Plymouth Prowler what are they really like to own?

Plymouth Prowler what are they really like to own?

Author
Discussion

Rapid rental

Original Poster:

462 posts

221 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
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Hi all, I quite fancy one of these but there do not seem to be many for sale? Are the nice to drive etc any pointers would be appreciated.

LuS1fer

41,082 posts

244 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
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I have never driven one but contemporary road tests suggested they were underpowered next to their V8 brethren.
Look great though.

They came with chrome wheels and they flaked like a snowstorm in the UK climate and were expensive to replace.
My issue was that being only 5'6" tall, they were like a bath tub to sit in.

Me, I'd want a Viper.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/car-design...

Rapid rental

Original Poster:

462 posts

221 months

Monday 10th July 2017
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Thanks for the reply, yes I agree a Viper is a better car but oohhh the cost!

V-Rod

961 posts

189 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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Hi Rapid,

I would say you have to want a Prowler for what they are, a twenty year old American classic that looks like nothing else ever made. The driving position is just like an old hot rod but you do have some creature comforts.

They are pleasant to drive, they can skip a bit as the suspension is very rigid. Many will say they are not very fast, should have had a V8 not a 24V V6 etc, but get the 1999+ model with 250 BHP and at 1280 Ibs in weight you have 0-60 in under 6 seconds which isn't slow by today's standards let alone 20 years ago. Change the centre exhaust box for a Sweet-Thunder and it sounds a good as any V8.
It is only available as a 4 speed auto, which is quite crude although it is tiptronic, its a great cruiser with sharp enough handling and enough power to be fun but there is almost no boot space and its a big car for a 2 seater. Whilst depreciation is zero they can be expensive for what they are and hard to find. I have read of ex-owners that thought they are over rated and then there are current owners that love them, myself included.

There is a great honest review here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gYC0w28uxA

I have also driven the Gen 1, and Gen 2 Vipers, including a modified supercharged version and they are very different beasts, power and grip is phenomenal, feels more like a race car, has a lot more grip although the manual transmission can be quite hard work after a while. If you want an iconic looking brute they are great.

If you want to know anything more specific regarding a Prowler , just ask.

Edit: This was one of the initial reviews based on the prototype:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypJGDjf7z98


Edited by V-Rod on Monday 17th July 23:03

V-Rod

961 posts

189 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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An update for anyone interested, I have arranged a meet up so there will be three Prowlers at the the Mopar Euronationals show on Sunday 30th July at Santa Pod.

Mine will be the black one so come and say Hi if you see me.

Cheers, Nick.

Total loss

2,138 posts

226 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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There is a V8 Prowler in the UK, its had a 420 bhp LS3 engine conversion + other mods , done in the UK

Z28DUNC

155 posts

149 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Total loss said:
There is a V8 Prowler in the UK, its had a 420 bhp LS3 engine conversion + other mods , done in the UK
Ha, I heard this go past me the other week and thought that sounds nice for a V6! Thats right by where a live. I think a bloke called Richard from memory works round there, saw him doing a LS3 conversion on a Esprit. Wonder if he's done the conversion on this?

Total loss

2,138 posts

226 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Z28DUNC said:
Total loss said:
There is a V8 Prowler in the UK, its had a 420 bhp LS3 engine conversion + other mods , done in the UK
Ha, I heard this go past me the other week and thought that sounds nice for a V6! Thats right by where a live. I think a bloke called Richard from memory works round there, saw him doing a LS3 conversion on a Esprit. Wonder if he's done the conversion on this?
No, done down in Hampshire by Andy Robinson race cars


Z28DUNC

155 posts

149 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Total loss said:
No, done down in Hampshire by Andy Robinson race cars
Thats a bizarre coincidence then! Looks awesome in photos and is stunning in the flesh.

V-Rod

961 posts

189 months

Thursday 27th July 2017
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What a brilliant conversion to do, looks really nice thumbup

Mexican cuties

686 posts

121 months

Saturday 29th July 2017
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loved ours, be interesting to see if its one of the 3 this Sunday, was purple and reg number r99 wow, and think the guy who had it from us still had it recently, and that was going back a few years ago.

lovely looking car and something different. hope the weather holds out for Sunday, we will be in our challenger, see you there

V-Rod

961 posts

189 months

Sunday 30th July 2017
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Mexican cuties said:
loved ours, be interesting to see if its one of the 3 this Sunday, was purple and reg number r99 wow, and think the guy who had it from us still had it recently, and that was going back a few years ago.

lovely looking car and something different. hope the weather holds out for Sunday, we will be in our challenger, see you there
Hi MC, apologies didn't see your message until after we had left otherwise I would have said pop over and say hi.
Was a fantastic day, with some really nice challengers....
Hope you had a great day.
Will put up a new post with some pictures.
Nick