Any car experts on here?

[lickin lollypops]

Hi all, new here. Found the board while doing a roid search.

Anyway, got a question about vehicles. I am going to get my son a car next month for his graduation present. Yes I am older than all of you probably. I don't want to spend a ton of money as it is just something to get him through college commutes and such. I can buy a used car for about 10 thousand. But I see these PT cruisers adverts in the paper for 11,400. that is 04/05 models. Or whatever they call close outs. But under 100 miles on it. It is listed with auto trans power winds,seats,steering cd player, etc.. hard to believe a new car is that cheap. Why get a used one when you can put 1 thousand more and get a new one?

Are these cars pieces of crap or something? Yes I know the design leaves a lot to be desired, but he is 18 and just about all 18s like it. Must be a youth thing.

TM

It will get stolen, Chrysler products are number 1 on the list for being stolen out of all the other cars in the U.S. including Honda's.

That car is alright if it's just for a kid, it gets good gas mileage and has a lot of space. Best buy for the money is a 96 Honda civic, it holds its value more than this car.

But that's just my .02 cents...

 

[UA_Iron]

I'd go with a honda or toyota.

I've always hated the PT cruisers - they are way lame. And you'll get better fuel economy and reliability with a jap car.

 

[torqued mass]

Well I can get him a good used Honda for around 10 thousand. but that would be almost the cost of the new PT.

The options are listed as power wins, seats, steering, brakes, etc.. CD, auto etc... all for that price. It says in the ad. It says ALL THIS INCLUDED for only.... price. Which is why I am wondering if it is a trick or something. Like get you down there and then they tell you, well we only had one of those it sold, but this is the next cheapest one.. 18 thousand.

For the other that asked, my son is going to college U or Miami on a scholarship. So he gets all his supplies taken care of.

 

[PBR]

i have a bad ass VW Jetta 1.8T...with KN intake, PC chip, 17" alloys (black) new, all leather- sun roof -no dents- excellent paint, tinted windows -alpine stereo (new)..white in color...11K!!!!!!!!! steal ...62K mi. 2000 model...

 

[rnch]

i think you should get him a cheaper car like a honda........

have you priced new civics and accords lately?

 

[Mr. dB]

The PT Cruiser is the same as a Dodge Neon underneath the '30s retro styling. So its performance and reliability will be okay. Not stellar, but okay.

The styling is controversial enough that you may want to put out some feelers to see how your kid feels about it. He may love it, or he may not want to be seen within 50 feet of one. The PT is one of the cheapest cars to insure though. The market for PTs is soft because they are seen as a fad from two years ago.

I agree with the poster who recommended a 1996 Civic. The 1996-2001 Civic is one of the most dependable cars you can find. Plus it's reasonably fun to drive and kids seem to like them.

 

[rnch]

while i agree that a '96 - '01 civic was and is an awesome car; we are comparing apples and oranges here........a brand new, zero mileage, not (yet) abused new PT to a used honda with.....how many miles on it and how hard was it driven and maintained??? you just never know whal all you are getting into with a used car, esp. one in this catagory........you might be buying a car that crak has driven! lolol....

given the choice, i'd take the brand new, non abused, zero mileage new car.

 

[torqued mass]

Yes that is what I was trying to say. Get a car used with mileage on it and who knows what has happened under the hood or get a brand new one. He will not be driving it very much only about ten miles to school each day so it is not like a long commute. He says he likes the body style and everything. It is cool.

 

[rnch]

sounds like a win/win situation to me.



your boy is a lucky kid...........you're doing a LOT more for him than my dad did for me at that age!!! past high school i was on my own.

 

[Ish]

Make sure it's pink.