expect the next generation PT Cruiser to be more of a straight up Toyota RAV4 fighter with the retro elements played down.
Sources say Chrysler has not decided whether to use the PT Cruiser name for the redesigned model, which could debut in the 2009 or 2010 model year.
END OF ARTICLE.
My thoughts? Retro is out of fashion? Is that why they are bringing back the Challenger? Is that why GM has the HHR and upcoming Retro Camaro? I've been seeing alot of HHRs on the road lately!
If they make the next model like a RAV4, I think they will lose the current customer base. The current PT owner hates the cookie cutter look of the foreign cars. Toning down the retro too much will turn people away.
Any comments gang?
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David in Hartford
2003 PT Woody Limited.
1980 LeBaron 5th Ave Limited.
1980 LeBaron Town & Country wagon.
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Posts: 24 | From: Connecticut
| Registered: Jul 26, 2006, 4:24 PM
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ptgeebee
Cruiser Addict
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 12, 2006, 4:49 AM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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If this is what DC is going to do I'll never get rid of my 01.
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East Tennessee PT
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Posts: 733 | From: Maryville, TN
| Registered: Nov 14, 2004, 4:53 AM
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bubba56
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Aug 17, 2006, 3:46 PM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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I was searching around and came across this image of a "Possible PT Redesign":
I found the link on this site:
http://forums.streetfire.net/...index.php?t-105.html
I think it shows great potential. Its still retro and cutesy with a modern edge.
It also looks like it would fit on a Calibur base if its used.
I was wondering if anyone else has seen this image?
Any thoughts? Hoax? Real thing?
Bubbster
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Posts: 3 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 29, 2006, 8:43 AM
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PTPenguin
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Sep 29, 2006, 8:55 AM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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I had a 97 2 door Rav4 which was pretty cool, they messed the Rav up when they made it larger and more mainstream. This is why I bought an 05 PT Crusiser to replace it, style, uniqueness! Now DC wants to turn the PT into a Rav4-esque sorta-SUV clone? I guess my tastes are antiquated...
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2005 Bright Silver Convertible, 5 speed with 8 ball knob, chrome door spears, chrome gas cap door, chrome antenna bezel, chrome grill kit, chrome rear bumper pillows, chrome bumper trim, stainless antenna with flames, stainless door panel trim, chrome smoothies with baby moons, 2" wide "gangster" white walls, chrome tail light trim, K&N air filter element in a modified airbox and an oogah horn. Hmmm, what have I forgotten???
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Posts: 212 | From: Sin City
| Registered: Mar 24, 2006, 5:06 PM
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captaincog
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Oct 2, 2006, 3:32 PM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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From the second hand rumors that I have heard, the PTCruiser is a dead platform depsite the sales numbers . There are many current owners that cannot stand the small changes made on the 06 models and DC has noticed this. If current owners cannot stomach small changes, I think that the DC engineers and designers are simply reading the writing on the wall.
Sad indeed.......
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Posts: 11 | From: Rialto, CA
| Registered: Jul 3, 2005, 11:53 PM
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Cruiser RN
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Oct 14, 2006, 9:52 AM
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Re: [captaincog] Future of PTs / interview
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 Hi Captain.The people at Chrysler have to realize that THEY NEED TO LISTEN TO OUR IDEAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Want repeat and new customers,a PT Panel Van,PT Coupe,5 door and 3 door Panel van,and the return of the 01-05 design to please us Dinosaurs.There is plenty to do without the enlightened brains thinking that its brain surgery,and throwing the baby out with the bathwater.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: 2257 | From: Yonkers, New York
| Registered: Aug 21, 2002, 12:00 AM
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JOEMAMA
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Oct 15, 2006, 7:58 PM
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Re: [captaincog] Future of PTs / interview
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Quote:
From the second hand rumors that I have heard, the PTCruiser is a dead platform depsite the sales numbers. There are many current owners that cannot stand the small changes made on the 06 models and DC has noticed this. If current owners cannot stomach small changes, I think that the DC engineers and designers are simply reading the writing on the wall.
Sad indeed.......
I love the changes made to the 2006 m/y....in fact I especially like the front end better than the previous m/y.....however I'm young. I think the PT needs an overhaul, but DCX should at least try to keep the retro styling, along with a modern refresh.
You can't keep the same design for years on end and I agree with captain - if the small changes to 2006 have created such an uproar, imagine the negative reactions with a completely new design! Old people hate change and the reactons to the 2006 m/y prove it! Instead, they will re-design it and rename it. Its a safe move really - don't risk a poor reaction from current PT owners and attract more/new buyers.
I'll be disappointed if DCX kills the PTC, but I can understand their reasoning....the PT did very well for DCX, they'll put away the name for a while and then bring out another PT in the future when the timing is right. Sometimes time spoils such a good thing.....just look how the Neon died.....Chrysler actually made fun of it in their Caliber commercials! At least the PT will be remembered with more dignity!
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2006 PT Cruiser Base MTX
Magnesium Pearl
12,000km/7,500mi
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Posts: 22 | From: Sarnia, ON Canada
| Registered: Sep 16, 2006, 7:44 PM
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IvAnOv
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 16, 2006, 3:17 PM
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Re: [JOEMAMA] Future of PTs / interview
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Quote:
I love the changes made to the 2006 m/y....in fact I especially like the front end better than the previous m/y.....
Im desagree ! for me the best retro accent part of the PTC is the complte grill
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Stage 1 16psi
Stage 2 21psi
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Posts: 323 | From: México City
| Registered: Aug 15, 2006, 10:37 AM
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Abendicum
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Nov 16, 2006, 3:35 PM
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Re: [IvAnOv] Future of PTs / interview
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I couldn't agree more... The full grill below the bumper is one of the coolest design features of the PT !!!
I guess I'll be keeping my '04 for a few decades... The last car I had a '55 chevy 2 door wagon, I drove for 30 years !!!
Ab
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Posts: 30 | From: South East Florida
| Registered: Sep 1, 2003, 2:41 AM
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IvAnOv
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 16, 2006, 4:04 PM
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Re: [Abendicum] Future of PTs / interview
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I guess I'll be keeping my '04 for a few decades...
I dream with the same... I have to take care a lot to my DCS2 because is a turbo motor, I only use it 1 or 2 days per week
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Stage 1 16psi
Stage 2 21psi
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Posts: 323 | From: México City
| Registered: Aug 15, 2006, 10:37 AM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Nov 16, 2006, 4:09 PM
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Re: [Abendicum] Future of PTs / interview
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I think that the basic design should stay the same. But offer a V6 like the Chevy Impala. I rented one when my truck was stolen and I was impressed with the V6. The gas mileage was great it had a 3.5 v6 automatic that would blow any pT off the road and I tried it. As for the Body style. how long was the Beetle around before they came out with the new beetle .It was a long time. But it still looks like a beetle just smarter looking. Can VW be wrong and Chrysler be right. If Chrysler doesn't start making cars and trucks that get the same mileage as Ford and Chevrolet there won't be a Chrysler Corp. to buy anything from. Look at the Durango. There not selling. They want to close the Plant that they are made in. put people out of work and the reason is? Why don't they make the Durango on the Dodge truck line. Make the PT and the Compass in Delaware and keep everyone working.?We want performance and gas mileage but not at the cost of people's job's. ,They used to make a Plymouth neon,Then then changed it to Dodge Neon. Now the neon is gone. Why. It was selling and plenty of them are on the road today. Wake up Chrysler before it's to late. I have three Chrysler products ,two pPT's and a Dodge Hemi. My wife's Buick Century with the 3.1 v6 out preforms them all and she gets great mileage and pick up.
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big jim
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Posts: 902 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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mrmike
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Nov 16, 2006, 8:20 PM
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Re: [silvereagle] Future of PTs / interview
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Well you asked for [Any comments gang?]
As a fan of / and owner of 3 PT Cruisers:
I say keep it the same and make regular improvements to it as Volkswagen did to the Bug.
(a 5 speed automatic for gas mileage would be nice)
If not: I am fond of comparing the PT Cruiser to the 19641/2 Mustang:
It will change, time goes by, but for more than 40 years a Mustang is a Mustang.
We should be so lucky that in 2041 the “new” PT Cruiser is retro to 2001.
If DCX kills the PT Cruiser, they are shortsighted.
MrMike
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Posts: 4 | From: Sarasota FL
| Registered: Jul 11, 2005, 6:02 AM
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gerricor
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Nov 17, 2006, 6:33 AM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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I owned a 2003 and traded it in for a 2006. The only thing I don't like about the 2006 is that it has painted bumpers. The 2003 had rubber bumpers which were great for parking on the street, which I have to do. Within a month of getting my 2006, both front and rear bumpers were scratched from other people parallel parking in front of and behind me. I haven't gotten them repaired because it will just happen again. I would replace the rubber bumpers in all future models. I would also like to see a HYBRID PT!!! As for a general redesign? NO!!!! I agree with another post that said to do regular technical and engine, etc. upgrades, but to keep the design the same, like VW did/does with the Bug. I think the PT is a timeless design. If you replace the moniker "retro" with "timeless," you don't have to worry about what's supposedly "current."
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Posts: 1 | From: boston
| Registered: May 30, 2004, 12:33 PM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Nov 17, 2006, 7:45 AM
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Re: [gerricor] Future of PTs / interview
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One of the big problems with the people at Chrysler is there engineers have nothing to do with there spare time. Instead of screwing up the PT let them bush a broom around the floor for a while, This will give them something to do. These kind of people mess more car designs up then anyone else. What I'm really trying to say is make them listen to the customer's ,We're the one's buying there product..If they change the PT I'll go out and Buy a new Chevy. Not a Chrysler Product. Can they afford to loose customer's?.Maybe they should send out a questionair to past Customer's of the PT, See what we like or don't like then go from there. I'll bet there would be a V6 in the PT's future. One that get's good gas mileage. Something that burns Ethenol and gets good mileage too.Bring back MTBE
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big jim
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Posts: 902 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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IvAnOv
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Nov 17, 2006, 11:44 AM
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Re: [silvereagle] Future of PTs / interview
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Quote:
The gas mileage was great it had a 3.5 v6 automatic that would blow any pT off the road and I tried it.
I think that the HEMI motor rules !!! I have this two cars in Home and que gas milage is excelent
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Stage 1 16psi
Stage 2 21psi
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Posts: 323 | From: México City
| Registered: Aug 15, 2006, 10:37 AM
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stimpy
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Nov 17, 2006, 12:34 PM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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I'd like to see the PT take on more of the personality of a mini 300 with a REAR WHEEL DRIVE! V6. Daimler could easily build on the C class platform and make a car that could compete with the Mustang and Camaro for customers.
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Posts: 6 | From: Salinas, CA
| Registered: Oct 25, 2003, 9:04 PM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Nov 17, 2006, 4:40 PM
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Re: [IvAnOv] Future of PTs / interview
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Quote:
Quote:
The gas mileage was great it had a 3.5 v6 automatic that would blow any pT off the road and I tried it.
MY 04 Quad cab 4x4 Hemi is getting 12.5 in the city and 15 if I'm lucky on the highway. using winter grade fuels and it only has 16,000 miles on it.
I think that the HEMI motor rules !!! I have this two cars in Home and que gas milage is excelent
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big jim
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Posts: 902 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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screag01
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Dec 4, 2006, 5:12 PM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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My thoughts? Retro is out of fashion? Is that why they are bringing back the Challenger? Is that why GM has the HHR and upcoming Retro Camaro?
Any comments gang?
<$.02> My thought is you paraphrased his statement. Leaving out the " and cutesy", which makes the distinction. </$.02>
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Posts: 1 | From: MI
| Registered: Nov 9, 2004, 8:26 PM
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Ptrope
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Dec 17, 2006, 7:03 PM
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Re: [DavidinHartford] Future of PTs / interview
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Quote:
Another issue is styling. Retro and cutesy are out of fashion. Expect the next generation PT Cruiser to be more of a straight up Toyota RAV4 fighter with the retro elements played down.
Yeah, I disagree with this, not only from a personal view, but from a commercial one. As noted by others, retro clearly is still a viable marketing approach in Auburn Hills - the Challenger is the most physically-obvious example from DC, although the 300 also has many retro cues in its design, and "Charger" was hardly chosen as a name for its modern flair - they wanted to evoke and build upon the past (even if the car itself looks nothing like any previous Charger).
I think there are a number of ways the PTC can be redesigned and still evoke historical design - personally, I wish they had used the 300 as more of a styling test bed for a new grille, with its oversize and nearly-vertical design, than with the reduced grille they went with and the completely out-of-place lower fascia (btw, it appears that PTeazer now has a lower fascia for the 2006+ that brings back the full-height grille ). Creating a modern Chrysler RAV4 and calling it something else would be, IMO, a marketing faux pas of epic proportion.
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On a cellular level, I'm really quite busy!
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Posts: 47 | From: Indianapolis, IN
| Registered: Dec 10, 2006, 8:33 PM
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