The new car market is notoriously fickle, with yesterday’s “must-have” model quickly becoming cringe-inducing to current buyers. The industry’s retro models created a storm during the 1990s and into the 2000s, but with some models now discontinued and others experiencing falling sales, there is a good chance that such vehicles will soon disappear from showrooms. Chrysler rode the wave of the retro look in the 1990s when it released the Plymouth Prowler. Its styling harked back to the glory days of traditional Hot Rods, but below the surface, it was thoroughly modern. It was undeniably a niche model, and the company didn’t expect the Prowler to sell in enormous numbers. However, with sales falling short of expectations and Chrysler retiring the Plymouth marque in 2001, it soldiered on wearing Chrysler branding before the company retired the badge in February 2002. The seller describes this 2000 example as being in mint condition, and its overall presentation is quite impressive for a classic with twenty-five years of active service under its belt. The time has come for it to find a new home, with the seller listing the Plymouth here on eBay in Staten Island, New York. They set their price at $20,000 for a car that appears to need nothing.
Plymouth released the Prowler in 1997, basing its latest offering on a 1993 concept car. It was one of the first of the retro-style vehicles to hit the market, barely beating Volkswagen’s New Beetle into showrooms. It became a Chrysler model in 2001 when Plymouth joined a growing list of brands to disappear into the dusty pages of motoring history. Our feature car emerged from the factory in 2000, ordered by its first owner in Prowler Silver Metallic, 1-of-4 shades available on that year’s color palette. This car’s history is unclear, meaning we don’t know whether it is a one-owner vehicle. The seller describes it as being in “mint condition,” but then admits that there is a paint chip on the trunk. However, this doesn’t detract from the car’s appearance, which is extremely tidy. The top fits as tight as a drum, and the unique wheels are in good order. Many people believe that the front bumpers detract from the Prowler’s overall look. I have seen several cases where owners have removed the offending items, and the transformation is quite striking.
Plymouth pulled out all the stops with the Prowler, loading the interior with all of the “toys” a buyer would rightly expect from a premium model. This classic left the factory with dual airbags, air conditioning, leather trim on the seats and tilt wheel, power windows, keyless entry, cruise control, and a premium stereo. The company contrasted these modern amenities with a dash featuring retro gauges to capture old-world charm. As with the exterior, this Prowler’s interior is extremely tidy. The leather has slightly stretched and wrinkled, but there is no severe wear. It carries the hallmarks of a car that has been treated respectfully during the years that it has accumulated 48,000 miles on its odometer. The seller admits to a stereo upgrade but includes the original unit for those wishing to reverse that change.
Lifting the hood reveals what many identify as the reason the Prowler didn’t sell in greater numbers. Traditional Hot Rods, and they were this car’s inspiration, typically featured a V8 under the hood that was teamed with a manual transmission. Plymouth chose a 3.5-liter V6 and a four-speed automatic as this car’s major drivetrain components. That alienated some potential buyers, which is unfortunate considering that the engine generates a fairly respectable 253hp. That isn’t a huge number, but with the Prowler tipping the scales well below 2,900 lbs, its performance was surprisingly energetic. Potential buyers can consider this Prowler as a turnkey proposition. The seller confirms that it runs and drives well, providing the new owner with immediate enjoyable summer top-down touring.
Some automotive experiments are successful, while others fail to meet the company’s expectations. The Plymouth Prowler falls into the latter category. Plymouth didn’t expect six-figure volumes when it launched its retro model, but the peak of 3,921 cars in 1999 was disappointing. Many people point to the mechanical specifications as the inherent weakness, stating that a vehicle of this type should have featured a V8 under the hood. Would that have made a difference? That is impossible to say. Values have dropped for the 2000 Prowler during the past two years, but with the situation stabilizing, that might be the first sign that this trend is reversing. Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the classic world, and only time will reveal the truth. The seller’s price looks competitive in the face of recent successful sales results, and with summer almost here, hitting the road for a spot of top-down cruising behind the wheel of this Prowler should be quite enjoyable. Is that enough to tempt you to pursue this survivor further?
I’ve always liked these things wish was able to get it
These hit the showroom floor and people flocked..until they saw MoPar had cheaped out by installing what hot rodders saw as an underpowered economy car drivetrain. The body was a knockout but as you pointed out Adam the V6 engine alienated potential buyers looking for the old school stripped down hot rod look with some sort of a V8, maybe even with a slushbox.
Can’t sell a hot rod if it doesn’t have the “hot”. Plus, this car was always going to be a niche vehicle.
Not too sure the V6 engine was the reason these did not sell well. The Chevy SSR had the Corvette motor and did not sell well truth is at the high original price this and the SSR were a niche player furthered by two seats and not much luggage space
The retro PT cruiser and new beetle sold well with small engines but at an affordable price with room for 4 and luggage
I don’t believe that anyone that even considered buying one of these gave a second thought to back seats or luggage space. The bottom line is that they didn’t sell well is because they sound like a sewing machine, and while a true hot rod doesn’t necessarily have to as fast as a big block Corvette, it sure as hell should sound like one. To say that Plymouth didn’t read the room would be a gross understatement.
I can tell you we sold quite a few PT Cruisers because of the Prowler. Was a very easy flip. I know most of you guys would not flip from a Prowler to a PT. WE (barn Find) people are REAL car guys. Prowler/ Pt Cruiser customers had many of the same ‘wants’. Something fun,different, unique.A PT Cruiser checked those boxes for 15/18 k sticker prices.
I did sell one Prowler. No names please. Cleveland Indians short stop in 2000. Only one I ever sold.
Mint condition with 48,000 miles? Years ago i sold at toy shows the only thing you could call mint condition was something factory sealed never opened in the box.
Good ✍️ write up Clarkey. As you mentioned a later offering. 253hp and a respectable 255ft-lb with the 4sp Autostick™️ autoloader, but how about the aggressive gears ⚙️ from the factory. 3.89s back there. With only 2900lbs to move about.
The coolest car that many will never allow themselves permission to enjoy. True, it’s a parts bin car. No, it’s not going to fry those 20″ rollers. It’s only going to transport you and your favorite person. What this car is, is the most affordable turn key custom car with every convenience that you can drive. The dealer network is there to support you and you’ll have a smile all the way from point A to point B.
I don’t know about having a dealer network. You can’t get parts for cars over 10 years old hardly, but not interested in SILVER cars. Red, blue, anything but silver.
As an Oldcowboy once said, all hat and no cattle, ie 3.5 v6 and a slush box auto .Sorry no surprise that they didn’t sell well.
…so, we have a car whose seats look like a 400 pound fattie has been living there…also, in the e-bay ad, there is a list of things that were repaired that maybe should be done in a car with 120,000 miles, not 40 thousand something….my 2010 Challenger has similar miles, with none of that work necessary…why, I ask ? ….is there many more miles than indicated ?
…so, we have a car whose seats look like a 400 pound fattie has been living there…also, in the e-bay ad, there is a list of things that were repaired that maybe should be done in a car with 120,000 miles, not 40 thousand something….my 2010 Challenger has similar miles, with none of that work necessary…why, I ask ? ….is there many more miles than indicated ?
Don’t get me wrong: I’d love to use the Prowler to Tour the country with my wife. I like the Prowler, the little V-6 makes decent HP and Torque without a blower or Turbo (and I’d bet that an Eaton M-90, Gen 5 blower off of a L-32 Grand Prix could be adapted fairly easily or you could find a 1st Generation Pacifica’s 4.0 stroker SOHC 24 valve Pent-Roof 60 degree V-6), but As I rapidly approach Retirement Age (and I’ve been retired as soon as I Qualified), three things kill the a Prowler for me: 1) Storage area for a Spare Tire, 2) All tires and wheels aren’t the same size (staggered sized Wheels requires 2 spare tires) and the lack of a Carson Top. And the matching Trailer is kind of a Rolling Insult to the mission of the Prowler.
Instead, I’ll look for a Chrysler TC by Maserati and buy enough parts to turn up the Turbo II, brakes and suspension to where it’s “quick enough to really enjoy it on winding roads….”
What is this osession with horsepower and a stick shift? I bet the ones who wail the loudest have never driven a sports car at the limits. This obsession with a 900 hp V8, or whatever is infantile. The engine in the original Prowler was more than sufficient to scare hell out of 95% of all drivers. This machine was a gas, it was fabulous just as it came from the factory.
Michael P. It’s nice to know that the folks that drive PT Cruisers and Prowlers are REAL car people. I guess that us poor common folks that drive big block ‘Vettes and blown street roadsters are probably not too welcome at your picnics.