> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I am leaving in northern california and I was considering buying a used
> car (to use a a second commute car) around $8000 untilI found this ad
> for brand new 2006 PT cruisers at $13000.
> Of course it is $5000 more dollars but it's a new car.
>
> I do not know anything about cars and actually do not really want to
> know but I would appreciate having any advice about this PT cruiser.
>
> Any known issue with the 2006 edition justifying why they sell it at
> this price?
> Any major known major cons with the PT cruiser?
>
> Thanks in advance for your help,
> Charles
>

The PT Cruiser is the base model in the Chrysler line and serves as the loss
leader. With incentives, they can be purchased relatively inexpensively.

One of the factors influencing the cost of the car is the amount of
decontenting which has been done with it. In 2002 (my model year) even the
base model came nicely equipped. Air conditioning, power windows and the
radio/cd player were all standard. Now some of the past standard items such
as a/c are extra cost options.

Historically, the PT Cruiser has been fairly reliable, both my wifes and
mine have been very reliable and we are pleased with them. If you are
planning to use the car as a commuting vehicle, be prepared for the gas
cost, mileage on the PT Cruiser is poor, a factor of the heavy weight and
large frontal area of the car. The PT is about as aerodynamic as a brick.
If you were planning for commuting and didn't want your budget eaten up by
fuel costs, you might want to consider another vehicle.

That said, I love mine. It has lots of room for a small car and gets
reasonably good highway mileage. We just took a trip to Western NC and
averaged about 28-30 mpg.