2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review: A Mediocre Throwback Wagon, but Priced to Move

Leah on August 18, 2024

I bought my 2008 Cruiser in 2011 used with 30k miles on it. It's been 13 years and I STILL have it. It now has 170k miles and it didn't start having issues until maybe 2 or 3 years ago. First thing that cut out was the AC but I consider that a luxury and can't afford to get it fixed so I've been driving without it for a while. Maybe 5 years ago the suspension had to be replaced and the camshaft sensor had to be replaced like 3 times over the course of a year. About 3 years ago the radiator blew and needed to be replaced. And just last year ('23) the control arm needed to be replaced, and it started giving me issues overheating. Just this month (August '24) it needed a coolant flush, new thermostat, new radiator fan, and fuel pump. But with all the old car repairs, every time something is fixed, it keeps going and the repairs hold up. This little car has lasted longer than I ever thought it would and I'm going to keep it going as long as I can. Other than engine issues as the car has aged, the rest of it is decent. Good leg room, surprising amount of space. It's gotten me through 3 moves and I've packed so many moving boxes in there I didn't need to rent a moving van. I'm 35 now and still driving around my first car (mainly because I'm poor but whatever). I have so many good memories with this cat and I'm so glad it's lasted so long.

JoJo on November 25, 2023

I bought a 2008 PT Cruiser with low mileage in June of 2020. It had a 30 day warranty only. It is Arizona’s law. In the first 30 days the dealership had to buy me a new battery and then the alternator. Since then I have replaced the AC 3 times already. It had ice cold AC when I bought it. I took a road trip to Ohio and my new AC stopped working. The compressor melted. I couldn’t afford to pay a real mechanical and my sister’s friend installed a new AC unit and it only lasted a few months and the car started overheating. It was about 120 degrees out and I was pretty close to home when the AC stopped working and the car started overheating. I made the mistake of driving it home and I blew the head gasket. The car sat for about 6 months while I was deciding whether or not to put money into it. I had to take out a loan to pay over $4000 worth of repairs and a have a couple more years left on a personal loan and the car is doing the same thing. The brand new AC unit stopped working and it started overheating. I was told to turn the heater on to keep from overheating and the last time I drove it the car wouldn’t start after I just bought a ton of groceries that needed refrigeration. I had to get someone to come get me and I found someone else to get the car and bring it to me. They parked in my parking backwards so it will be easy to jump start. I started researching the 2008 pt cruiser AC problem and the problem is that the cooling fan doesn’t come on when you turn on the AC.. I believe that the 2008 PT Cruiser AC or the fan is defective from the manufacturer.

Jhaley75 on April 16, 2023

Been driving my 05 since 2009 and it’s still going. It has 240k and ticking. Bought it in 09 with like 60k miles to get a GTO cheaper lol. It’s my daily driver as the GTO rarely driven. I’d get another but will admit the maintenance is kinda high overall. But what do you expect from an almost 30 year old car and 14 years of ownership with long commute to work

uncle dave on March 10, 2023

My daughter's 2018 Toyota Rav4 developed a leaky head gasket at about 84,000 miles.... and the check oil warning light never came on! Result: Engine is shot! I mention this because some people complain that the PT Cruiser had a problem with head gaskets. Guess what... ALL cars these days, including mighty Toyotas... can develop a leaky head gasket. If you can find a clean PT, with all maintenance records, AND the timing belt/water pump, etc replacement has been done, you can feel good about buying it.

YIPPEE KI YAY on April 30, 2021

I can't believe it took 10 years for Chrysler to stop producing the poorly designed PT Cruiser. For example, I have been driving almost 50 years and never had to replace a wheel bearing until we bought a 3 year old PT Cruiser. I ended up replacing all four wheel bearings. The entire suspension design is a poor design. We drove it about 90,000 miles in 10 years. I'm surprised we survived.

Soon to be a former PT owner on February 21, 2021

The car was a cute trendy car. They only built them for so long and the trend was gone. They were not built with the idea of being on the road long. They are known to have a problem with the blown head gaskets. My car has been burning oil since I bought it. It has 150,000 and it is ready for the junkyard. It does have it good points. It was a reliable car but I had to watch the oil like a hawk. The oil light doesnt go on when it is a problem. The oil light indicator is useless. The tire warning light wont go off. My mechanic cant figure out which tire or why it wont go off. The one thing I will miss when I get rid of it is the cargo hauling ability. It was spacous without being a truck.

Angry customer on August 10, 2020

This car literally broke down on my way home from EASTSIDE Auto sales where I had just bought it. No indicator light, nothing. It just stopped working. Then, when the EASTSIDE Auto sales people had it "checked out by the car repair shop next door" they claimed that there "was absolutely nothing wrong with the car". After taking it for another drive, the car broke down AGAIN for no apparent reason and giving the car gas only made the problem worse. This car is a xxxxbox. Don't buy it.

Mary on February 7, 2020

Rides nice and is easy to get around in. Plenty of room in the back for stuff. I have been to the recycling place, junkin and shopping and had plenty of room. I also was able to fit a queen size adjustable bed from the store with ease.

Daver on June 7, 2019

Back seats come out, making plenty of room for dogs, equipment, golf clubs, whatever. Mileage not as good as I would like, but not bad either, avg around 21 mpg.

PT Guy on May 21, 2019

It's really not that bad of a car, they don't have much power but they are pretty fun to drive. The styling is unique and conservative. It's like driving a giant golf cart that's pretty easy to break free when you tell it to, especially for a front wheel drive vehicle.