2000 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited review from North America

None.

My introduction to the PT came at a local mall where one was on display/ I loved it from the first minute. I directly purchased one from our dealer here in Fremont. I purchased in April, and it was delivered in September. At that time, I could have sold it for $5,000 more than I paid for it, as the waiting list has stretched even longer, and the dealer was requiring a $4,000 additional payment if they delivered your car off the floor.

I drove this car for the first time on its delivery day. It was perfect in every way. Acceleration is not as brisk as my 1941 Chevy Coupe, but I've got a pumped 350 in that and it's where I go for speed anyway. I never expected the PT to be a hot rod.

Among the wonderful aspects of this care are its brakes, which are uncanny. It seems that the engineers have harnessed some kind of "anti-motion force and that is used when necessary. High rates of motion simply disappear when required. I swear to you, the brakes are phenomenal. I took a group of guys out to lunch right after I'd gotten this car. There were 5 of us (it will seat 5 large guys, honestly) and they gave me the usual hard time about my worthless Chrysler product. I commented on the brakes, which drew catcalls: they had to be shown. It was rainy and there was some standing water on the streets. When I knew it was safe, I smashed the brakes to the floor at 50MPH. The loudest critic left a 1/2" deep nose print on the back of my headrest. He didn't have a lot to say after that, or possibly we just couldn't understand him).

The styling is wonderful, the comforts are all there, the engine is zippy and easy to the touch, and all the controls are in the right places. The color is to be envied by any hot rodder, the wheels are cool, and the upholstery set with suede leather inserts to hold the occupant in place during spirited driving occasions.

The overall fit and finish is of the highest caliber, and I still love it the way I did on the first occasion, when I bought and paid for it without ever trying it first. Like some Shakespeare plot where the lovers commit to one another for eternity without so much as a kiss, my little PT has proved to be the truest heart of my driving love.