2009 Jeep Patriot - Basic no frills - what should I pay for this?

[2Design]

What is the real price?
What are the reviews on this car?

My choices are
1. 2009 PT Cruiser with stick shift
2. 2009 Jeep Patriot
3. 2009 Chevy HHR

Currently have a 2003 PT Cruiser that is dead in my driveway - engine check light and engine died right in front of my house on Friday night upon returning home.

Any other suggestions for a car/truck type combo like the pt cruiser?

[merh]

1. why woud you want a pt cruiser if your's died after only 6 years

:shrug:

[2Design]

4. I have 113,000 miles on it - it has been a good car n/t

[merh]

9. 113,000 is not that many miles

unless of course you did no maintenance and just ran it ragged.

[2Design]

11. no I changed the oil regularly and rotated tires - my last car

was a chevy Z24 and it lasted 230,000 with lots of repairs in the second hundred thousand
This car probably can be repaired but from my experience when things start going it becomes unreliable and costs so much to fix that getting something reliable seems to make more sense - I could be wrong -

[obiwan]

50. 113,00 is a lot of miles.

Considering the car is only 7 years old. That's 16,000+ miles a year.

The car is used up.

[2Design]

53. I like to travel - and that was my thought with the way I use a car

I put a lot of miles on cars because I go places by car - I love driving and seeing things

[Winterblues]

81. I have never heard of a Toyota or Honda that didn't get three hundred thousand miles

or MORE. Try buying a used box truck with less than five hundred thousand miles...In this day and age one hundred thousand miles is barely broke in.

[shanti]

88. that's good to know!

my son just bought a 5 year old honda passport with 150,000 miles on it, for $3000. he thinks he got a good deal on it, but i can't imagine driving a vehicle with that many miles.

[TreasonousBastard]

89. You never knew my three Toyotas that became...

money pits after 100,000 miles.

(One made it to 225,000 before the transmission blew out.)

[DainBramaged]

121. Then you must live in a very sheltered world.

[Codeine]

94. Ummm, are you kidding me?

My Corolla has 226,000 miles on it and runs like a top. I'm not picking on American cars (my next ride will be a Dodge Caliber) but being happy with 113,000 miles is just crazy. :crazy:

[DevonRex]

125. My Blazer has over 200,000. The last jeep we had was at 275,000

when my son totaled it.

[theboss]

131. My 2001 Honda has over 160K and seems to be cruising along just find

Knock on Wood.

Your car is prematurely dead.

Have you ever changed the timing belt? That would be my guess.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. Good cars last longer than that

[2Design]

28. at what price are these good cars - cars are so expensive now

that the ones that are affordable are not like a Cadillac or other 'tank' built cars of old - I find most foreign cars in same category to be very cheaply made with the plastic everything that people say are cheap on american cars but acceptable on foreign cars

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

55. Toyotas and Hondas last forever

I just wouldn't recommend the Toyota Echo. That thing sucked. It'd be decent if you lived somewhere without snow, though.

[DevonRex]

126. CHOOSE THE JEEP. My last one got 275,000 before my son totaled it.

It was a basic, no frills, 2-door Cherokee.

[obiwan]

51. "Good" cars cost $25-35,000 new.

The PT is about 1/2 of that.

You get what you pay for.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

56. Corollas and Civics don't cost that much

Neither do Saturns or some VW's.

[datasuspect]

79. well, what do you expect? it's a dodge

a chevy is just broken in at 113,000

[Duke Newcombe]

2. No.s 1 and 3 are going bye-bye (out of production) Real Soon Now.

The Jeep has generally good ratings, though. I'd get that.

[NightWatcher]

3. 2009 toyota matrix 26/32 mpg city/hwy. 16K

[2Design]

5. I am one of those crazy americans who prefers to buy american

I have always found the cheapness of the inside of the other cars is a turn off and have felt disappointed when american cars went that route

[alarimer]

40. The Pontiac Vibe is exactly the same car.

Slightly different body.

Food for thought is that many "American" cars (Chevy Aveo, another Pontiac I cannot remember) are built overseas and then "imported" into the US.

[obiwan]

57. Looks like a Matrix but the Vibe is a GM car, not built by Toyota.

Build quality is much worse than the Toyota. The motor in the Matrix has been around in one form or another for about 30 years. It will run for a long time.

My gearhead friends and I have a nickname for the Vibe- "Son Of Aztek."

IMHO the Vibe is the only car out there that makes the Aztek's styling look good.

[LuckyTheDog]

68. No, it's the same as the Matrix

There is no evidence (except your obvious bias against GM) to back up your claim about the Vibe being inferior in any way.

The same plant makes Corollas and Tacomas (http://www.nummi.com/vehicles.php).

I like the Vibe we have. It's a nice-looking car.

[Codeine]

96. Both the Vibe and the Matrix are made in exactly the same plant,

by the same UAW workers, with the same mechanical specs. The differences are cosmetic and minor.

[obiwan]

58. The Vibe isn't one of those.

It's built in the US.

I participated in a styling study on the Vibe, and they told me it was US-built.

[lumberjack_jeff]

64. I was told by a Pontiac/Toyota dealer that they were the same platform. n/t

[lithiumbomb]

73. yes, in the same plant as the Toyota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NUMMI

[Codeine]

98. It is US-built, UAW-built in fact.

But so is the Toyota Matrix. Same plant, same workers.

[2Design]

8. ok it has a five speed which I want - the fold down seats are good

the pt cruiser with being able to take the seats out - gives you so much height in the trunk that no other car does

[JeanGrey]

Get a VIBE. Same as the Matrix but cheaper.

[bemildred]

6. Pay whatever you like.

There are a lot of crappy vehicles to choose from, and there is no accounting for taste. As long as you can get the money, do what you like.

[flvegan]

7. Dodge Caliber SRT, since you like their products and insist on American.

Not a bad performing ride.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. I've owned bunches of cars. From Ferrari to jeep and everything

in between. By far, the three jeeps were the worst. Buy a Ford pickup. One of the best cars I've ever owned, or, buy a Porsche, also one of the best cars I've ever owned.

British sports cars suck. Italian sports cars suck (except when they actually run). Jeeps just plain are the worst cars I have ever owned!

At least Ferrari's and Lotus's are really, really fun to drive between breakdowns. Jeeps just suck.

[NightWatcher]

12. I put 195K miles on my 2000 Ford Ranger in 5 years (hey, it was Union Made in USA)

then I dropped 3rd gear and it would have cost more to fix than buy anoter one.

I'd love to buy another one. (right now I'm halfway through paying for my 06 Corolla)

[bemildred]

13. Second rec for the Ranger. At least the 2000 Ford Ranger. nt

[Obamanaut]

39. Another rec for Ranger. I've had two, then an F150 that I gave to

my daughter so she would have a vehicle after her divorce. It had 95,000 miles on it when I gave it to her, she drove it for a year then traded for a smaller vehicle - a Ranger.

[madrchsod]

15. here ya go

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/jeep/compass/

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/jeep/patriot/

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/chevrolet/hhr/

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/chrysler/pt_cruiser/

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/dodge/caliber/

my son has a low mileage 2007 caliber--
so far->4000 in repairs

[2Design]

16. are you saying greater than 4000 in repairs already on a 2007 caliber n/t

[madrchsod]

142. yes

[solinvictus]

17. Pontiac Vibe...

...which is a Toyota Matrix rebranded. I'm sorry to say it, but the PT Cruiser and the HHR are both disposable truck-ish things built on bad platforms ( PT Cruiser on the Neon and the HHR on the Cobalt ) and the Jeep consistently ends up on Consumer Reports "don't buy" list for bad reliability.

And for the record, 130K miles is not many on a modern auto. My dad still drives a 1984 Toyota Tercel 4x4 that's got twice that many miles on it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. What's the matter with the Cobalt platform?

It seems like a nice little car to me.

[solinvictus]

25. Cobalt...

Underpowered for the size, engine made in Mexico ( like the Neon ), cheap interior finish and controls, comparatively poor mileage, and if like most small GM cars, it'll fail at 100-120K miles.

[LuckyTheDog]

46. I rented an '08 Cobalt last year

I found it to be much improved from the model I test-drove (and rejected) back in 2005.

[lumberjack_jeff]

63. Oh, I get it.

It sucks because (sniff) it's american. :eyes:

[EOTE]

123. Looks like you've got it.

And remember, the Cobalt is underpowered, yet the heavier and less powerful Vibe and Matrix are muscle cars by comparison. Looks like we've got a lot of really knowledgeable people on this thread. I'm guessing the people complaining about how under powered American cars are will also complain about the Big Three making Challengers, Mustangs and Camaros as well because they just shouldn't be making pony cars what with $2 gas and all. Got to find something to be angry at, after all.

[LuckyTheDog]

36. The Vibe is a great car

Designed by Toyota, but built by the UAW. Best of both worlds.

[obiwan]

59. Unfortunate styling, though.

The thalidomide baby of American cars.

[LuckyTheDog]

71. I like it.

I think it's a nice-looking little car.

[JeanGrey]

37. I own a Vibe. Fantastic Car. Five years and 100,000 miles

not a single problem, not ONE. And you can haul tons of stuff in it. Vibe's are cheaper than the Matrix and come with more equipment usually.

The idiots changed the 09 Vibe to make it look more like the Matrix (dumb).

I love my Vibe. It also has been in two wrecks and performed outstanding.

[LuckyTheDog]

43. My wife had a 2005 Vibe...

... but it was totaled in an accident in February (luckily, nobody was seriously hurt). She went right out and replaced it with a 2009 Vibe. We both like it a lot -- even though we miss the old Vibe. It died far too young. It had many miles left in it.

[JeanGrey]

61. I love mine! I hate that they changed the body style a little.

I always thought it had more class than the Matrix. It's been a fantastic car and we get great gas mileage - often 35 or more on the freeway.

[lumberjack_jeff]

18. Dodge caliber is the same running gear.

as the patriot/compass, but it gets 30% better mileage. Ours gets 30-31mpg consistently. My father in law's compass gets 24.

If you don't need 4wd, buy a caliber.

[roamer65]

19. If the car's body is still good, replace the engine with a used one.

Do you really want new car debt in this economy?

[2Design]

23. ok if I go that route of new engine, how do I find a good place

I am in Orlando and do not know any car fix places and there are so many scammers and unqualified people. I am afraid I will get the latest construction worker who is out of work who has decided to now be a automobile worker.

That decision of an engine is the one I made when I gave up my Chevrolet z24 with 230,000 which was a great car in much better shape. Most people were shocked it lasted so long and had been a bad car for others but maybe because it was stick shift

This car has had the check engine light on most of the time I have owned it. Right now it needs alignment, headlight, rear tail light, and the left driver door is dented (doesn't bother me) but the rest seems fine. Just wondering with things going bad, what next. Last summer did the battery, in the first 50,000 replaced the car radio/cd but the first 75000 miles were mostly carefree.

Normally cars start breaking about 50,000 but this one did not.

An engine might be the better choice since cars are so pricey - I like driving and traveling though - I like taking road trips. I drove across country in 2006 and part way in 2007.

[NoSheep]

29. This is exciting really, You just need to find a good mechanic. Maybe there is a car club

around where people may know of excellent mechanics who could put in a new or rebuilt motor for you. Check Craig's list or Google it. Ask around. It will be well worth the effort. Getting a new engine in a car that is probably otherwise very good is just a killer idea, especially in this economy. Now I drive a Volvo 240 DL. 1987. It is my second one. It has about 400,000 miles on it. (my other had about 325K when I sold it for $900.)
It looks like hell... but drives like a dream and it's safe and reliable. I wouldn't trade it for anything. If you like your car, just keep it going. My trusted mechanic always says "Can you replace your car for the price of repairing it?". The answer is nope, you can't. Good luck!

[2Design]

32. I looked on craigslist and found I was unable to discern real from

those who need work but aren't great workers - mechanics can be hard to find - I have only had a few good ones over the life of my cars

[NoSheep]

33. I know what you mean. Consider the search a temporary part time job that will pay off in a big way!

[obiwan]

60. Stay away from Craigslist. It's full of shysters.

[2Design]

67. I found my current rental home that way and it is perfect

not all shysters - just must be more discerning -

[we can do it]

42. I Wish I Had My z24 Back I Had 3 All Sticks- No Problems With Any

I mean NONE, only bought oil changes and brake pads. I drove them too, no coddling. Clean wax run.

[2Design]

48. I had two z24 - loved them both - I did have problems with the

first - don't remember what - I had it for 48,000 miles and bought another which was aqua instead of red with strips - less speed tickets - I was hit in a parking lot in the first six months - I seem to have people who love to hit my cars in the first six months. I loved the pickup with the stick shift - I change oil regular on all cars and probably am very easy on clutch although I had to replace the clutch in the z24 in the second 100,000 miles

[Mopar151]

74. Look at a commercially rebuilt engine (reman)

And who sez it needs a new engine? If it just quit, a good tuneup and computer diagnosis may get it back in the pink! Jasper is a prominent brand, I'll look around a bit for others. Typically they reccomend a local installer, there is a serious warranty, and there may be performance upgrades or fixes for common problems available.may be financing, too.
I have a "PT Cruiser" too - mine is a hand-fabricated race car, though! (I tell the collector car snobs that it's a 1/1, with the rare V8 - rear drive option.)
Couple other tips - avoid the mass merchandisers. They invented the upsell (extortion on the side, no lube), and they'll let anybody with a pulse work on your car.
Be fussy about who does your alignment, and what you buy for tires. I've been a dealer alignment tech, and I can make most cars go from Jekyll to Hyde and back with a wrench and a shim or 2 - even "within the specs". There's a lot of science to the art....Cheap tires are like cheap shoes - the money you save initally, you pay back many times over in poor performance.
If you can't find a good shop through reccomendation, look for good local racers in the bays. Pride and a need to excel are pretty good selectors for this sort of thing.

Look at this like a used car manager - what will the car be worth after repairs and detailing? How little can I pay this sucker for it? People will swallow a $1000 loss on a trade to avoid a $100 detail job and a muffler - Stooopid!!!

[Mopar151]

77. Links here

http://www.accurateengines.com/remanufactured-engines/chrysler-dodge/27-engine/
http://webapp.jasperengines.com/netcust/catalog.asp

There is at least 1 PT Cruiser forum, but ya knever know....

[NoSheep]

27. I think that is an excellent suggestion! The OP likes the car's features...

it's recycling!

[roamer65]

30. Ask around at work or ask around at a classic car show.

I have found the best mechanics and shops by asking around at work. Classic car owners also usually know who is good and who isn't.

[2Design]

31. Unfortunately I work from Internet and don't have access to people

maybe I can find a classic car club listed somehow

[csziggy]

44. Here are AAA authorized repair shops in and around Orlando

I don't know anything about them, but this is a starting point.

Fournier's Automotive
845 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32818 [phone]

Goodyear Auto Service Center
601 N Bumby Ave
Orlando, FL 32803 [phone]

Central Florida Lincoln/Mercury
2055 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32854 [phone]

Goodyear Auto Service Center
2575 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32804 [phone]

Ron Jon's Automotive
4854 S Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32806 [phone]

The Car Spa
3155 Clemson Rd
Orlando, FL 32808 [phone]

Advanced Auto Glass
1200 Solana Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789 [phone]

Irish Mike's World Class Automotive
1624 N Forsyth Rd
Orlando, FL 32807 [phone]

Goodyear Auto Service Center
447 S Goldenrod Rd
Orlando, FL 32822 [phone]

Mac's Auto Specialties
549 N Goldenrod Rd
Orlando, FL 32807 [phone]

Tibbitt's Auto Repair & Towing
6400 University Blvd
Winter Park, FL 32792 [phone]

Complete Auto Repair By Cold Air/Muffler
1750 Semoran Blvd
Winter Park, FL 32792 [phone]

Goodyear Auto Service Center
8265 S John Young Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32819 [phone]

Ocoee Tire & Service
8805 W Colonial Dr
Ocoee, FL 34761 [phone]

Phillips Tire and Auto Service, Inc.
8495 S Hwy 17-92
Fern Park, FL 32730 [phone]

Russell Automotive
2500 Pemberton Dr
Apopka, FL 32703 [phone]

Zembower's High Tech Auto Center
956 E Altamonte Dr
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 [phone]

Riker's Automotive & Tire
5700 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32821 [phone]

[2Design]

52. thanks - I found these by just doing a google search

http://orlando.kijiji.com/c-Services-Repair-remodel-car-engine-or-transmission-replacement-with-supplier-warranty-W0QQAdIdZ117728084
This one maybe too far but I have always enjoyed older mechanics because they do a good job and don't charge you an arm and leg.

and this is another http://www.orlandocarspa.com/about.html

[csziggy]

65. I like the sound of the first one and the second is one of the AAA shops

So those look like good choices. Good Luck!

[2Design]

134. how did you get this list - link ? or what ? AAA site?

[LeftyMom]

20. I wouldn't pay more than $5 for any of those three.

Chrysler makes unacceptably unreliable cars (as you've learned,) and the HHR looks like it got beat with a whole forest of ugly sticks, plus the interior is crappy- cheap feeling and badly laid out.

[2Design]

26. actually my pt crusier has been the most reliable car I have had

The first 75000 miles or so were mostly repair free - it has been a great car

[LeftyMom]

45. The first 75,000 miles should be reliable with ANY car.

Mine's got 100K more than that and it's still only needed one non-routine repair (an alternator and belt, set me back about $400 with labor.)

[theboss]

132. If you have a lot of repairs up to $75K, you have a Lemon

This is not 1977 any longer.

[Jack_DeLeon]

22. My girlfriend has an HHR...

Its a pretty decent vehicle.

I personally prefer a regular car with a trunk, but her HHR was pretty useful when she was helping me move some furniture.

[2Design]

24. I truly have enjoyed the ability to pull out the seats in the pt cruiser

and loaded it up with stuff - when I bought it I had been looking at a truck, hatchbacks, vans, and cars - it was a good combo of all of them

[LuckyTheDog]

34. Go for the HHR

Chevy has better quality than Chrysler.

[LuckyTheDog]

38. A better choice

Would be the Ford Edge.

[EOTE]

127. For only about $10,000 more.

I'm guessing that the OP wouldn't have listed the cars that she did if she was looking for a ride that's hard to find new for much under $30,000.

[LuckyTheDog]

136. Is the Edge that expensive?

Never mind, then.

The Vibe is the better sub-$20,000 choice.

[EOTE]

137. Yes. The Escape is far more in line with those other choices.

You can get lesser models under 20k. If I was going with an Escape, I'd get the FWD 4 cylinder manual. Stripped down, they're very good deals. Once you start adding options (especially the V6 and AWD), they become far less of a good deal. The thing is, if you add AWD, the 4 cylinder is fairly under powered, in FWD trim, the 4 cylinder does fine. I've driven the FWD I4 manual and it's a really fun, cheap and utilitarian ride. The Ford/Mazda 2.3 is very torque rich for a 4 banger and moves the relatively light FWD Escape with ease. Combine that with the manual and you've not only got the cheapest Escape configuration, but one of the most fun ones too.

[2Design]

139. Thanks for noticing the choices were in a price range and some

have suggested unlimited price range cars that I would not buy -

[EOTE]

141. Sure thing.

It seems as if you're a Mopar guy/gal. Are you dead set on getting another Mopar? Like others on this thread, economically speaking, I'm pretty sure you'd be better off getting your current car fixed, or at least getting a quote on how much it's likely to cost and weighing that against the cost of a new car. If you do decide to get a new car and you're set on getting a Mopar, if AWD isn't a big issue for you I'd look at Calibers as they tend to be cheaper than the equivalent FWD Jeep and just as capable for the most part. If AWD is essential, you can get a Caliber RT. Not to sound like a purist, but the Compass and the Patriot aren't "real" Jeeps as they're the first crossovers sold under the Jeep name (car based) and are the first Jeeps sold in recent times that aren't Trail Rated. If they do what you need of them, none of that matters. But if you aren't set on a Mopar, I'd look into the Ford Escape. If you go for a stripped down one, you can get them for a song and IMO, they're better built than the PT Cruiser and the Jeep twins.

[2Design]

143. not the jeep part but the combo part of car/truck/fitting lots of stuff

into a car is what interest me - not sure what AWD versus FWD means - When I picked my pt cruiser I looked at the ford focus and the focus wagon but it was too long and too hard to see and just wasn't a car and then the seats didn't really get out of your way - also looked at the chevy tahoe s10 truck at that time and I thought of a cap - but they were too high up and on that J body that flipped over too easily at the time. - too light on the road - so the pt cruiser wound up being the good combo

I liked hatchbacks but this was better

[JeanGrey]

35. Why aren't you getting your 03 fixed? Have you had it

looked at?

[2Design]

41. No I have not had it looked at since it is dead in the driveway where

I pushed it out of the street and I don't know where to take it and it just seemed it was up in miles and other things are breaking and that maybe it was time for something else

So maybe that is the wrong direction and fixing it might be the better choice since I like the features about the car other than the check engine light and the smell from the engine

[JeanGrey]

62. Well good luck to you! You can put a new engine in it for a lot

less than a new car. But I know how that new car vibe gets especially when it's a hassle to fix things sometimes.

[lumberjack_jeff]

66. Harbor freight sells a $39.95 engine scanner.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94169

... or at least it was $39.95 when I bought mine.

Smell from the engine?

[2Design]

69. the engine check light has been on most of the time since I bought it

goes off in cooler weather - no rhyme or reason most of the time

There is an odor and using the air flow to color or the defroster setting instead of air - it just has a dirty engine smell and has been leaking oil a little for over a year - I assumed it was from a stripped screw on the oil pan - since the Sears guys usually get another one but the Chrysler guys have never mentioned it when they change the oil

[itsrobert]

70. Also, if you can get it to an Autozone

They loan out the scanner for free and tell you what the code means.

[theboss]

133. My guess is that for $1500, your car can last another 70,000 miles

A 2003 should not just up and die like that.

[obiwan]

47. Don't buy the HHR. Its nickname is the "Me-Too Cruiser." And it's a GM vehicle.

And the Patriot is a "crossover" vehicle masquerading as an SUV. Definitely a car and not a Jeep. Car and Driver gave this "car" a dismal review. Gas mileage sucks, too. Don't buy it.

If you have to buy American, look at the Ford Edge if you want something decent that is in the Patriot's range. Much better car.

Too bad about the PT. You must have gotten a bad one. Also had a 2003 w/ stick. It was great. 30mpg on the highway, cost $12,000 new, roomy and comfortable, a/c and a decent stereo, no problems. Maintenance by the book. Drove it for 4 years and we had to sell it because of the shitty economy.

Good bang for the buck. Would buy another if I was rich. I miss that car.

If you live in Southern California, there is a dealer in San Bernardino called Schafer that is a PT dumping ground and has PT's real cheap. That's where I got mine. Mine was $11,900 new in 2003. Probably a bit more now, but still a real good deal.

I drive a Honda Fit now. Loaded, sport version with 5 speed AT was $15,900 brand new. Tons of interior room and I get 37mpg highway. I am 6'3" and 230 pounds and I have lots of room.

[2Design]

49. I bought my pt for about that much too - maybe a little more

I have records somewhere of what I paid

[2Design]

95. I usually only buy GM - buying the pt cruiser was my first non-GM car

I love my pt cruiser - but I love the styling of the hhr and the stick and clutch were smoother than my car

[EOTE]

128. Dupe. NT

[EOTE]

130. If you're suggesting a Ford, the Edge is NOT in the same class.

The Edge is a good deal more expensive than any of those cars listed. If you want to suggest a Ford, the Escape is far closer to those other options in terms of price, weight and size. There are very few dealers letting Edges go off their lot new for much under $30k.

[Pavulon]

54. rav4 or crv

used good for 200k or more. easy.

[bluedigger]

72. I had a rental HHR last summer.

The visibility out the windshield sucked for me - I'm 6'3", and the windshield was so low I had to stop about two car lengths in front of the intersection to see the stoplights. Then the motor started losing power. The second time it happened I was right by a rental place and I took it in and told them to give me something different.

Patriot? I'm a Jeep guy and it ain't no Jeep. It's a Dodge Caliber with a boxy body and a Jeep badge. Buy the Caliber. A friend has one and likes it. Or go for it - 2006 LWB (Unlimited) Wrangler with a hardtop!

I have had a rental Pontiac Torrent AWD for about a month and I like it ok. Peppy, good styling, and roomy enough for me. I think it's the same platform as the Chevy Traverse.

Ford Edge - overpriced. Ford Escape - tin can.

On-line shopping? Cars.com. Have fun and good luck!

[thelordofhell]

75. 1997 Dodge Neon.......231,000 Miles

Just changed the oil regularly and other scheduled maintenance. I get 32 in the city and 38 on the hwy. My little Neon is the best. Does need new paint though.

[and-justice-for-all]

76. I am not buying anything until I get the option to buy an EV..

I would not buy any of those to be honest.

[Rosco T.]

78. Still like my Element...

had a 2004, just bought a 2009. Lotsa Lotsa Room...



note: Seventy percent of the parts are of US or Canadian origin; Twenty percent are Japanese. The Element is assembled in East Liberty, Ohio.

[2Design]

80. who is the manufacturer ?

ok the type is element who is manufacturer? How much did you pay for it?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

92. Honda

We've thought about getting one eventually. You can hose them out.

[Tesha]

82. If it's made by Chrysler, you should pay *NOTHING* for it.

Only consider it if *THEY* offer to pay *YOU*.
And even in that case, demand good money!

Tesha

[vinylsolution]

83. Get a Scion XB....

.... Tons of space, fun to drive, rock-solid reliability, and it won't leave an oil slick in your driveway.

[DainBramaged]

84. Maybe you should PM some of us in the industry for an opinion

I'm just sayin'.

[2Design]

90. Who on this thread is in the industry? or knowledgeable about cars?

Most seem to have an opinion on what cars they like. OR bias against GM or other cars - a few seem to have hit on the details and thinking about fixing the car versus buying a car - but I have liked looking at the choices people suggested - some are overpriced foreign cars while others are not the car/truck/combo that I like about the pt cruiser - suggesting trucks does not give me the car feeling or the mileage a car can give me - I have pm you - if you notice who else on this thread is knowledgeable let me know - I can pick out a few - that have been truly helpful - finding a place to fix it and not get ripped off is the biggest fear - spending a lot of money and then still having problems is not what I want -

I was thinking of my last mechanic and how he said when I had 230,000 miles on the Z24 that it was time to get something new and dependable versus an engine since I depend on a car to go everywhere

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

91. If you dare think about buying foreign, he'll call you Canadian and put you on ignore

[Romulox]

109. I know. The nerve, standing with American Labor!

He's probably one of those "leftists" I keep hearing about! But not you and I! We support outsourcing, like all good capitalists!

:rofl:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

111. I'm all for American Labor

But I'm not going to buy a shitty Chevy.

I actually drive a GM car that was made overseas, so where does that put me?

[Romulox]

112. Same here. I'm all for American labor. Unless I can save a buck by buying a non-union product.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

113. Like I said, I drive a GM car and it wasn't made in the US

So am I supporting an American company or am I supporting foreign workers?

Meanwhile, many "foreign" cars are made in the US.

[Romulox]

114. You seem to have trouble keeping "Labor" and "Multinational corporations" separate.

How convenient that is for you! Good luck with your backpedaling, at any rate. :hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

118. You seem to have a problem with answering my questions

How convenient that is for you! Good luck with your backpedaling, at any rate. :hi:

[Romulox]

120. My answer to you should be quite clear to anyone self-aware enough to post here.

You just seem to have something of a tin-ear for these issues. :shrug:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

122. Saying I'm anti-labor is pretty laughable

[Romulox]

129. You're the only one who's said that, thus far. nt

[Codeine]

117. The company matters not.

And where it's made isn't even the final word.

The ultimate decision should whether it's made by organized labor (UAW in this instance) in this country. You can buy a Toyota Matrix or Corolla and be perfectly happy knowing it was made by UAW labor in California.

Or you can buy something made in another country or made here by non-union labor and undercut the working class with every dollar you shell out.

[Mopar151]

144. Mr. Goodwrench Here.....

I've been a dealer tech, Alignment + mechanic in independent shops, hillclimb competitor for 29 years, build my own stuff, build engines + cars for my friends, Machinist in automation, repair, production for 25 years. I know from wrenches.

[bridgit]

85. We rented a Jeep Patriot to do some stuff last week it was cool, smaller...

than other 4WD's, spritely, seemed to get good mileage, storage...I liked it!! :bounce: http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/jeep/patriot/2009_jeep_patriot+tab-configurator.html

[NickB79]

86. The new Kia Soul is supposed to be a nice vehicle, and boxy/roomy like the PT or HHR

And 31 mpg highway to boot: http://kiasoul.com/

Otherwise, the Scion xD gets great MPG and has decent space (though not as much as the PT, Patriot or HHR).

[carlyhippy]

97. the soul is a cool looking vehicle, reminds me of a mini

Carly

[guitar man]

87. Wait

What's wrong with your PT? I mean, unless it has thrown a rod, seized up or had some other form of catastrophic failure, it may be something as simple as a fuel pump, ignition module or some other part that just needs to be replaced. Don't just toss it out....unless you just have a serious jones for that new car smell. :evilgrin:

I have a '95 Lincoln Mark VIII I bought used that now has 210,000 miles and it is still going strong. It died one night and all it needed was a new fuel pump, which I got installed for about $500 total. My wife is still driving it, no monthly payments ;)

[2Design]

93. I am considering this - now need to find a place to tow car to that won't

be a rip off - yes the jones for the new car has been there for about six months since the leak under the car has been more of a problem (oil or something else) stick shift car - but I see the logic and sensibility of not having car payments at this time. New engine even seems reasonable compared to 15,000 for cheap plastic cars that they produce now - they are all junk to my mind - nothing solid - no my pt is not solid but it has a good design until they screw it up in later years on the inside and made it junky like most foreign cars with that cheap plastic

I have just about finished my taxes and now I can move on to the next thing

I don't want to rent a car this week because prices are up because of the holiday - they drop $100 next week - the things I had schedule I have been able to skip and continue work from home -

Yeah a new car would be good - but none of them really jump at me other than the hhr and the patriot at this time - when I look at some that people have suggested they are smaller inside than what I have - I looked at some of those styles back when I bought this pt cruiser in dec 2002

[guitar man]

99. I hear you

I hear you about not getting ripped off. I am lucky and found a good shop I've been using for almost 15 years now for the repairs I don't do myself. The key to getting good repair service is, if you don't know much about things mechanical yourself, seek the counsel of a friend or family member who does to act as an advocate and advisor.

good luck

[2Design]

104. I understand mechanics and used to work on my old AMC hatchback

but now they cram so much under the hood and so much is electronic that it is impossible to say what can be done and I do not have the expertise anymore for this new stuff - the pt cruiser under the hood is crammed into a very small space - that is how they designed that front end

[Codeine]

101. It's been leaking, but you don't know what it was leaking?

Good grief. No wonder it quit. You've probably been running without oil.

[2Design]

106. I had the oil changed about 1500 miles ago - it has been leaking

for six months and I go and have the oil changed regularly - leak is very small - little drops and only over night or a long time

[Evoman]

110. WTF.....you car is leaking and your suprised your car is dead on the driveway?

I can't believe your considering buying a new car without even getting your current car checked. Who knows...it could be something small and easily fixed (although if you've been running your car without oil.....oy vey).

Getting your car towed and fixed is probably a lot cheaper than buying a new one!

[2Design]

119. car has oil - I checked - the leak is something it has been doing for

over six months - I am not surprised it is dead - I am just figuring the next right thing to do - I had been thinking of a new car for over six months because of this slow drip - I assumed it was oil - I have had it in for several oil changes since I first noticed it - I know a mechanic had tolded me one time during oil change that the plug was stripped so they ordered a new one - my assumption has been a slow oil leak - The last three oil changes have been done by chrysler and they never mentioned a problem

[carlyhippy]

100. n/t

never mind

[earth mom]

102. 113K is NOT a lot of miles. My 10 year old Jeep has 155K miles & should go over 200K. Get the Jeep.

B-)

Edited to add: Up here in the PNW there are tons of old Jeeps on the road, and everyone I talk to gets over 200K with little or no repairs. If I were to buy a new Jeep, I would get the Commander or Wrangler Unlimited-not the Patriot.

[carlyhippy]

103. That is true, your PT cruiser was not very hardy, get the Jeep

they have a pretty decent rep for long miles.

[2Design]

108. only reason for patriot is it is more of a car than an suv - don't want an suv n/t

[old mark]

105. 1: Don't buy a PT Cruiser. Everyone I know that owns or owned one

has paid through the nose for repairs. They ae bad cars, even for Chrysler Corp. 2. Jeep. Made by Chrysler Corp. Barking dog, too much money. 3. Chevy HHR $18,000 - $25,000. Mediocre, but better than the Chrysler products at staying on the road.
Just my opinion - I have owned many Chrysler products over the last 40 years, and doubt I ever will again.
mark

[2Design]

107. I have always owned gm products and my pt cruiser was my first nonGM

It has been terrific until the last six months - my first Chrysler and I was impressed

[old mark]

124. My father in law bought a new Chrysley Cirrus, had the trans rebuilt 3x

Last time cost over $600 for parts. He was told it cost so much because it was their "best" transmission.....

A former co-worker buys, repairs and re-sells used cars. He won't even work on Chrysler products. They look great, but they are really a crap shoot as far as reliability.


mark

[didact]

115. I like the Ford Edge*

[NNN0LHI]

116. All good choices

[Truth2Tell]

135. Whatever you do - just don't finance.

If you don't have the cash to buy a vehicle outright, don't buy it.

[2Design]

138. 0 % is like getting the money for nothing while leaving money in the bank earning interest n/t

[Truth2Tell]

140. I suppose 0% is a special case.

Just bear in mind that regardless of 0% you still don't own that car - the bank owns the car and is just letting you drive it in exchange for a share of your earnings each month. Sort of a hooker/pimp kinda thing. As long as big daddy gets his cut you can borrow his ride.