October 11th, 2007 • by Rich
Before any more time passes I want to thank everyone that was instrumental in pulling off the Allpar/Slant Six meet. It really was a fun time and I hope to come back next year. There was a nice variety of vehicles and everyone seemed to take an interest in each others’ rides. Probably the question that surprised me most was whether or not mine was a factory color – though it’s true I don’t see many Plum PT’s. This was the first show I’ve particpated in, but the ones I ‘spectate’ at locally have many one or two ‘token’ Mopars, so to be surrounded by them was nice. We got to stay through the awards but unfortunately had to split before the raffles were done. Next year we’ll try to stay to the very end…
I really do recommend it, especially if you’ve never shown a car before. Dave advertised it as a ‘low pressure’ meet and it certainly was, If you’re in the Jersey area definitely consider attending, you’ll have fun. Plus, you’ll put faces to (screen) names that you’ve been chatting with here on Allpar!
August 30th, 2007 • by Rich
The above is one of the most pressing product questions facing many Mopar fans, especially us PT owners. The questions have only gotten louder with the to-be-built-in Toluca Dodge Journey being introduced. What will Chrysler do? Will they allow the current iteration to soldier on as a cheap-to-produce cash cow like the M and L bodies of old and then kill it off? Will they retire the name and bring out a Journey-based crossover with no retro cues? Or, worst of all, *not* retire the name, and bring out a Journey-based crossover with no retro cues?
What *should* they do? In my opinion, any “PT Cruiser” has to have a decidely retro feel to it. The Journey is very modern in the exterior especially, leaving room for Chrysler to continue the retromobile. The Journey also has a symmetrical instrument panel…so that theme can continue as well. While it is true that a PT based on the Journey would be significantly larger than one based on a Caliber, it would also follow Chrysler’s upmarket movement, without much of an MPG hit, if any, based on the estimates. This would,in my opinion, be the best option. A new PT Cruiser, complete with retro flair, and not competing with the entry level Compass/Caliber/Patriot. If you like this option, sign the Save the PT Petition at http://www.savethept.com/ !
Next, surprisingly, would be just building out the current vehicle until the line was needed elsewhere, or it was no longer profitable. They’d certainly get their moneys’ worth out of the current iteration, though we’d see little in innovaton and likely further decontenting. Thus would end the PT Cruiser, with the “replacement” being called something completely different and having no retro cues. It would, however, not sully what the PT Cruiser essentially is, and avoid the “then they stuffed it up” syndrome.
The worst option would be showing a complete disregard for what the name has built and ignorance of the brand by carrying over the name on a vehicle that shares nothing, in spirit, with the original. This would saddle the new vehicle with double baggage; PT Cruiser fans would say “That’s not a PT Cruiser!” and non fans would say “I hate PT Cruisers!” In the end you’d have a vehicle with an uncertain identity and, quite possibly, damaged chances for success.
We’ll find out how different the New Chrysler really is; as Option #3 is the type of boneheaded move the “Old Chrysler” was all too good at.
Please guys, get it right.
The PT was very good for Chrysler.
Do right by it.
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