non-touring suspension

[peach]

Just wondering if anyone owns a non-touring PT Cruiser with the 15" wheels. I ordered the 27F with ABS, CD,Cruise and Side airbags. How is the ride with the 15 inch wheels?

I have 9500 miles on my 27D (equipped like yours except no side air bags). Ride is fine with the standard Goodyear Eagle LS which I remounted on alloy wheels, and fine with Michelin Arctic Alpin snows which I put on the original steel wheels. All are 15". The 15" wheel/tire should give a slightly smoother ride than the 16", because the tire height is a little taller.
I didn't order the Touring Suspension because I was tired of bouncing along the rough New Hampshire roads in my Jeep and I thought a softer suspension might be nice for a change.
However, I have seen no FACTS about what Chrysler includes in a PT "touring suspension". People assume that it includes stiffer springs, thicker anti-sway bars, etc. However, no one has yet cited any proof from Chrysler spec sheets, a parts book or repair manual that there are different specs for a "touring suspension". I think for the PT it's just marketing talk for bigger, shiny wheels.

Ride is noticeably smoother with the 15" wheels. And I wonder how much better the handling could actually be with the touring suspension and 16" wheels. If mine handled much better, I'm afraid no one would ever want to ride with me, they would probably be beating their heads against the window all the time. Corners like it's on rails.

I have the stock 15" wheels and find the ride is fine. I believe you have a tighter turning radius also.
Note: when you do receive your car, check the air pressure in the tires. My tires were only filled up to 26 p.s.i., on the inside of the door jam it states the correct air pressure should be at 34 p.s.i. I think I'm getting better gas mileage now that the tires are filled up correctly.

According to a rep at a car show:
Since touring has 16 inch wheels, but same outside tire diameter as the 15 inch wheels and tire, so 16 inch wheels give a harder ride.
so with touring, they "softened" the rear springs, and added a "front" sway bar. The front bar, prevents the softer rear springs, form causing the PT to "roll" in making turns and on curves.
With the heavy engine up front, they did not soften the front springs, to keep good support.
They described it as a "cadillac" ride on the touring.
However, Jerry in Florida, which drove many rentals last srping, to post pics on hte net of the PT, rode both types. He said, he could not recall any difference, between the actual ride of the touring, and non touring editions.
this makes sense, that they are the same, or near so. Because, the harder touring wheel/tire is offset by the softer rear springs, compared to the non-touring addition. One person, who had 15 inch non touring wheels, put the 16 inch toruing wheels on. He said, even then, he could not tell a diference, in the ride. Even though, it should have been a little harder with the 16 inch wheels/tires, without softening the rear springs.
Note: the above dc rep, did not show me anything in writing. IT was only his verbal description of the difference, and hense, it may, or may not be precisely true. From all I have read, or asked around, it sounds right. One way to verify, is to call the parts shop, and ask them, for the part number of the rear spring on the touring, then the non touring, and see if they are different. And also, ask them, if there is an additonal front sway bar part on the touring, compared to the non touring. I have not checked with a parts department to verify.

[lisa]

I can answer this one!! I originally had a base plus light group (which I put 23,400 mile on)with 15 inch wheels and now I have a limited with 16 inch wheels and the touring suspension IS different. The different turning radius threw me for about 2 days and the ride on the 16 inch makes the car feel more like the town and country van than like a car. It is not unpleasant, just a bit different than I was used to. I do love the touring suspension for exits and winding country roads (I used to road race and I LOVE to hit the apex of the turn-just my personal quest), but it doesn't make much difference in the day to day driving thing. I think if you normally drive a small car, you will like the ride of the 15 inch wheels better and if you are used to a minivan or a full sized car, you will like the 16 inch better. Just my opinion.

[peach]

Thanks to all for the information. I hope I will be Ok with the non-touring suspension. This will be my first car in ten years, I have driven only Chrysler mini-vans. I am a bit nervous about not being able to see out as well as i did in my vans. But, i couldn't help myself, i ordered a PT and sold my van already. Driving my husbands old jucker 4x4 until the PT comes in...i can't wait.

[PTChick]

Hey Peach, don't worry about not having the touring suspension! I have the basic package, and it handles like a dream!! Right now my 'baby' is in the shop, and I'm in a 2001 Bonneville rental that I CAN'T STAND driving! I'm so used to my Cruisers tight turns and nice handling that this boat I'm driving now feels like I'm all over the road! And you'll be surprised that in the PT you actually do sit up high like in a mini-van! I'm only 5' 1, and my last car was a little sporty thing that made it feel like my back-side was dragging the ground! The visibility in the PT is great! I could go on forever......LOVE this car!!!

[Sparkydog53]

Hey Peach,
I have the basic with the 15" wheels too. I went from a Plymouth Mini Van to a Neon to a PT Cruiser. I think the PT has the comfort and ride of the mini van and the sharper turning radius of the Neon. It's the best of both!!

[saxonburgcruiser]

oh god sparkydog..this is wierd! i went from a 90 voyager to a 95 neon to my PT!
i am happy with the base suspension. my brother, who is a DC dealer service manger, tells me that mine rides better than the touring equipped models, but handles about the same.