It’s hard to imagine now, but I remember the first PT Cruiser I ever saw at a dealership. It was parked very conspicuously out front, literally with a velvet rope around it so you couldn’t get too close. Super popular car but do you want to be the one who paid over sticker for it?

I do it all the time. You don’t turn down that opportunity!

I think the front end finally looks sorted. I like how the grille perimeter is cleaned up and minimized. I would worry that those twin-slit lights don’t put out enough light, though.

Upside-down SC2 is worst SC2.

Upside-down SC2 is worst SC2.

Wow, impressive that you can still get parts so easily for them. They had a big following back then so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

I recall reading back then that the twin-cam Saturn engine in the SC2/SL2 was the 2nd most reliable engine behind some Toyota engine of the time. I never had one myself but my girlfriend had an SL1 (SOHC). That engine failed (don’t remember how) and she ended up with a 1994 Honda Accord Coupe, her favorite car to this…

I knew a girl who had one exactly like that but first-year (I believe yours is a refresh?). Compared to my Geo Storm GSi, it seemed to have much more torque. Both were fun cars to drive.

So the story about McQueen trying to buy it back was phony? I haven’t seen anything to dispel this whole story. I think I even recall seeing a photo of a letter he supposedly wrote to try to get it. That would be unbelievable fraud.

Original SC2 is best SC2.

Great article, Matt. Thanks.

Maybe buy him dinner first.

It’s hard to explain to the yutes what a big deal this was when it came out. It was a Space Ship Vette for Space Shuttle times, what with the clean sharky lines, “turbine” wheels, and Atari dashboard. I was literally sick with want for this thing when I was in high school! And 250hp may be laughable now, but at the…

That car has more of a sad fish face than I realized before.

Good thing it wasn’t an Aventador or the little scamp would still be in it.

Pretty squishy looking at the front in profile. It’s starting to look like a FoST. Not necessarily a bad thing, IMO. But sliding away from the upright (uptight?) boxy look that made them famous.

That’s something we all have in common.

I would say that C2 and C3 Corvettes were pretty shouty, though. Especially C3.

Fair enough, but brands do change I suppose. Look at Ferraris from the last 10 years compared to before and even now.