posted 08-17-2011 04:06 PM                  

Plymouth Prowler 1997-2002

A modern interpretation of the classic hot rod, the Prowler was built to capitalize on the success of another retro car, the Dodger Viper. It was undone by a series of engineering compromises deemed "inauthentic," such as a V-6 engine and automatic transmission. Wickedly unstable because of the light front end, only 1,426 cars, priced at $44,625 apiece, were built during its last year of production.

This article is actually pretty old..I think Yahoo is rehashing its own articles

posted 08-18-2011 09:12 AM                  

Has the writer of this article ever driven, rode in, or even seen in person ANY of the vehicles that he or she would so readily pass judgement on? Regarding the Prowler "wickedly unstable" because of the light front end? The car has nearly a 50/50 weight distribution & rack & pinion steering. What on earth is meant by that comment "wickedly unstable"?

Now "only 1,426 cars, priced at $44,625 apiece, were built during its last year of production." Hello? Was any research whatsoever done here? Production ended in February of 2002. The Prowler was hand assembled at 14 cars per day with those production figures going back to 2001.

posted 08-22-2011 10:56 AM                  

1. It wasn't built to "capitalize" on Viper. It was built as a concept car and it created such a "buzz", they brought it to production to promote Plymouth brand same as Viper was built to promote Dodge. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save Plymouth, but sure had an impact on the auto enthusiasts.

2. It's hardly unstable.

3. It wasn't built to be a "performance" car, just a fun cruising car.

4. It was an experiment on two levels - a. Using aluminum to build the car and b. using parts from other existing vehicles (hence the reason why they called it the "parts car". It took far less time and money to bring it to production because of that.

5. This was a hand built car, same as Viper and they don't build as many in a year as a normal production vehicle.

posted 08-22-2011 09:00 PM                  

I was right behind you, they were actually giving me the 10!

posted 08-22-2011 10:11 PM                  

Whether GM would risk the Corvette owner's loyalty to put that V-6 in the Corvette, in place of the V-8 HO, is something I'd have to see first.

Risky.....but, there is one Corvette every mile, lol.

posted 08-22-2011 10:20 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by padroo:
I hate to burst your bubble Windy but''''''''''''''''''''

I was right behind you, they were actually giving me the 10!

SORRY!

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posted 08-27-2011 10:39 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by CJ:
I hate writers who don't know what they are talking about!

1. It wasn't built to "capitalize" on Viper. It was built as a concept car and it created such a "buzz", they brought it to production to promote Plymouth brand same as Viper was built to promote Dodge. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save Plymouth, but sure had an impact on the auto enthusiasts.

2. It's hardly unstable.

3. It wasn't built to be a "performance" car, just a fun cruising car.

4. It was an experiment on two levels - a. Using aluminum to build the car and b. using parts from other existing vehicles (hence the reason why they called it the "parts car". It took far less time and money to bring it to production because of that.

5. This was a hand built car, same as Viper and they don't build as many in a year as a normal production vehicle.

While we were cruising on Woodward one evening last week, a guy in a 50th anniversary Thunderbird pulled up next to me and complimented me on the car. He said that Chrysler did an awesome job, and was way ahead of everyone else, in building a retro car like the Prowler and that they had the to guts to do it. He said that he thought that was what inspired Ford and Chevy to build the car he was driving and the Chevy SSR.

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posted 09-13-2011 08:04 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by beachcat:
Wickedly unstable front end??? I don't find that at all.

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have not experienced it myself, but have heard at over 125 the front end seems light.

I was driving at about 115 with trailer in high banks at proving grounds and it felt OK to me, Tom Mills has a picture of speedo at 105 ......... LOL

it really felt odd to be turning left in the upper lane at 85mph and having to turn the steering wheel to the right, was told you needed to be at over 100 to stay in the upper lane, I think they are right.

Idiots, plain idiots, most think because it is a V 6 it isn't worthy. at 2,820 shipping weight they run pretty good IMO