PT Cruisers??
Author
Discussion

elephantstone

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

186 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
I know they are hated by pretty much everyone on here but is there anything else sub 3k apart from the neon (and a massive v8) that you can get thats american? Ive always quite liked them and the neon r/t in terms of just something abit tacky and different.. Also the fact i earn a grand a month mean i simply cant afford to run a v8. frown

Whats are they both like to drive?

VEA

4,792 posts

230 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
st!

Get something you can afford!

GB123

231 posts

182 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Can't speak for the PT, but the Neon is horrific to drive and the interior is all cheap and plasticy and looks horrible; basically a horrible car overall. hehe


Andrew_M

1,111 posts

248 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
I have driven the PT cruiser, a diesel I think. The steering lock was shocking!!! There are more offensive car's to own TBH... How about a lexus?

Pimp http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

chrisispringles

893 posts

194 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
What about a Ford Explorer? They can be had for ~£1-1.5k and are far more interesting than any nasty mini mpv or small saloon.

LuS1fer

43,505 posts

274 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
PLEASE don't buy them because they're American because you will be shunned by any "real" American car owner or greeted by a bunch of sad weirdos who like sticking tat all over their car. Neons are for OAPs and are the American Proton.

Take your research and look at later Mustang V6s from about 1998-on, preferably one where the head gaskets have been done. These are extremely undervalued and go for peanuts. Despite being a V6 you'll get similar economy to a 4 pot PT Cruiser and possibly cheaper insurance through companies like Classicline or Graham Sykes.

In addition, VEL is only £205 a year on all American imports, less than a UK registeed PT or Neon IIRC.

The same applies to 1998-on Camaro 4th gen V6s which have 200hp and you can save money by servicing them yourself - basically oil changes. My friend bought a 2000 Camaro 3.8 for £3k.

Pat H

8,058 posts

285 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Neons and PT Cruisers are ghastly things.

If it has to be American (and God alone knows why...) then for less than £3000 it has to be a Jeep.

I recently sold this old horse for £750 with 75,000 miles on the clock.

Comfy as a sofa, unstoppable in the rough and a lovely powerful 4 litre six that sounded great.

You will, however, need shares in Exxon and a tolerance of wonky electrics and chocolate differentials.

I loved mine.


elephantstone

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

186 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Hmm i thought would be shocking, to be honest they only appeal cos of how cheap they can be had with relative spec. My leased car goes in a year so i am saving up to buy something to free up some money to move out.. Will probably end up with a hot hatch of some description and certainly not a 4.0 ford explorer haha.

elephantstone

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

186 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
PLEASE don't buy them because they're American because you will be shunned by any "real" American car owner or greeted by a bunch of sad weirdos who like sticking tat all over their car. Neons are for OAPs and are the American Proton.

Take your research and look at later Mustang V6s from about 1998-on, preferably one where the head gaskets have been done. These are extremely undervalued and go for peanuts. Despite being a V6 you'll get similar economy to a 4 pot PT Cruiser and possibly cheaper insurance through companies like Classicline or Graham Sykes.

In addition, VEL is only £205 a year on all American imports, less than a UK registeed PT or Neon IIRC.

The same applies to 1998-on Camaro 4th gen V6s which have 200hp and you can save money by servicing them yourself - basically oil changes. My friend bought a 2000 Camaro 3.8 for £3k.
Interesting about the mustang, i will take a look. Ive got a mustang tattoo on my wrist so would be nice to actually own one!

LuS1fer

43,505 posts

274 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
I have a Mk III Golf GTI as a "daily sh*tt*r" and I get loads of fun out of that and I paid £700 for it. It's only an 8v and no ball of fire but it can be driven at 100%, has great chuckability and keeps up with better stuff across country and BONUS, you can see out of it. Insurance is reasonable too. Some good Alfas out there too in budget.

fathomfive

11,220 posts

219 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
PT Crusiers are great if you have big arms.

J4CKO

46,824 posts

229 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
I have a Mk III Golf GTI as a "daily sh*tt*r" and I get loads of fun out of that and I paid £700 for it. It's only an 8v and no ball of fire but it can be driven at 100%, has great chuckability and keeps up with better stuff across country and BONUS, you can see out of it. Insurance is reasonable too. Some good Alfas out there too in budget.
This, but get a MK2 !

GB123

231 posts

182 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
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I was also going to recommend a Golf GTI of some description, great cars! biggrin

Dr Doofenshmirtz

16,952 posts

229 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Don't, because people will laugh at you.

marcosgt

11,498 posts

205 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Rubbish vehicles.

We had one on a skiing holiday in the States.

Not roomy, not well made, not attractive, not quick.

Not sure what you're looking for in an American car, but judging by the PT Cruiser it might be worth buying an Eighties Yugo if you want the virtues at a cheaper price.

M.

LuS1fer

43,505 posts

274 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
LuS1fer said:
I have a Mk III Golf GTI as a "daily sh*tt*r" and I get loads of fun out of that and I paid £700 for it. It's only an 8v and no ball of fire but it can be driven at 100%, has great chuckability and keeps up with better stuff across country and BONUS, you can see out of it. Insurance is reasonable too. Some good Alfas out there too in budget.
This, but get a MK2 !
Good Mk IIs are far more expensive though and obviously older. My 96 hasn't exactly been trouble free with a snapped clutch cable, new discs and pads, new front springs and strut top mounts and it's just needed its first £200 worth of welding for the MOT so budget accordingly. Driven properly, it can also go through tyres every 8000 miles. The good thing is parts are pretty cheap.

vixen1700

29,014 posts

299 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Go to Whitby over the Goth weekend in October and you'll see loads of Cruisers, as they're very popular with Goths. smile

Black & purple ones mostly.

vixen1700

29,014 posts

299 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C228565

For your £3k budget you could get this. smile

marcosgt

11,498 posts

205 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
Do they rust too or is "This Corrosion" thing overstated? smile

M

GB123

231 posts

182 months

Thursday 7th July 2011
quotequote all
vixen1700 said:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C228565

For your £3k budget you could get this. smile
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2987889.htm

Or this! biggrin