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Hey guys and gals,

I need some opinions here. Looking for a used turbo and from what I've read, the 5 speed manual is the way to go. Also seems smarter to stick to an 04 or later. Well, finding a manual is really rare out here where I live and now I finally found one, but it is an 03. My question is:

Is it better to get a 03 w/ manual transmission, an 04 w/ automatic, or hold out and wait for an 04 (or later) w/ manual? I'm not really in a rush to buy something right away.

btw - the car will be for my wife, and we will keep it stock. "Conservative" is a good way to describe her driving.


Thanks inadvance for all your help!!

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If I hear that the automatic will break down on you because it is an automatic one more time I think I'll toss my PT Cookies. Nothing wrong with the longevity of the automatic unless you constantly take it to the strip to test the et on the thing. The 5 speed is great if you like to shift gears all the time. The automatic works well in cities of over one million people. In practical city driving you will not get better pull on the stick than the with the auto (autostick) on a turbo model. The best one of the two is the one YOU like. If anything I have seen a thread where two similar turbos, one with a stick and one with auto dragged and at the end of the quarter mile they were neck and neck. I can't remember which one won.

I have an 04 GT autostick and it flys. Others prefer the 5 speed. Were I drive I constantly run into traffic so the auto is my choice. As others have stated, you can modify the clutch on a 5 speed and crank up the power on the car if you so choose. That being the case, the go for the stick for sure. My case above holds for one or the other without harsh mods.

Regards
The M.O.B.

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Thanks Jopie and Bosch for responding to my post. Automatics can fail because they are so complex compared to manuals but talking to a Chrysler mechanic assures me that the autos, especially on the turbos, are very reliable. They must be treated as autos and not drag racers. For trouble free reliability, change your transmission fluid and shift responsibly.

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Thanks Jopie and Bosch for responding to my post. Automatics can fail because they are so complex compared to manuals but talking to a Chrysler mechanic assures me that the autos, especially on the turbos, are very reliable. They must be treated as autos and not drag racers. For trouble free reliability, change your transmission fluid and shift responsibly.

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MOB, Like anything, there will eventually be a big market of bulletproof hi-po aftermarket automatic trans parts for your PT. I've got the 5-speed manual, but I often wish I had the automatic. It's not so much the constant clutching, but rather the smell of a burning clutch that I disdain.

Also, many of my old Mopars had the TorqueFlight 727 automatic with the "Slapstick" AKA AutoStick. They're certainly not weak nor inferior to any manual.

Regards!

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Thanks Jopie and Bosch for responding to my post. Automatics can fail because they are so complex compared to manuals but talking to a Chrysler mechanic assures me that the autos, especially on the turbos, are very reliable. They must be treated as autos and not drag racers. For trouble free reliability, change your transmission fluid and shift responsibly.

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Thanks Jopie and Bosch for responding to my post. Automatics can fail because they are so complex compared to manuals but talking to a Chrysler mechanic assures me that the autos, especially on the turbos, are very reliable. They must be treated as autos and not drag racers. For trouble free reliability, change your transmission fluid and shift responsibly.

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What a joke. Your first mistake is listening to anyone working for the dealership. You really believe the mechanic is going to tell you the automatic has it's problems? He's not stupid, he could lose his job. I've been on these forums for 5 years and the automatic has a higher than normal failure rate, even with proper service and driven responsibly. The three speed auto in Chrysler and Dodge vehicles was bullet proof. The four speed auto, especially in PT's, Neons and minivans have had their problems. On the bright side chances are you won't have a problem, but then again chances are greater than normal that you will. Here's hoping you don't.

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Thanks Jopie and Bosch for responding to my post. Automatics can fail because they are so complex compared to manuals but talking to a Chrysler mechanic assures me that the autos, especially on the turbos, are very reliable. They must be treated as autos and not drag racers. For trouble free reliability, change your transmission fluid and shift responsibly.

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What a joke. Your first mistake is listening to anyone working for the dealership. You really believe the mechanic is going to tell you the automatic has it's problems? He's not stupid, he could lose his job. I've been on these forums for 5 years and the automatic has a higher than normal failure rate, even with proper service and driven responsibly. The three speed auto in Chrysler and Dodge vehicles was bullet proof. The four speed auto, especially in PT's, Neons and minivans have had their problems. On the bright side chances are you won't have a problem, but then again chances are greater than normal that you will. Here's hoping you don't.

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I have known several mechanics and "service write up" employees who give VERY accurate information: often more accurate than I read on PT (or other) web sites. A mechanic does know which cars have frequent problems, and why. A good one will tell you. And, unlike on a web site, you are a real customer, so they should want to tell the truth. Here, anyone can say anything. What one person says here can make it sound like it is a universal problem. A real mechanic at a dealer sees much more "typical" service problems, not just what someone wants to complain about on a web site.

Without posting names, I can think of at least on person on this site who was/is an "imposter mechanic," and a troll who gives consistently poor advice.

Of course, I also believe there are people at dealerships who lie. I said I knew of good mechanics. I also know of bad ones, and terrible advice given by some write up people. Hope you find a good one!

Now at 15,000 on my PT, Auto, with stage one. No problems with anything. (I did change the ATF at 15K, and will now continue to do so at 30K intervals.)

My previous n/a auto PT had 30,000 when I traded it in. No problems with the Auto, or anything else.

My Chrysler mini van, with a 4 speed Auto, is at 85,000 miles, and the transmisssion for it is OK, too.

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I neglected to mention that I have also spoken to other mechanics who do not work for Chrysler. One question was on the PT auto and the other on the Caravans. The amount of trannys that are bad are INSIGNIFICANT compared to those that are trouble free, provided normal care is excercised. Mean Green I think you speak with greater authority than you really have. To falsely and blindly claim that the automatic will probably fail me has me wondering what tailpipe you've been inhaling.

Post whatever tickles your fancy. I did my homework on this with real mechanics before I bought any of my cars. This doesn't mean they are invincible, but I'm certain they are reliable. Stage 1 and stage 2 talk has no place in discussion weather the original design for original street use is reliable. Those who want to increase to S1 or S2 may be in danger of having a false hope that their car is now a racing machine and they may run into repair costs sooner than later.

The PT Cruiser is NOT a high performance car. It is a fun car with performance for regular street use.

Again this bad mouthing of automatics has no real teeth. Ask real mechanics about the problem. Over a million PTs have been sold and almost 8 million Caravans in the last twenty years and one of the veteran mechanics I know told me that the problem with the automatic transmissions is rare compared to actual total sales except those who do have a problem will get on the net and blow a fuse.

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I'll be sure to tell my buddy's running 300-400 hp on their PT GT's that they DON'T have high performance cars. I guess when they are beating the heck out of V8's at the track it is all a mirage.

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I believe that when they are doing that (and I do believe they ARE doing that) that that is not the "intended use" of the PT Cruiser. It was meant for "cruising." IF I did what they are doing, THEN I would not be at all surprised if I had transmission failure, and a transmission upgrade, along with the other mods, would be in order. The mechanics and Chrysler service personell I have talked to DO say that if I made more mods, start going to the track, and doing nuetral drops and generally drive it like I stole it, THEN I should expect transmission problems in the future.

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<It would appear to me that you didn't approve of the factory/oem components or assemblies. You've a ton of aftermarket listed on your signature block. That's not what the factory intended, but it is closer to your own intentions, isn't it?>

It is much more to my own intentions and preferences, yes! Some are performance preferences, some are audio preferences (maybe that IS performance?), some things are only "cosmetic."

I agree that my PT has been a "platform" for modifications beyond what anyone at the factory (or dealer) would have had sitting on the lot when I bought the car.

Although I would be disappointed with a transmission failure at 81K, like mean green had, I would not be shocked. As you implied, "This isn't rocket science."

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