why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Please enter a valid mileage

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser continues as one of the most stylish and fun-to-own compact wagons on the market. While some may argue its retro look has grown tiresome, sales remain strong, as does the demand for aftermarket parts and accessories. Beyond its flamboyant "look at me" exterior, the PT Cruiser provides a roomy and highly flexible interior as adept at hauling kids and cargo as it is serving tailgate, or, rather, liftgate-party duty. Unlike most cars in this segment, Chrysler offers PT buyers a choice of fuel-efficient engines, one of which is turbocharged. Best of all, the PT Cruiser's price tag starts around $15,000, making it a vehicle just about anyone can afford.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love driving something that pays homage to a great era in American cars, the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser is your vehicle. You don't have to sacrifice for your kicks either, as the PT has loads of space, a clever adjustable rear shelf and a choice of normally-aspirated or turbocharged engines.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a full-size recreation of a 1940s American sedan, the PT Cruiser will be too small and probably not cushy enough for you. And if you look at it as an alternative small SUV like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the PT Cruiser does not offer the same ground clearance or optional all-wheel drive.

What's Significant About This Car?

Chrysler makes front-seat side-impact airbags standard on all models, as well as a compass and temperature display. New models are now the LX, Touring and Limited; the GT model has been discontinued.

Driving the PT Cruiser

Driving Impressions Driving the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser is much like driving any compact car, only you sit a bit higher and get many more smiles and thumbs-up signs flashed your way....

The steering is precise and without vagueness, the brakes are firm and the handling good. We drove the middle-level Touring model featuring the optional 180-horsepower four-cylinder turbo mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The seamless turbo works in concert with a balanced suspension to deliver a driving experience fitting the car's Cruiser designation. On turbo models, there is very little torque steer, a pleasant surprise for such a powerful front-drive car. There seems to be a good deal of low-end torque as we didn't feel the need to downshift when climbing steep grades or attempting leisurely passing maneuvers.

Favorite Features

Adjustable Rear Shelf
The PT Cruiser's adjustable rear shelf can be set to various heights.

PT Cruiser Exterior
The PT's marvelous exterior lends itself to multiple personality changes.

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Details

Interior

The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser's innovative interior includes a satin-finish dash trim, a retro-looking cue ball shift knob and tall, upright seating. The rear storage area features a moveable shelf that can serve as a table for tailgate parties or a privacy cover to hide valuables. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of head and legroom and a good view of the road ahead, thanks to the raised rear seats.

Exterior

Clearly one of the most recognizable shapes on the road, the PT's retro panel van styling is truly classic. Though built on the now-defunct Dodge Neon platform, the PT sits up higher than most cars, more like a small SUV. Its tall doors make accessing the interior a breeze and the big rear hatch makes it easy to load long or bulky items. An ample supply of aftermarket body kits and performance-enhancing add-ons allows for some wild customization at bargain-basement prices.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

As standard equipment, the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser LX has a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, rear defrost, manual side mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 input jack, tilt wheel, power windows, keyless entry, front-seat side-impact air bags, full wheel covers and a rear wiper/washer. The Touring trim adds air conditioning, power driver's seat, cruise control, power mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and a fold-flat passenger's seat. The Limited model adds a turbocharged engine, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with low-speed traction control, fog lamps, chrome package, leather seats, power moon roof, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 17-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Optional Equipment

Options include the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine (Touring) 368-watt Boston Acoustics audio group with six speakers and subwoofer, anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, heated front seats, YES Essentials seat covers, power moon roof and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Under the Hood

The standard engine works well in the PT, giving it good acceleration and respectable fuel economy. For those who want the PT's performance to live up to its racy good looks, a move up to the low-pressure, 180-horsepower turbo engine is recommended, though doing so means you cannot have the five-speed manual transmission.

2.4-liter in-line 4
150 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
165 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 (manual), 19/24 (automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged
180 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
210 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800-4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Based on 1185 Ratings for the 2001 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

7.8/10

Quality

7.8/10
Reliability

8.0/10

Performance

7.7/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.4/10

first brand new convertible, it's a keeper!

By blow'n in the wind (MO) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "seats four, lots of room for a convertible!"

Cons: "small trunk, top sewn with cotton thread."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"everyone loves my 2005 pt cruiser! taupe rag top and vanilla body. when i first got the convertible SENIORS stop me all of the time and said they loved it! 2013, people are still complimenting! it's to bad chrysler stop production. I don't see many convertibles, that nice. i love this car as much as i loved my 1970 canary yellow karman ghia vw, of course the cruiser is MUCH bigger. regular maintenance, a/c, sway bar, front wheel bearing repair. performs beautifully! looks good!"

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Love this car, will probably keep it forever!

By PA Grandma (PA) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, easy to handle, lots of room inside"

Cons: "rides a little rough on unsmooth roads"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have had this car for 10 years, and it's been a great car other than it has gone through so many batteries we lost count. We have never been able to find out why, I think it's the security system. The last battery lasted 23 months. Other than replacing the struts in the front, and the shifter linkage, the car is all original with 130,000 miles! It has the factory muffler and clutch. I love being able to take the rear seats out to haul all kinds of stuff in it, I had a dining room table and four chairs in there without taking the legs off the table! It's incredible what will fit in this car. It has no rust on it and it still looks great. I would buy a new one, but Chrysler stopped making them!"

3 people out of 6 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Better than expected

By cruiserdude (GA) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 203,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Handles great, stereo cranks, sunroof is cool,"

Cons: "turning radius seats are small window switches"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"My Cruiser had 197,000 miles on it when I bought it so I wasn't really expecting much. I have been pleasently surprised. I've had to do the normal maint and repairs such as brakes, timing belt, water pump, belts and hoses but besides that not a single breakdown. I've put about 5K miles on it but it just keeps going and going. Gets about 19 or 20 mpg around town and it's best trip scored at 27 mpg and that was at 80 mph. If I drove it easier it probably would get close to 30 mpg. A/C has a slow leak I haven't chased down yet but I will and hopefully it won't cost too much to repair. Seats could be a bit bigger, feels like your going to fall out of them going around corners. Which reminds me the turning radius is not so great. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get in a parking place. But all in all for what this little car has been thru over the years I can't complain. Never uses oil and has NO drips which i love. Great little car for the money."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Makes a great second car.

By Nick (MI) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 272,400

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "A good value for the money. Heating system."

Cons: "A/C not at its peak."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Actually my wife's car (our second car) but I drive it often, and really enjoy the experience. Despite the high mileage, the interior is almost like new, and the exterior is very good. Still has a little zip to it; and the gas mleage is acceptable. No long trips with it; mostly short ones and in-town drives."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Absolutely the best overall vehicle I ever owned

By DLF (CO) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This car is compact but will haul bulky items. Has a much better ride than a popular new car I recently rented. I like the upright seating. Room enough for 6 ft+. Has been reliable so far, 32 mpg highway. More power would be nice, but does okay even at 8000 ft."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Best convertible I have ever owned

By Zputergal (IL) on Friday, April 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 180,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Gas mileage, space, trunk room."

Cons: "They don't make them anymore."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We love taking road trips. I have owned other convertibles and they just aren't very roomy. This car has been amazing. I just rolled over 180,000 miles and she is still going. I just can't give her up. I've looked for a new convertible and nothing offers what I have with my PT."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 1185 reviews