Plymouth Prowlers

Right, this is one for the yanks.

What is the general perception on prowlers? Yes i know they are no Ferrari or Lambo or Porker but I'm just trying to get an idea of the publics opinion on them.

I am in desperate need of a toy for the summer and have always been one for extravagant looking cars. A Diablo VT is my preference but is simply not practical at the moment. I do not want any kit cars or cars that behave like a kit car i.e. TVR's, Nobles etc etc. Just something that when i get back at the weekend gives me the urge to get out there and go for a drive.

Its not about posing but just enjoying what you have so being able to relax and enjoy a nice drive is what i'm really after.

I test drove a fabulous cobra but the owner wouldnt budge on the price which was frustrating given it had sold years previous for ££££'s less but good on him, he later sold it. I honestly think i'll be taking a hit on the prowler but to be truthful, at the end of the day I think it'll give me the buzz and desire to drive that i want.

You can see the link below, its the one at 26,995 and has the front bumpers etc removed to create a more hod-rodish look, where i personally think works well. It also has a towbar which would come in handy for trailering the Impreza to trackdays etc

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=PLYMOUTH&model=PROWLER&min_pr=2000&max_pr=250000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=rg10+9aa&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Regards,

Matthew

 

A neat all around cruiser. Gets tons of looks still. 6 cylinder and not so fast but eh who cares right. top down just cruising in a unique looking vehicle. Go for it.

 

I have always liked the unique look of the Prowler, but the V-6 coupled with the autostick transmission always left me scratching my head. Why on earth Plymouth put that combination in the Prowler will always baffle me. If you can live with that combo (I couldn't), the Prowler would be a fun weekend toy.

 

I sort of like it. Why not see if you could buy an older 993 or something?

 

I like the looks of the, but a V-6 with an automatic would not work for me. I know a guy that owned one, when he tried to sell it, no one was interested, so he traded it in and took a huge lose versus what he had paid for it. If resale is important look for a car that appeals to a larger group.

Matt

 

I like 'em.

A few months ago, I took a 200 mile round trip - saw a Prowler in my rear view - let 'em pass just so I could enjoy the view. As it happens, it was equipped with a trailer, much like the one is which you're inquiring about. To, me, that just added more smiles per mile.

I can still *see* it.

I like 'em.

 

They are cool rides. With Chrysler getting so many cars right lately, I just cant believe they never put a v-8 into it. Even a 4.7HO would have given the car the right look and more importantly the right sound of a hot rod. It didn't even have to be a big horsepower motor. Matthew, your right, the front probiscus, I mean, bumper has to go. I've seen some really good looking hot rod style low set chrome bumpers that really looked good.

Darrell.

 

Friend rented one for prom, his thoughts:

"Well it was deffinetly fun to cruise around in. Everyone stares at you, you get alot of people wanting to race too. After I dropped my girlfriend off I took it out on her back road and tried to step on it and do a little sporty driving...but the thing didn't really have any 'go' to it."

 

They certainly aren't blazing, but they aren't as slow as you would think. The later models made 253 hp and 255 ft-lbs and weighed in at just over 2800 lbs. That's not too bad. They definately still get the stares. Just like a Viper, if you can get past some of the parts bin stuff on the interior, they're really cool cars. Just watch the front fenders, they hang low and like to break off, and aren't cheap.

 

Didn't Lingenfelter offer an engine upgrade kit for the Prowler???

I seem to remember either a S/C or V8 upgrade being available...

 

My friend had one for a few years and tried to sell it to me a few years back for 25k. My impressions Slow, the auto drove me nuts, and the sound was even worse. Neat car for sure and you will get tons of looks, but thats all it is.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, its good to get different feedback and is more than i expected to be honest.

I test drove tha prowler today. First thoughts.......it looked gorgeous as i knew it would, especially with those front bumpers removed. Did a couple of circles around it then put the top down, although its a manual roof, its not too bad and folded away into the rear section which actually only has space for a squashed sandwich.

I was really unsure as to how it would sound, idling it was quite nice and alot louder than i thought when the foot was right down but just driving around normally it is very strange, the revs and engine note getting higher but not really feeling any difference in speed so i would basically say the response on it was pretty bad. This a result of it being an automatic of course as I've felt this before in the V8 Discovery and Jag etc. Only a four speed which is very unusual to us brits but so be it. Either way, i knew it was not going to be a quick car so that did not disappoint me, I have others.

The interior i knew was typically american but must say it was better than i thought, fairly comfy too.

I think I'm going to go for it and negotiate a couple of thousand off the selling price. Although it is a 98 model and only has 9500km (which is great), I think it is well over-priced at £27000 as i know some previous sellers have struggled to sell them in this country for the same price. If the price is right when i resell, there should be someone that dies for those looks as that is all i think it has, fabulous looks, the rest is so-so.

I could buy a Porsche, Noble, TVR, etc etc but they just dont do it for me. I have a desire to own cars with jaw-dropping looks thus giving me the urge to just sit and stare at them or go out for long country drives etc. Porsches are nice but the only ones i like are the 993 GT2, RS's, Carrera GT's (you see where i'm going), the normal models just blend in with the rest of the crowd. TVR's and Nobles etc are going to squeak, rattle and leak which I'm just not going to entertain. What else? Well I dont like any Ferraris unless they have a badge on the rear saying either F40, F50 or 288GTO so I've a while to wait for that. Lambo's? Yes that is the dream and will become reality in next two years when it is practical. Owning a Diablo at the moment just isnt the sensible thing, unfortunately it is all due to other peoples perceptions, crazy but that is the way it is.

All i am after is a car that when i arrive back home for the weekend, gives me a buzz to look at. This is i believe achievable with this car, selling it later for what i pay is not. I suppose i have just got use to buying cars that held their value therefore being a good investment. Still we'll wait and see.

Will post a few pics when i pick it up next week, thats if the negotiation is successful (he has no choice in my books!)

Regards,

Matthew

 

Look forward to the pics Matt.

 

the drivetrain is from a dodge intrepid
dont even think about cracking it up a little. your paying through the nose
they are hard to work on
they are a cult car and hold their value somewhat, but definately and underperformer.

 

My friend has owned his "black tie" Prowler since new.

Undeniably, it is a nice looking car. In my opinion, it handles reasonably well. The power is adequate, just don't drag race any Mustang GTs or Corvettes.

On the downside, there is entirely too much cowl shake for any convertible built after 1995. You can feel the car flex over any undulation in the road. The interior pieces are a bit cheesy when you take into account the original list price of the car and the automatic transmission is not very good especially when compared to the automatic found in the new Corvette. If you are going to drive the car on a somewhat daily basis you will have to refinish the lower valance because inevitably it will become scuffed and scratched.

I guess it is one of those cars that fails to strike a chord with me. It's design makes a promise that the car itself doesn't keep.

 

boring car, despite the radical looks. I would be happier with my c2

 

Look for a Howler. Yes that is its name. it is a prowler with the V8. You can tell the difference as the prowlers trunk slopes down and the howler slopes up and has a flad rear deck (boot)

I have only seen 1 roaming around in SF.

 

great looks, terrible performance! I have seen a v10 swapped with a 6speed though!

 

Theres no way i could get one of these V8's or even V10's in the uK though. They would be absolutely awesome though. I do admit the drive is pretty bad compared to other cars. Oh what to do.............

 

I'm a little late but the Prowler definitely gets tons of stares and I would imagine even more in the UK just like a Lotus would get more stares in the US than it does over there.
I actually saw one a few weeks ago with no bumpers (picture), it does look a lot better without them. The engine didn't sound that great but he definitely got a lot of stares
I'm glad you decided to go for it, post pictures!
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Thanks for the pic webby. You hit the nail on the head about the looks. I'd rather this than an Esprit V8 or whatever, TVR Cerbera, tuscan or sagaris, Porsche 911 c4s etc as a result of it being completely different. And i think the looks outshine all of them. For me, its not about posing at all. I learnt the hard way some ten years ago that attracting attention can be a very bad thing. I just cant wait to see it sitting in my garage.

 

never mind the silly cars. the prowler never really caught on in america because they were dreadfully slow

if you're looking for a car that'll be tons of fun, and always start up and run. i'd reccommend a lancer evolution FQ-340 (well any of the FQ's would be nice). or an ariel atom, but thats a little more hardcore

at least thats what i'd if i had easy access to wonderful cars like that. unfortunately, i'll have to stick to my DIY US evo FQ-400

 

Got an Impreza that i use for the track. The FQ400's etc are nice but i've never took to them as much as subarus (i just love that noise). The thing about this car is it has a roof, looks the dogs baws and isnt going to rattle and squeak etc etc. I know its slow but i can fill that gap with other cars. I just want something that looks crazy!

Nobody and i mean nobody over here has one, you see lotus's, nobles, tvr's porsches etc etc and i'm bored with that.

 

Old friend of mine in the car business lists it as his personal "worst car ever."

(Taken from www.chipcolandreo.com):

http://web.mac.com/chip.colandreo/iWeb/Your%20Friend%20in%20the%20Business/Inside%20the%20Business/C18CEB42-269A-447B-BDBD-32986BB692F5.html

--Mike