Are we on a mission?

[Treeglum]

I wanted the PT before it came out, It may not have all the amenaties of a car not in the economy class, but hell it has more character than anything 3 times it's cost and styling inside and out to make it work. But I have always felt that I was on a mission to prove it to be a great, unique car, almost like a missionary bringing the word of PT to everyone I drove by with my well cleaned pewter gray paint and, shiny chrome, and shiny rubber wheels. Most people I meet assume it's for "older ladies and men (although I see it as wisdom inidentifying a mutli use, low cost, highly stylish vehicle,I know that's not why people say it)", although when they see mine they have to admit it looks pretty smooth. I do see other PT's done up, and have had compliments on my car, ( you know who cares by how clean the rims are!!!, wife thinks I am nutz), but it's rare compared to what the word PT ilicits in most people! "I have a PT," " Oh,. (insert here)"

I have had 4-5 cars and I have never cared about taking care of them before. After getting a new car in the past, it would only be a few months that I would look back at it, admiring my new purchase as I walked away, but after about 3 years I still look back at my PT, the PT demands it. Again, I feel like it's a mission to make mine look good, not only because I love the way it looks, but also to prove it to be more than what I see around here as it's general public misconception! Am I alone in being a PT missionary?!



I need a new pic with my headlight/tailight chrome and new euro back-up lights

[NCPTCruiser]

Looking good!

[missourimule]

I have had my PT for a grand total of three days. I cannot believe the reaction when I tell co-workers, "Oh, I bought a PT Cruiser Convertible." Their faces immediately light up, and the demand to know where it's parked so they can admire it, too! It's like they all wish that they had one!

[goldenturtle]

No you are not alone. There are lots of PT fans, more than join the various forums. I try to keep my Cruiser as clean as the day I bought her. Winter time is a royal pain. I have talked to a goodly number of people that say they dont like the PT, but when I try to pin them down as to why they dont like it, they cant give a good answer.
I bought some 8 foot lumber one day and surprized a guy at Lowes, who said " That ain't gonna fit" Watch and learn guy, I popped the back hatch, in goes the wood and closed goes the door. He was upset he couldn't do that with his SUV. I then mentioned how much his Explorer looked like any other SUV in the parking lot and the PT's more unique styling. "Have fun driving your cookie cutter truck, I like to be different guy". He was not happy with that!
The only other car I've owned I feel the same as I do about my Cruiser, was my 1964 Triumph TR-4. I kick myself for selling that one.
So yeah, you could say we are on a mission, or mayhaps we're just nuts! I be guilty!
Sorry for rambling

[PT Ted]

No you are not alone I still look at my PT the same way too..

[DARKPT]

I must admit I've started washing the PTs in the backyard to avoid seeing the neighbors' eyes rolling (he's washing it AGAIN). Wifey's Magnum gets washed twice per season, but one of the Cruisers gets a bath every week. My 7 year old PT is just as shiny as the newer one, albeit with a few stone chips standing out (thanks for the white primer under the black paint, Chrysler!). I'm embarrassed when I pass a PT on the road that is cleaner than mine, but that only happens on Thursdays and Fridays as I wash them on the weekends!

I like knowing that the car can still grab someone like you as a new owner. Lots of us nuts were enamored back when the cars were just coming out. We learned the cryptic shipping codes and celebrated when one of the group had a car that had left the assembly line and was headed north by rail. Mine arrived 11 months to the day after I ordered it. I took off of work with about 15 minutes notice, then drove 100 miles just to watch them remove the packing material and prep it for 3 hours.

I'd never driven a Cruiser with a stick shift before mine arrived, and had only driven an automatic a few times (twice while "shopping" the car at a dealership out of town that had one and once when we paid $100/day for a weekend just to park one in the driveway for a couple of days).

All of that said, I've never been a missionary for the car. It grabbed me, and it was nice if someone liked the car but didn't bother me a bit if they didn't. After all, somebody's got to drive the Camrys and Accords out there.

[Treeglum]

"he's washing it AGAIN" I feel that glare even if it's not true :O, I just need to rinse the car and clean the chrome wheels ,,,,,even feel the glare if I havn't washed in a few weeks haha, arg.

I bought a 6 peice patio set last year, glass table 4 chairs and a laize chair(however it is spelled) , and have my bucket of cleaning supplies in the car,, AND the wife :0, same reaction form one of the workers there, YOU'LL NEED 2 TRIPS. Still don't know how I did it, a patio table, 4 chairs and a laize chair in 1 trip, kind of contorted but hey, 1 TRIP!

Being on the mission thing, maybe I am scarred, I heard to many people call it an old persons car, I had an old sears sales lady , when I was buying a new BBQ, when I was asked what car I had if it would fit, reply to me when I sad PT Cruiser, "Oh a PT loser?"" hmm, I am still stunned!

"(thanks for the white primer under the black paint, Chrysler!). "

Yes the front and especialy the front bumper is getting beat to hell, I commute 70 miles a day, and all those dirt trucks, I'll be busy trying to keep up with it, with the near same gray touch up paint.



thanks all

[Bosch]

Get a turbo and watch the looks on their faces when you take their little rice machines and destroy them before you shift out of 2nd.. Now that is fun yes I'm Evil.

Sleeper cars are fun!

[GOLDMEMBER]

Nice Cruiser its looks great

[2_2COOL]

There are TONS of haters...but, as the PTE & other clubs prove, there are the PT fans out there as well. I love mine, even though I have had my share of rude comments made at me about my car (actually yelled across an intersection once). Whatever, I hate their boring, follower cars just as much as they hate my stand out in your face PT.
It is nice to see that there are still new owners who join us long timers, with the same passion & enthusiasm. I'm with DarkPT, I remember the old days of loooong waits & cheering everyone as they got their cars. Everyone who had learned all the inner workings of the production & delivery systems amazed me. We felt badly, as a group, for those who lived in BX hell! Finding one on every lot these days makes them "just another car option" to the new buyers. But, to have a PT in 2000?
You were in for the "rock star" treatment. That's back when hardly anyone hated on them. It was amazing what emotions the PT brought out in the public when it was new. Personally, I think the media bashing it incessantly
for being "gutless" was what made the haters all the more rabid. Luckily, the turbo came out & there are people like Bosch who give those misconceptions a little kick in the pants now and again.
Keep enjoying your PT. I do (even after 8 years & lots of lovely white primer showing through in spots), I can't help but turn around & admire him as I walk through a parking lot. At least I can find my car in the crowd!