2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Classic continues as one of the most stylish compact wagons on the market. While some may argue its retro look has grown tiresome, sales remain strong enough to justify the car's continued production, 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. Like many cars in this segment, Chrysler offers PT buyers a simple set up consisting of one engine and transmission choice bundled together in a nicely equipped package that starts around $19,000. If you love driving something that pays homage to a great era in American cars, the 2010 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 fuel efficient four-cylinder engine. 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 Toyota RAV4, the PT Cruiser does not offer the same ground clearance or optional all-wheel drive. The potent turbocharged engine has been retired, as has the manual transmission. Chrysler has simplified the lineup to a single vehicle, now called the PT Cruiser Classic, which has a single engine and transmission choice and only a handful of options. Driving the 2010 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. The 2.4-liter, 16-valve motor is no race engine, but it does manage acceptable levels of acceleration, smoothness and fuel economy. There seems to be a good deal of low-end torque for uphill climbs, although we did find the four-speed automatic a bit slow to shift when power is immediately required.
The PT Cruiser's adjustable rear shelf can be set to various heights. The PT's marvelous exterior lends itself to multiple personality changes. The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser's innovative interior includes a satin-finish dash trim, a retro-looking color-keyed 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. Safety features include front side-impact airbags and a driver's side knee airbag, but no side curtain airbags to protect the rear occupants. Clearly one of the most recognizable shapes on the road, the PT's retro panel van styling is truly "Classic." Though built on the old 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. As standard equipment, the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Classic has a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, four speed automatic transmission, rear defrost, power side mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input jack, tilt wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, front-seat side-impact air bags, 16-inch cast aluminum wheels, a rear wiper/washer, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with low-speed traction control and fog lamps. The Convenience Group adds heated six-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment and a heated fold-flat passenger seat. Stand alone options are limited to a power moonroof, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and a few exterior colors. The 2.4-liter engine works well in the PT, giving it good acceleration and respectable fuel economy. This engine can be a bit course, however, especially under hard acceleration.
If you're comparing the PT Cruiser Classic to the imports, you'll find the PT's engine is no match for the quiet and vibration-free four-cylinders made by Honda and Toyota. 150 horsepower @ 5100 rpm 165 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 (automatic) 's car classifieds to view the new and used Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles for sale near you.Edit ArticleHow to Use a Slim Jim Two Methods:Determining If a Slim Jim Will Work for YouUsing a Slim Jim to Open Your Car DoorCommunity Q&A Learning how to use a Slim Jim can be a very valuable skill, especially if you find yourself locked out of your car. A Slim Jim, otherwise known as a lockout tool, is actually a very simple tool consisting of a thin piece of spring steel with a notch cut out of one end. The Slim Jim's notched end is used to move the rod mechanisms of a car door, via the car window, allowing you to move the door's lock into the unlocked position. As simple as this sounds, you actually need to practice the proper way to use a Slim Jim or you could end up damaging your car instead of opening it.
Here are some steps that will help you practice and perfect your skills with a Slim Jim. Assess whether your car has manual locks, as a Slim Jim works most effectively on cars with manual locks. While modern locks use electronics to change your locks from open to closed, manual locks operate with a metal rod that physically moves your lock from open to closed. If your car has power door locks and you don't want to call a locksmith, it is best to attempt go in through the top of your window with a wire in order to operate the power door-lock button on the inside of the car. This will probably be easier than dealing with the door mechanism. For other options see: Break Into a Car Research how the mechanism inside your specific door actually works. While all manual locks function in the same basic way, they are constructed slightly differently depending on the manufacturer. You need to be able to visualize where the parts of the door lock mechanism are located and how they work in order to use a Slim Jim.
Most door locks function by means of a control arm and a lock rod. The control arm activates when the car key is turned in the lock, but it can also be bypassed in order to open the door without a key. The notched end of a Slim Jim should make it easy to pull the lock rod up, as if you have lifted the lock inside the car. Most cars made after 1992 have a lot of mechanics and a variety of controls housed inside the door which make using a slim jim very difficult or even impossible. In fact, the doors on newer cars may have side impact air bags and electrical wiring for power locks housed inside the door and these can get badly damaged when trying to unlock the door. Different car models by the same manufacturer may have similar lock mechanisms. In other words, your knowledge of one model may help you with another model by the same car company. Contact a professional locksmith if you are not sure whether you have manual locks and if you are not 100% sure of what's INSIDE the car door you are trying to open.
Insert the tool carefully between the car door window and the weather stripping. You should position the tool directly above the lock, usually at the rear of the door. Holding the weather stripping back with your fingers, slide the Slim Jim down along the window. This is a tight space and you may only have a quarter of an inch of access to the lock linkage. It's a good idea to try to unlock the passenger side door. There are usually more wires in the drivers side door and more chance to damage important parts of the door mechanism...particularly if you are a novice. Be gentle, the Slim Jim may only go down a few inches before coming into contact with the door mechanism. Move the tool slowly back and forth until the notch grabs onto the lock rod. Be sure to keep the Slim Jim relatively vertical inside the door panel. This will help you avoid doing damage inside the door. Be gentle with the lock rod, you don't want to accidentally disconnect it from the lock. Because the inside of each type of car door varies, the rod mechanism you are attempting to move may be in a slightly different location and it may be shaped differently.