More vehicles to come...

2002-2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser

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Perhaps we already have you convinced that SUVs for most people are needless gas-guzzling machines that are hard-to-park, a whale to drive and expensive to maintain. You definitely want something a bit sportier, though you have family, or friends, whom you often need to shuttle around. Room for their gear is needed. A 2-seat sports car, or a Corbin Sparrow just won't do. Yet you want something with style, an attitude... not your dad's most uncool station wagon.

Enter the Chrysler PT Cruiser, from the company bold enough to bring us the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler.

Like those two wild offerings, the PT Cruiser evokes glory machines of yesterday. In the PT Cruiser's case, it evokes pre-World War II hot rods, especially with its nolstagic radiator grill. The PT Cruiser looks downright stunning from the front and the rear. Though it is slightly less attractive when viewed from the side, its profile is highly practical, with removable seats and volumous cargo area. It could easily sub as breadwagon, if necessary.

Its powertrain is more modest than those hot rods it harkens, being straight out of the Dodge Neon driving its front wheels. Of course, this engine is far more miserly than any non-hybrid SUV, achieving 29 mpg on the highway. We think it moves the car just fine, thank you.

The interior is far more radical than a Neon's. Clearly influenced by those pre-war hot rods, we like the interior style, even if modern safety standards dictate an abundance of plastic and padding instead of chrome and painted steel.

As of 2004 the PT Cruiser has been seen brand new in the newspapers for just $10,000-19,000. We think that is an outstanding new car bargain. It has style, it has resale value, it has room. Top this off with good gas mileage and you get a genuine hi-mpg.org Hot Green Machine.