Chrysler PT Cruiser Special Edition

By Alborz Fallah | September 28th, 2009

We’ll be the first to admit that the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which feels like it has been around forever, is starting to show its age. The world first saw the PT Cruiser back in 2000 and so far over 7000 Australians have taken one home, joining over 1,300,000 buyers worldwide.

Despite its age, if you’ve ever wanted to own this iconic car now is the perfect time with the arrival of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Special Edition starting from $29,990 drive away (manual).

The Special Edition PT Cruiser is based on the PT Cruiser touring and is powered by the same 2.4-litre engine which produces 105 kW and 214 Nm of torque. It will be available either as a 5-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.

On top of its standard features, the SE includes a six-disc CD player 368-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system, power sunroof, new SRT designed wheels and interior upgrades.

Chrysler Australia says only a handful of the limited edition models are destined for Australia and subsequently, the cars are only available in “Brilliant Black”.

On the inside there is seat fabric, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satin-silver finished gauge cluster with chromed rings and new floor mats.

Chrysler is limiting production of its factory-customised PT Cruiser and only a handful of these vehicles are making their way to Australia.

2009 Special Edition PT Cruiser, unique equipment:

Brilliant Black exterior paint only
Unique 17-inch SRT Design wheels
Unique bright upper grille
Chrome body side trim spars, front accents and door lock knobs
Unique premium cloth with heated front seats
Leather wrapped steering wheel with bright spokes
AM/FM/6-disc CD audio system
6-Boston Acoustics premium speakers and 368-watt amplifier
Sunroof
Deep tint sunscreen glass
Unique floor mats

2009 Special Edition PT Cruiser Pricing

The Base Vehicle Price (BVP) is $29,990 for the 5-speed manual
$31,990 for the 4-speed automatic variant.

Nige

I just vomited in my mouth a little.
NacaYoda

It needs a 2.4lt engine to get 105kW?
How much juice do these puppies use?!
I think I’d buy a 2nd hand diesel X-TRAIL over one of these.
Actually, anything 2nd hand in the same price bracket might prove better…
Obviously, I’m no fan

Shak

I dont think the other 7000 people who bought one were fans either. They were conned by the dealer into thinking this is something ‘cool’p people drive. Im with you on the 2.4l thing. C’mon a 1.8l corolla makes a bout the same. If chrylser is to survive they need to inject a bit of Fiat right now!!!!!!

Cameron

“Brilliant Black” ???
Just about sums this thing up – rather dull.
Not only do you compromise on engine performance and efficiency, there is very little useable space inside these things. Chrysler is not known for efficiency.
Jimmy

This car embodies everything that is wrong with auto industry.
NacaYoda

I feel sorry for the Dealers trying to make a living off this dinosaur.
KingCobra

I dont understand the hate, its a honest, feel-good car which is practical and economical and not Jap boring. People like to have something a bit different from all the cookie-cutter cars out there. Good on ‘em.

toxic_horse

It’s just ugly, and has a gutless engine as well.
D

But look at that grill- it is hideous!

Mark

Chrysler need to get their act together – their website still lists the PT Cruiser cabrio, which hasn’t been in production since 2007!

RdS

thank god. that was one very confused car..
D

They might still have unsold stock left over

Wheelnut®™

If they want to make it a special edition they should give it something special.. like a V6 engine.. its what the Cruiser has really been crying out for.

The PT Cruiser Cabrio was a disaster.. I did however; like the look of the PT Pick Up and the PT Nomad
mad max

These were designed and styled during the period when Chrysler went all retro. The problem with the PT is that it looks kind of 1940′s but it has the power and fuel efficiency of something from the 1940′s. If this was a VW, Audi or even something from Japan, it would probably have all wheel drive with some powerfull turbo engine and use mid 7′s/100 k’s. What you see with this car (and a lot of Chrysler’s) is why they went into chapter 11. FIAT have a lot of work to do…
Sam 300TD

Fail. I’d rather my 1981 300TD anyday. Sorry Chrysler.
The Realist

I still cannot grasp why anyone would want to purchase such hideous vehicles.

Hellboy

Some fine points in the “Negative” camp (re – Engine Comments – c’mon, can’t we at least have the BASE Turbo option on this Special Ed – if not the High Output Turbo) but every other post either shows a) an overwhelming ignorance of the car, or b) a personal Bias that means something only to the owner of said Bias.

So:

a) “very little useable space inside these things”
My God! The PT has over 30 different seating configs, including taking the damn things out! (They roll away on wheels like Airport Luggage) and speaking as a Professional Musician who needs our entire set of (Duo) equipment – PA & Instruments – stored, it is EASILY the most practical car of it’s size I have ever owned – or seen.

b) “The Looks” – subjective. You either Love it or hate it – which is EXACTLY the kind of reaction I want from a car I own, as opposed to another safe, boring, Committee-and-Wind-Tunnel-styled Yawnfest from most other Car Manufacturers in it’s class.

http://alaurie@bucklebelts.com Avril Laurie

Can anyone please give me some contructive helpful advise. Bought a PT 2.4l in May 2005. Never been happy with the performance of the air conditioner. After the dealer checking it about three times in it’s small 61,000 lifespan to date I took it to an independant auto electician who told me it required a new engine fan as it went too slow before he could top up the gas. The dealer said that was just his opinion and said a new fan would cost me $1,300. Forgive me for my lack of car knowledge but I don’t believe a car under 5 year old which has only done 61,000 around Melbourne should need a new engine fan. The three year warrantly check said everything was fine and again in Nov09 said cooler system was checked and reported fine by the dealer. Please help
HyundaiSmoke

Avril, just do what Americans do with Chyrslers now and trade it in for a Hyundai. Trust me, youll save so much trouble in the long run. Please, I beg of you to trade it in. My brother owns a PT cruiser he will trade it in the first minute the payments stop. Its horrible. Youd be so much better off with an Accent or an i20.

From an American viewpoint, Chrysler is a horrible company and we should just get rid of it. Id rather shop foreign than to support a cmpany that makes our technology and everything we’ve worked for look 3rd world.

I grew up in a Chrysler family, but Im a proud Hyundai owner now. Hyundai is the more fuel efficient more relevant to the times Chrysler.
Tone

I’m with Hellboy.

The comments above reflect ignorance and a complete lack of knowledge. I love this car, so does my wife. So does my 6 yr old. I own a Porsche, a Harley and a Daewoo Lanos for running around, and this car outstyles and out-plays the lot of them, If I had to make a choice, we would keep the PT.

And all the above comments are the reason I bought one. Nothing says d–khead more than a paint-by-numbers piece of plastic that looks like every other car. Have fun with your Hyundais, Commodores, Suzukis and Falcons. I’ll be in the left hand lane watching you clones rush past.
Mark

Got one of these for my wife.
As soon as we got it I had it lowered just one inch front and 1.5 on the rear.
Put extractors and exhaust (still quiet)
Had it re-tuned (Got rid of the original software they do).
I now doubt there will be any standard or non turbo 6 cylinder out there that will keep up with this PT.
I drive a 2002 5.7 ltr holden and can’t loose it till we hit at least 140 k’s
Exhaust and Tune is all they need.