‘One of the worst cars ever made’, mechanic warns of vehicle that will ‘bankrupt drivers’ – 1.3 m models were sold

A PROFESSIONAL mechanic says looks can be deceiving over the world’s worst car – more than a million were sold because they were cute.

But when they get into trouble, he tells his clients to head for the hills and give up.

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Scotty Kilmer, aka the “people’s mechanic” on YouTube (@Scotty Kilmer), built her 6.2 million followers by posting industry news, discussing her in-store experiences, and posting free DIY maintenance tips and tricks.

In a recent videohe discussed his distaste for a popular car that he considers the worst vehicle ever made: the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The PT Cruiser was introduced in 2001, and Kilmer said he felt wary of it without knowing the details.

“Not being a Chrysler fan, even in 2001, I didn’t expect much of this stuff,” Kilmer said.

“But I really didn’t expect them to be as bad as they seemed.”

In addition to the massive amount of plastic that makes up important engine components like the air intake system and manifolds, he saw a regular and expensive problem during his time at the shop.

“These engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets all the time,” Kilmer continued.

“They overheat – I’d say at least eight out of every 10 PT Cruisers that come into the shop with overheating problems, the first thing I do is use my block leak tester to find out that the head gaskets are blown.”

He said at this point he tells his clients there is only one logical solution.

And you’re not spending thousands to resurface the heads and replace the gaskets.

“I say, ‘Just get rid of the car, don’t go any further,'” he said.

Kilmer suspects that the PT Cruiser’s sleek, retro-inspired styling is what attracted millions of buyers to an inferior product.

“They’re beautiful, that’s how they sold 1.3 million of these old cars,” Kilmer continued.

“Boy, looks can be deceiving in this case.”

The engine wasn’t the only expensive and regular repair that PT Cruiser owners suffered from.

“Automatic transmissions were basically garbage,” he said.

Viewers of Kilmer’s video largely agreed with his opinions on the Cruiser – with many making jokes about the vehicle’s name.

“’PT’ actually stands for ‘Part Time,’” one viewer wrote.

“It’s a part-time cruiser and the other part of the time it’s in the shop working or in the back of a tow truck. They make a great chicken coop.”

Tips for buying a used car

When shopping for a used car, the experts at US News & World Report offer some tips before you hit the sales lot.

1. Set a realistic budget. Some cars are more expensive to insure and register than others, depending on the engine type, body style, weight and number of doors. Before you get ripped off by a slick salesman, it’s important to know what you can and can’t afford.
2. Researching which car best fits your lifestyle can save you a lot of time. Would a sedan work better for your garage or narrow street? Would a truck meet transportation or towing needs? Knowing what meets your needs can narrow down your options.
3. Look for certified pre-owned cars. Certified pre-owned cars are backed by the manufacturer and come with comprehensive warranties at affordable prices. Some manufacturers have better deals on CPO cars, so shop around carefully.
4. Not all financing options are created equal. Depending on where you intend to finance, if this is on the table, be very careful about who you finance. Your best option would be to get pre-approved by your bank before coming in to get an idea of ​​what rates are affordable and give the dealership an incentive to meet or beat those rates.
5. Consider a used car inspection. Depending on where you are purchasing a vehicle, you may choose to pay around $200 for a used car inspection to have key components examined by an expert.
6. Consider a vehicle history report. When things get close to signing, purchasing a VIN-based vehicle history report can help shed light on previous owners, maintenance records (if it was taken to a dealership), title status and more.

Source: US News and World Report

A viewer who said he worked at a Chrysler dealership in the early 2000s recalled a time when people were desperate to own one.

“I worked at a Chrysler dealership when the PT Cruiser came out,” they wrote.

“They were so special and desirable that the dealership would lock them in the garage at night to prevent them from being stolen.”

Another person indicated that the PT Cruiser was a popular attraction on the road when traveling.

“I have a habit of looking at the make and model of cars that are broken down on the side of the road,” they wrote.

“These PT Cruisers are literally the best cars I see on the side of the road. I would probably see more of them, but they didn’t make it to 2024 because they already broke.”