> > As I said, the EPA numbers are only useful for comparison and will
> > inevitably vary based on how idividual drivers use the gas pedal. All
> > things being equal, you could reasonably expect to get better mileage in a
> > 2002 than a 2001. I have no idea what changes were made to account for the
> > improvement. As for the inconsistency, I don't write government specs. I
> > only cite them.
> >
> > Cory
> >
> >> Must be a disconnect as far as the 2001 models. I have the EPA window
> >> sticker from my 2001 PT Cruiser from when I bought it new. Keep it
> >> framed and on the garage wall. It is a 5 speed manual. Has 20 city and
> >> 26 highway on it. That is at variance with the publications you cite.
> >> Anyway, that is just an estimate. I get much better mileage than the
> >> window Sticker. I average 23 mpg in town and 29 to 31 on the highway. > >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Cory wrote:
> >>> Hell Toupee wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Richard wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> My Cons:
> >>>>
> >>>> 1. Fuel economy. It sucks.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> If you're looking for a manual PT, avoid the 2001's. Fuel economy > > improved
> >>> in 2002. Here are the EPA numbers for non-turbos. Ref:
> >>>formatting link>>>
> >>> 2001
> >>> auto - 20/26
> >>> manual - 20/25
> >>>
> >>> 2002
> >>> auto - 19/25
> >>> manual - 21/29
> >>>
> >>> 2003
> >>> auto - 20/25
> >>> manual - 21/29
> >>>
> >>> 2004
> >>> auto - 21/26
> >>> manual - 22/29
> >>>
> >>> As you all know, these numbers are only useful for comparison and can't
> >>> factor in all the variables of real-world driving.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> 2. The incredibly STUPID design that forces the air-conditioning to
> >>>> run when you turn on the front defroster. I live in Minnesota, and
> >>>> regularly need to defrost the windshield in the winter. I _don't_
> >>>> appreciate having the air conditioning noticeably cooling the air
> >>>> when I'm trying to warm and dry the windshield. It would've made more
> >>>> sense to let people opt to turn on the a/c when using the defrosters,
> >>>> rather than having both run simultaneously as the default.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> I find this feature very useful. The A/C isn't limited to pumping out > > cool
> >>> air. You can set the temp dial anywhere you like. Warm A/C will defog
> > the
> >>> inside of the windows much faster than no A/C at all. From the owner's
> >>> manual, description of Defrost setting:
> >>>
> >>> "The air conditioning compressor operates in both Mix and Defrost or a > > blend
> >>> of these modes even if the fan switch is not in the A/C position. This
> >>> dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield."
> >>>
> >>> Cory
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
> >
>
> The 2001 PT Cruiser drive train, with standard transmission, has gear > ratios:
>
> 1st 3.5 to 1
>
> 2nd 1.96 to 1
>
> 3rd 1.36 to 1
>
> 4th 0.971 to 1
>
> 5th 0.811 to 1
>
> Axle 3.94 to 1
>
> Overall ratio is 3.2 to 1
>
>
> I had a 1980 Chevrolet Citation 2 door hatchback with a 4 speed standard
> transmission and 4 cylinder engine that I thought was fun to drive. I live
> in an apartment complex, and a couple of newer cars that I have had were
> stolen, so I bought the Citation. Nobody wanted that car, it was 5 years
> old when I bought it, and I had no problems with going out in the morning
> and finding it still there where I had parked it. I had done some work on
> the emissions, carburetion, and exhaust systems, and I really enjoyed
> driving the car until the body finally gave up on me and I had the car
> hauled to the dump. The gear ratios in the Citation were:
>
> 1st 3.53 to 1
>
> 2nd 1.95 to 1
>
> 3rd 1.24 to 1
>
> 4th 0.81 to 1
>
> Axle 3.32 to 1
>
> Overall ratio is 2.69 to 1
>
> The Citation engine was 2.5 Litres, and the PT Cruiser has a 2.4 Liter
> engine. I worked real hard at it one time and squeezed 31 miles per gallon
> of gas from the Citation. I haven't checked the mileage on the PT Cruiser
> that I bought -- I just got it a couple of weeks ago -- but most say the
> Cruisers get around 21 mpg. After driving the Cruiser, I don't see why the
> axle couldn't be 3.32 to 1 like the Citation. It would most certainly
> improve the gas mileage and wouldn't hurt the performance of the car at all,
> especially the 5 speed manual. I'm personally not interested in spinning
> tires and burning rubber, but I am interested in preserving fuel and
> reducing the long term wear and tear on the engine. The engine would turn
> fewer RPM's to go 50 or 60 MPH.
>
> Fifth Gear ratio has been changed from 0.81 to 0.72 on the 2002 models &
> newer. Final Drive ratio remains at 3.94, but effective ratio in top (5th)
> gear drops from 3.20 to 2.80.
>