2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser - Review

Jonathan McGrew

Contributing Writer BIO

Jonathan McGrew has had a steering wheel in his hands since before he could walk. It was inevitable that he would start racing, earning recognition... More

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6,994 views April 19, 2009

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

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At the 1999 Detroit Auto Show Chrysler sparked a retro love affair with the debut of the PT Cruiser that would end up lasting more than eight years (and still counting). The Chrysler PT Cruiser was a big success for the car company and the proof was in the pudding with people jamming into dealerships wanting to place their order for this ‘30s style retro classic. Now fast-forward to the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser…no not much has changed, it is still the style of the past blended with the modern amenities of today. After more than eight years with little differences between model years (and the demise of the convertible for 2009) is the PT Cruiser getting a little long in the tooth?

Let’s review this modern classic and see what we have to work with. We have covered that the PT Cruiser still turns heads with it styling—I mean, you have even been able to get this cars as a woody and it actually looked good (unlike the LeBaron K cars of the ‘80s). Having driven several of these cars over the years, mostly as part of rental fleets, I agree with TheCarConnection.com’s take that the “PT Cruiser wagon offers passable acceleration but not much more.” I found this out the hard way trying to merge onto a one-lane road from a t-junction in the Sonoma Wine Country. So the 2.4-liter’s 150-horespower could leave you wanting more, however Chrysler has those of you that can’t live without more get-up-and-go covered. The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited comes standard with the 2.4-liter turbocharged motor that gives you a 30 hp increase.