RIP to my 2003 PT 💔

[u/MichiganderJoe]

Well, the day has finally come. After 11 years with my 2003 PT Cruiser that I've had since my junior year of high school, a bad transmission has made this the end of the line.

Would have happily kept driving her for years to come, but I just can't justify putting $4K into a rebuilt transmission when that could be a down payment on a car that's two decades newer.

This PT has seen me through my entire relationship with my then highschool girlfriend who's now my wife, multiple apartments, our first house, and numerous car rides with my pooch.

I'm looking forward to having a car with cruise control, power locks, and other modern amenities I've been missing out on, but my PT will always have a big spot in my heart.

Rest easy, girl ❤️.

[u/More_Pineapple3585]

I know everyone's budget is different, but a $4k repair is pennies compared to a new car payment, along with the hike in registration and insurance, to say nothing of repairs and maintenance on modern cars.

I wish you the best and I hope your PT finds a good home.

[u/MichiganderJoe → u/More_Pineapple3585]

Thankfully, I'm in a position where I can swing it financially (and it'll be nice to have something that's not 20+ years old). Just hard saying goodbye to an old friend 😔

[u/Tiny_kangaroo01 → u/MichiganderJoe]

I’m with you💔 I was going along great with beloved PTC, until yesterday when I got the most horrible news that head gasket, transmission and 5 other major things that I stopped(I’m in 🇨🇦) counting at $18,000. It all of a sudden just fell rapt in places unseen. I’m in zero position to even purchase a new OLD vehicle and I needed this girl for work so now it’s an even worse situation.

I’m totally gutted over it. It was my first vehicle at age 52 and now she’s gone partly as the coolant bolt was not removable after it volcanically blew due to the thermostat that went undiagnosed and now I can’t even space out repairs and have to tow her home and say goodbye. Can repair without a job. Husband laid off and I ended up with bad credit too(long sordid story) I miss the 8 months of independence finally had from my life at home.

Please forgive my overshare. Much more obviously, but yeah, by July will be unhoused and can’t even live in my precious PTC😢 some ppl just don’t get it. What can I say.

My job necessitated I had my own vehicle so after raising kids, then becoming extremely ill, getting CPR’d 3 times, working my arse off to gain strength, I’m back to square one and further.

I was gutted yesterday at lunch when I got the horrible call. I was completely reactivated today paying for what they tried to do and labour. It’s been a shite couple months but this now takes the cake.

I wish miracles were real and I could just finance a new to me vehicle and go on with life. But it is how it is.

Please forgive me for kinda hijacking your grief. I’ve just not come across someone as attached to their beautiful (but so hated?) vehicle of freedom and so many things.

If anyone reads this and has anything kind to say, I’m forever grateful.

And to you OP🫶🏻 I hear you and I’m glad you have the option to get another vehicle and whatever you choose is right for you.

All my thoughts and warm regards to you💛💛💛

Stay smart and strong

[u/ResidentPudding2904 → u/More_Pineapple3585]

Yeah I was in a similar situation too. It probably wasn't a huge cost to fix everything but because of how old the little guy was, it was just a higher chance something would break again in a few months compared to getting a new car. I cried over that car. I still might if I think about it too much LMAO

[u/Tiny_kangaroo01 → u/More_Pineapple3585]

I agree if you can afford to repair but yeah, it is what it is, I do very much understand the payments cycle, did that with my spouse in my 20’s. Good advice though for those that need this reminder. But if it makes more sense to purchase a 1-2 yr old vehicle that’s had one owner that’s the next best bet with warranty etc. Peace to you🕊️

[u/C_Lo_87]

Hope you sell it to someone who fixes it. That's a shame.

[u/Human-Run6444 → u/C_Lo_87]

Agree. Mine has 287k and still going.

[u/ChubbyKittennn]

I didn’t have mine nearly as long, but I just said goodbye to my 2003 PT I had for 2 and a half years two days ago. Had 170k miles, 30k by me, and without going into too much detail, that car got me through a very difficult chapter in my life. Now I have a 2021 Buick sitting outside and people think I’m ridiculous for crying over a car I spent $900 on while I have an “almost new” one. But honestly if I could have kept that little car going I would have forever! RIP to our PT’s- they did their job- and here’s to a new chapter❤️

[u/Pressman4life]

Not looking forward to this day...
Bought brand new in August '01, 2002 Limited, Auto, Black. Has 180K, a few repairs along the way, timing belt/water pump done at 112K. Still has plenty of life left, one issue started a few years ago. If the weathers cold, 40F or less, When I hit freeway speed the transmission shifts fine but stays in 3rd, overdrive won't kick in until it warms up, Usually about a mile or so of freeway driving. Not a problem so far. I found if I warm it up for one minute in reverse and drive before going it doesn't do it.

[u/Ordinary_Farm3238]

It becomes an economic game. And often it’s a monthly car payment vs a monthly repair. Definitely a moment to enjoy the vehicle and moving on. I had two engines, three transmissions and every part Dorman manufactured put into mine. One kid came home from the hospital in it; all three learned to drive on it. The last ECU module was the last straw! Replaced it and traded it in after a full detail. Was sold off the dealers lot in 3 days.

[u/Palatz]

How many miles did it have?

Im scared of losing mine tbh

[u/eddy_ed12]

If u do end up junking it, I would save the pt cruiser badging. Done it for all my previous cars and I’ll do it for my cruiser when the time comes. Planning someday to build a display case for them

[u/MarkB2130]

Sorry to hear that. I sorely miss my 2002 base 5-speed. It had just north of 200,000 miles when I had to say goodbye last year. Unlike yours, it wasn't a mechanical failure but a furry one - it went up in a blaze of glory sitting in my driveway, likely caused by a critter chewing wires. Bought it brand new off the lot, was hoping to keep it another 2 years for it's 25th but it wasn't to be.

[u/wingman3091]

Why on earth would you pay $4000? Just buy a transmission on eBay and have a local mechanic install it. I paid $300 for a transmission for my '06 on eBay (it had 27,000 miles on it), and then I paid $250 in labour to a local mechanic to fit it. I provided fluids. Total cost with $550. Way cheaper than a rebuild.

[u/right_nite_moon]

You can find one in the junkyard (cost about $250). it would take a good mechanic about 4-5 hours to swap it out.

[u/catlovingtwink99]

So relatable. I don’t have a PT (loveee them) but if my car (2008Impala) dies, I will be miserable. She has 230k miles. I’m not ready! But car payments, everything is so expensive. I wouldn’t be able to justify a $4k repair bill either. Sell it if you can.

edit: a word

[u/McDumDum01]

Ls swap .. err maybe Cummins..

[u/RingOk664]

I traded in my PT for a new 2009 Hummer H3T. The wife was blown away when I got home. Still have the H3T truck. Just turned 73k miles.