The Worst Car Ever Created

or at least, worst made in recent American history

Living in the United States, you are surrounded by cars all of the time. Most everybody in the country either owns a car, or you at least see cars regularly as you commute to work or school. But, in the recent history of automotive production in America, what is the worst car? 

This.

In 2001, the car-making industry in America was just starting into a period of nearly half a dozen years economic decline that would nearly finish many automotive companies. Chrysler was one of these companies that were having difficulty in the ailing economy, so they decide to release the PT Cruiser.

This is directly from the Chrysler Group, in the press kit they released upon the PT Cruiser launch:"In the U.S., potential customers often view themselves as the 'social chairperson' and are not afraid of going their own way... The PT Cruiser can be whatever the individual owner wants it to be and fits any lifestyle."
They go on to say that their target market was young, adventurous people, who need an affordable, stylish car that could be versatile enough to fit the needs of a young person.

They created a car with the target market in mind being a group that doesn't care one lick about a car that is especially fast or good looking, but rather, seeks out a car for its functionality. I must admit, most of us value this in a car, but the PT doesn't have functionality. Chrysler gave the PT an impressive amount of cargo space in the back, but then cut that space in half with a ridiculous and pointless plastic shelf that they claimed could be useful "in tailgates or parties". They actually wanted college kids to buy this car.

Chrysler eventually realized that young people absolutely abhorred this car because it just looks terrible and there is nothing to it at all to be proud of. 

So they changed their target market to elderly people, who they found were buying them up in great numbers. Why were oldies attracted to this car? I can not say, but Chrysler was quoted in saying that "the older client base was attracted to the PT Cruiser... it reminded them of the days when they had family wagons." 

So nostalgia was what they were shooting for... and they give us this.

Dreadful.

So lets talk about some other things they did with this car, that, according to Chrysler, "transcends traditional automotive expectations by creating a new segment". 

• The interior is possibly the most cramped, miserable thing ever. Its like a prison cell on wheels.
• There is virtually no suspension. Because they were marketing to people who were older and clearly don't care about cars for performance, they created this little gremlin of a car that has no handling, no turning radius, no speed, and no acceleration.  (Unless or course you bought the one with the Turbo, in which case you probably aren't intelligent enough to even read this blog)

The only positive about this car - affordability. I would list affordability as a positive for a loaf of bread as well. 

The biggest negatives -this car serves little purpose at all, outside of the fact that it can roll forward. The ride comfort is much like sitting down on a skateboard, and even being near one makes you feel embarrassed.

Because they failed to ever actually find what they wanted to accomplish by being so unique, what came from the PT Cruiser is, well basically nothing. Truly a pile of worthless nothing, that hurts your stomach to look at. I would rather drive an 8 foot wide cheeseburger in my everyday commute.

This is what we should do to all remaining PT Cruisers.

http://youtu.be/G9_tuqAawJE

We should all seek to be as enterprising as these lads.

In summation, though you still see a lot of these cars still on the road, this car is about as useful as a snooze button on a smoke alarm.

THE WORST CAR EVER MADE
Chrysler PT Cruiser

1. If you disagree because you are an oldie who is enamored with your precious wood-grain paneled PT, I would love to hear your complaint via comment.
2. If you are a college kid who bought one to go tailgating and has loved your PT, I would love to hear your complaint via comment.
3. If you think that you have an argument as to which car might actually be worse, comment.