Brooklyn Bob here. So I get a call from Aaron about no internet connection and that he has to run out for some tire show (where there is, of course, free food) and could I update the blog. Every event this dude goes to has free chow. I have no idea how Aaron isn't a really, really big man.
Anyway, I noticed that the rumors lately were about Chrysler giving the boot to some vehicles. Specifically, the Dodge Magnum, PT Cruiser and Pacifica.
We tested those recently(ish) and were, on average, slightly better than so-so about them. Here's what we've tested:You guys have any thoughts on these vehicles? How about the rumor about Chrysler giving some models the boot By the way, that's a snap of the 2007 PT Cruiser convertible. --Brooklyn Bob
UPDATE: It's no longer speculation, it's true: Chrysler will cut the Dodge Magnum, Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Crossfire, and Chrysler Pacifica. They have also confirmed that the Dodge Challenger is still on its way to production, as is the Dodge Journey crossover SUV. -- Aaron Gold
If Chrysler retired all their ugly looking cars, they’d give most of them the boot. How about booting their design staff? Investing in better quality control would help, too.
I can understand scrapping the PT CRUISER.But,they sold a lot of them,so someone must like them.As for me,I love my MAGNUM.It has GPS,SIRRIUS,HEMI,ETC.The only gripe I have is,there is no way to get 4 golf bags in the cargo area,unless you drop the seat,thereby having room for only three riders.As for gas mileage,I get 19 city and 23 highway with ac running.I don’t drive less than 70 on the highway.
The obvious ones to axe are the Pacifica and the Aspen. The PT Cruiser has a great following and could be an even greater cash cow if Chrysler would redesign the thing. Talk about neglect.
But it’s sad to see the Magnum go because it actually captured some of the manliness that Dodge’s PR team kept shoving down our throat. I would have definitely considered it as a family vehicle.
What Dodge NEEDS to deep-six is it’s interior design team.
Apologies, I meant the entire Chrysler interior design team.
The Corporate Offices should sell off all assets, pay off the stockholders and invest the rest in turnip farms. They couldn’t do worse at that than making cars.
on my second magnum first one had a six 6 and a RT. I’ve never owned before this two
same models the RT as I’m concerned it’s good gas mileage for a performance and handling. in town 20 on the highway 25 26,no complaints.I grew up on Woodward in the sixties, now I am in my sixties.still like good looking cars and some performance.
all there doing is looking at profits not what people really want.I would’ve bought a PT if it was about the size of the small minivan. so if they don’t the magnum in the future maybe I will buy an import which have never done so far,I have always bought American name and most of have been Chrysler cars that could all changed now.
Some of you may have read my scathing blog about the the PT Cruiser when the guy up in BC test drove it… but it still sells and there’s plenty of new ones out there. But when you have a winner, why dump it? I won’t miss it but I’m sure many will. As for the Magnum, I always liked that stylng.I guess I find it the best looking station wagon ever. The Pacifica says boring to me… it won’t missed by the millions who didn’t buy it. It can go quietly into the night.
Leave the Magnum & PT alone just update them. What CHRYSLER really should do is bring back the JEEPSTER! The dies should be around somewhere! Use the roll bar styling from the 07 PT convert, leave the rear wheel where it was on the ole JEEPSTER & produce it with a hand raised top, as the ole one had and black interior with FLAME RED, ORANGE and bright VIOLET body colours!
I am 83 yrs young and I would buy one NOW. I loved my old JEEPSTER in the late 40s & early 50s! Hell, it was a “chick” pickup then and might help me now!
The PT was and still is a good small all pourpose car at a decent price. My complaint is that they lost intrest in this little cash cow and let it become outdated and old as well as never updating the mileage preformance.For a car this small it should be getting 25/32 at the very least.
They should sell off the Jeep brand. All they have done with it thus far is destroy the name.
Billie Joe at your age there’s two sure fire things that’ll get those chicks running your way and it ain’t no Jeepster…for the young one you need to win the Powerball lottery…for the older one’s, a bit closer to your age, just show off that Viagra bottle!
Is Chrysler asking for suggestions? Okay, how about the Aspen, the Durango, the Caliber and the Avenger? Of course, these are in addition to the 3 you already listed. The Aspen/Durango are just plain ugly, the Caliber is the second ugliest car on the road and the Avenger, well what is that meant to be anyway? If Chrysler is ‘retiring’ models, how about retiring some execs. too?
I’m on my second PT Cruiser and am still in love! Waited as long as possible before buying the first (wanted convertible, turbo-charged). Finally couldn’t wait any longer. Then last year bought the convertible, turbo. It’s a fun car to drive, handles great in the rain and snow. Other than a trunk in the convertible you have to be a contortionist to get into and which only holds about 2 bags of groceries….
It’s not the PT Cruiser that’s dying, it’s the PT Cruiser convertible. The minute they had to put that basket handle on it, it was a failure. Compare it to the VW New Beetle convertible. Which one makes more sense? If the PT convertible is supposed to be “retro”–excuse me, heritage design–where the heck were convertibles/touring cars with roll bars, or whatever Chrysler calls it. Right decision, and the market numbers no doubt confirm–no, inspired–the move. Ditto for the Magnum, slick but as noted, impractical. The Pacifica never made sense, though it seemed like a good idea at the time. And the Crossfire, going, going, gone. Of course. Because Mercedes only let it have the SLK’s handmedown chassis, and everyone who might buy a Crossfire knew it, and so did SLK owners who looked at the Crossfire as what it was, a symbol of German contempt that pervaded the who “merger of equals” arrangement. A shame, because it was a lot of fun. But I’ll bet you can get a used one for a good price.
I have to say I find most of Chrysler’s current cars are just ugly. The PT is a rare exception but they really need to invest some money and update it. That seems to be the classic problem with US car companies. They just want keep pumping money out of a car until it is outdated. The PT is such a good idea that GM copied it. The PT is just about the only car they make that I wouldn’t toss.
Chysler doesn’t really need to drop the Mangnum, PT, or PAcifica. What the need to do is get the cars competive with other cars in these groups. I driven a lot of Dodge/Chrysler cars in the last six months since they are flooding the rental market with them to prop up sales and these are the Plus/Minus I see:
Plus -
Neat Edgy/Retro styling
Nice features like satellite radio, MP3 things
Magnum and Pacifica are comfy seating.
Minus -
Cheap crappo plastic everywhere
Nice features are extra $$$$ and typically found only on upscale models.
PT cruiser is the most cramped uncomfortable interior in it’s class
Cruise control is a crappy little stick that is in the way of everthing else.
Cars are too noisy!
MILAGE SUX
Fix the problems and these cars just might end up somewhere besides Avis and Budget.
According to this mornings paper,Chrysler has made ANOTHER stupid decision.They chose to scrap a few of their models with no regard for the people that bought them.Although I am very satisfied with my Magnum,by stopping production,they have reduced my resale or trade-in value to around $1.95.This blatant disregard for customers will ultimately cause the downfall of Chrysler.And well it should.In my opinion.they are a commodity that has outlived their usefulness.I would never buy another vehicle from this company(I can’t use the word I would prefer)They love to sell you the vehicle,but after that,you no longer exist.That is until trade-in time rolls around.You may think this posting represents a very bitter person,and you would be correct!!!Bye-bye Chrysler.
Joe T., sometime or another, every car company has to drop one car line or another. They can’t keep making them just because those who own earlier models might lose resale value. That would be a loyalty that would be overwhelmingly expensive, eventually putting the company out of business from selling unprofitable models. And if you think your car is losing money from being a discontinued model of a live company, think of what would happen if the company goes belly up and leaves your car an orphan.
Most of these models don’t need to be dropped, they just need to be redesigned. I agree that the Durango is ugly. It needs to be completely redesigned to be competitive with Ford and Chev. The PT has been a great selling car, but as so many have stated, has been basically neglected. It needs a new design. Doesn’t need to be retro, just new.
The Crossfire can go. All the rest of the two-seat roadsters will be gone in a few years too, except for the Corvette. These are certainly cute cars, but they just won’t sell well in a country that loves sedans and SUV’s.
I disagree about the Pacifica never catching on. How many full-size five door three row seating crossover vehicles existed prior to 2004? Few if any. The problem is that all the other companies released vehicles in that class that addressed the Pacifica’s shortcomings. Chrysler never updated. Now it’s either redesign, or drop. If they think the new Dodge Journey will take it’s place, they’re wrong.
The Dodge Caliber either needs to be dropped now, or a new line of small cars needs to be added now…..not next year or the year after. Whoever decided that dropping small car production, probably the biggest car market in the US right now, if favor of this ugly POS should be shot with extreme prejudice!
The Magnum could have been a station wagon and an outstanding alternative for families who don’t want minivans and crossovers. It’s problems were a blase interior, an over-tapered rear roofline, and it’s front end design. Whoever decided that the front of a Ram pickup would look good on a passenger car should be tested for drugs. They’re smoking crack. Given a decent front end design, a better appointed interior, and more practical rear roofline for better rear access and interior space, or at least some body lines somewhere, it could have been a great station wagon……….oops, sorry. I guess we’re not supposed to use that term anymore. I forgot the words Station Wagon are taboo today.
I forgot to mention the Avenger/Sebring. The mid-size market is also huge in this country. The Poniac Aztek is the ugliest car ever built. The Dodge Caliber comes in a close second, and the current Sebring has got to be third. Literally every other manufacturers offerings in this class look better than the Avenger/Sebring, and that’s saying a lot for Kia. Although the Avenger is marginally better looking, the baby Charger look has just got to go. It doesn’t even work that well on the Charger.
While I’m on that rant, I find it absolutely amazing that the New Challenger is being brought to market, when only two years ago, Chrysler staunchly refused to build a two-door Charger because, in the words of its design chief, Trevor Creed, “there just isn’t a market for two-door cars today.” Since when?!!! I happen to love two-door cars. I think they look cool. It’s all I’d drive if I could actually find one! Too bad the only options I have are either a Nissan, Honda or Pontiac G6. The Charger has been moderately successful as a sedan. Imagine what could happen if they actually gave people a choice of either two or four door? This car could be a sales hit like no other. For every person I know who has or likes the current Charger sedan, I know of at least four others who absolutely won’t buy it because it isn’t a two-door.
Eric, I don’t know if all those 2 seat roadsters are going to be gone in a few years,other than the Corvette.I still think there’s room for well executed 2 seaters like the Miata/Solstice/Sky, or maybe that little 2 seater that Chryco’s been talkin’ about. There’s always those of us who want affordable genuine personal transportation. Of course,our Mini hasn’t had it rear seats up since we bought it, so it may as well be a 2 seater.
By the way, I just test drove the Smart for 2…but I’ll save that review for later (hint: it isn’t awe inspiring).
I’d bet it isn’t Don. I’ve only talked to a few people who have tested it, and they weren’t impressed either.
OK Eric..here it is. I can sum up my driving experience with one word…PRIMITIVE…and this comes from a guy who spent 4 years in Russia driving Ladas, Zaparovetz’, Volgas and others. Actually, the Volga is way more sophisticated thabn this car. On a scale of 1-5(1=lowest):
Acceleration:2
Handling:2
Transmission:1
Interior finish:3
Interior room:1
Fun to Drive:1
Image (among tree huggers):5+
Value:2
Like I said it was less than inspiring. Personally, I feel if you bought this instead of a Fit or Yaris that only cost a couple of grand more, then you’re out there trying to make a statement and nothing else. I’d rather give up the 10 mpg and drive a real world car and not have to put up with the horrible shifting of this car. This car can only be cansidered a move up, if you’re driving Fred Flintstone’s car(which I suspect gives unbelievably good mileage!!!