The PT Cruiser is *NOT* a Neon...
bullbehr
for a good while because I'm wanting to buy one close to Christmas as a
present. I've also read about every newpaper/magazine article I can locate
on them since I first "discovered" the Cruiser in one of the car magazines
about 18 months ago. Ever since then folks have batted around whether or
not the PT Cruiser is built on the Neon platform or not. There was one
fellow (I assume...) in particular who just ranted and raved about how he
got his information from a MOPAR magazine editor (or something like that)
and the PT Cruiser was ABSOLUTELY built on the Neon platform and basically
a Neon with a different body.
I have to say *WRONG*!!!
A few weeks ago I received a "magazine" from Chrysler called the "Road &
Track Guide to the Chrysler PT Cruiser" and just last night was able to
read it from cover to cover. Since this was sent out by Chrysler (I'm a
Chrysler owner plus I had written a letter to them when I first learned
about the Cruiser with my suggestions--so I've been on some sort of mailing
list, received a PT Cruiser SwissCard, and was even called on the telephone
by a fellow from Chrysler regarding my letter...) I would *ASSUME* that
it's correct. Surely these guides aren't too rare because I even managed
to get a second copy in the mail somehow. If everyone who has one would
turn to page 44 of the guide and read the article "Beneath The
Skin--Techniques and Technical Details" the second paragraph starts out
like this:
"While the PT is *NOT* (((emphasis added by me))) built off the Neon
platform and shares few parts with it, that subcompact sedan was a starting
point for many of the Cruiser's systems."
So the Cruiser is, for the most part, a stand alone vehicle. I totally
understand about it being built in the same factory as the Neon in Toluca,
Mexico--but so is the Sebring convertible, and it's OBVIOUSLY not a Neon
knock-off.
Of course there will be the die-hard boneheads out there who will INSIST
that the PT Cruiser is nothing but a reskinned Neon until the day they
die... I SALUTE YOU!!!! ;)
Bull
Richard Flow
with a Neon. Even the 2.4L engine is not available in a Neon. No body
panels, interiors pieces, nothing is Neon. And the rear suspension on the
PT is totally unique and different from any other Chrysler car. I think the
assembly plant it shared in Toluca was for the Sebring convertible, not the
Neon. Now they have pulled the Sebring out and it's all PT so now maybe
those that have waited for months (like me) to get their PT....there is
light at the end of the tunnel.
Dave Gower
bullbehr <noad...@ihatejunkmail.com> wrote in message
news:noaddress-ya024080...@news.1starnet.com...
> ...the PT is *NOT* (((emphasis added by me))) built off the Neon
> platform and shares few parts with it, that subcompact sedan was a
starting
> point for many of the Cruiser's systems."
Everything you say is correct but this stubborn urban legend about the PT
being a reskinned Neon partly comes from the fact that the first couple of
show cars WERE simply rebodied Neons. Some people remember that but don't
keep up with further facts.
Cheers
JAYBIRD248
potential became more certain, DC would have been willing to make further
investments.
Look for spinoffs, however, to further amortize the platform cost.
Sean in Canada
The PT shares 18 parts with the Neon.
The 2.4 is the same engine but stroked more.
European PT's have the same Neon 2.0.
The damn PT needs the supercharger sooner than later, and before the turbo
that's going on it in a year.
--
I took the path less traveled by...
... and now I'm totally lost!
2000 - Ziggy Cartoon
sqaudio.com SUCKS!
Sean in Canada
Thinking of getting CC 2000 5.9 Full Time 4x4 Transfer Case Dakota, build it
into a R/T Limited KILLER!!!!!!!!
1995 Dodge High Line Neon 4 Dr, 5 spd, DOHC race tuned, 198 HP, V8 Mustang
gobble, V6 Camaro gobble, burp!!! - Not hungry for a Vette yet, but working
on it!!!
Lil' Red Express Truck and Warlock Truck, both aquired at an auction for
re-sale to make more money for my other project truck.
MECP Certified Car Audio Installer and Design.
"bullbehr" <noad...@ihatejunkmail.com> wrote in message
news:noaddress-ya024080...@news.1starnet.com...
> "While the PT is *NOT* (((emphasis added by me))) built off the Neon
> platform and shares few parts with it, that subcompact sedan was a
starting
> point for many of the Cruiser's systems."
>
wi...@neons.org
Richard Flow <Flo...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>You're right. Nothing but maybe some nuts and bolts are interchangeable
>with a Neon. Even the 2.4L engine is not available in a Neon. No body
>panels, interiors pieces, nothing is Neon.
And the rear suspension on the
>PT is totally unique and different from any other Chrysler car.
the rear suspension was developed by one of the better known Neon
racers too ;)
I think the
>assembly plant it shared in Toluca was for the Sebring convertible, not the
>Neon. Now they have pulled the Sebring out and it's all PT so now maybe
>those that have waited for months (like me) to get their PT....there is
>light at the end of the tunnel.
Nope, it was the Neon plant in Toluca, atleast the one that the previous
generation of Neon was produced at.
a tidbit of info, one of the few reasons the PT wasnt built in
Belvidere (the location they originally wanted to build it) is that the
paint tubs, where they do all the painting of the vehicles, were not
deep enough to accomodate the height of the PT.
-Matt Wiggins
Troy
generation was introduced. and, toluca is where the sebring
convertible had been built but has either ended or will shortly as
production of the new convertible shifts to sterling heights michigan.
In article <8kudss$60e$1...@news.iastate.edu>,
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Lloyd R. Parker
: You're right. Nothing but maybe some nuts and bolts are interchangeable
: with a Neon. Even the 2.4L engine is not available in a Neon. No body
: panels, interiors pieces, nothing is Neon. And the rear suspension on the
: assembly plant it shared in Toluca was for the Sebring convertible, not the
: Neon.
Neons were made there too, most notably the Neon R/T, I believe.
: Now they have pulled the Sebring out and it's all PT so now maybe
: those that have waited for months (like me) to get their PT....there is
: light at the end of the tunnel.
:
:
C/D also makes this point in their test. Said "they were led to believe
it was based on the Neon but except for a few minor parts it's not."
However, note that PTs exported do use the Neon's 2.0 L engine.
zair
drove like one. It also had bad wind noise. I was not impressed. My wife is
looking to replace her 96 voyager. But after driving a PT she crossed that
one off her list.
Sean in Canada <ad...@sdsgf.com> wrote in message
news:L_wc5.91160$W35.2...@news20.bellglobal.com...
Richard Flow
was made there but the factory is shut down the last 2 weeks of this month
to retool and it'll be all PT Cruiser. The Sebring is moving to Ohio I
believe.
Rick
"Lloyd R. Parker" <lpa...@emory.edu> wrote in message
news:8kv5h2$pl1$1...@jet.cc.emory.edu...
Richard Flow
and it too had a lot of wind noise until I slid both cross bars to the back
then it disappeared.
Rick
"zair" <a...@where.com> wrote in message
news:8l0g3...@enews4.newsguy.com...
Lloyd R. Parker
: The Neons haven't been made there in quite awhile. The Sebring Convertible
: was made there but the factory is shut down the last 2 weeks of this month
: to retool and it'll be all PT Cruiser. The Sebring is moving to Ohio I
: believe.
Neons were made there before the new model began last year. The factory
is running full speed making PTs now (and got up to full speed in record
time). The Sebring convertible will be made at the same Sterling Heights
Michigan plant as the Sebring sedan and Stratus sedan.
:
: Rick
:
: