2001PlymouthProwlerPlymouth Prowler2001 Plymouth ProwlerConvertibleConvertibleRWDDetroit, MIGet your Plymouth Prowler while you can. After 2001 it goes away…and becomes the Chrysler Prowler. Sure, it will be the identical car, but that powerful Plymouth Prowler alliteration will be gone forever! Oh, yeah, you can get these in copper metallic and a silver/black combination this year. New adjustable damper shocks are offered as standard equipment.Garners major attention, very cool looking, performs better than you might think.Garners major attention, uncomfortable, no V8, no manual transmission, price gouging by dealers.Chrysler has taken the drawing board directly into the manufacturing plant. The Prowler is simply a concept car that has magically seen the light of day, and though it's not the most impressive car performance-wise, it is a most impressive display of Chrysler's commitment to fun. Modeled after traditional hot rods of the 1950s, the Prowler certainly looks the part, despite the federally mandated but truly dopey-looking gray front bumpers. Painted in a variety of colors, including new copper and a silver/black combination for 2001, Prowler is equipped with massive 20-inch chrome wheels in back (fronts are 17s). With its extremely high beltline, you'll feel like you're treading water in a pool, and with the top up, visibility is a joke. Trunk space is even more amusing if you've got more than a briefcase to haul around. The retro aluminum bodywork is wrapped around an all-aluminum frame supported by an aluminum four-wheel independent suspension. New this year are adjustable dampers that let you soften the ride; a welcome feature, as this roadster tends to ride harshly. Lousy leather-wrapped seats don't promote comfort over the long haul, and Chrysler parts bin bits combine with questionable ergonomics (center-mounted gauges?) to remind you that form definitely takes precedence over function in this vehicle. And if the styling isn't attracting enough attention, you can crank up the 320-watt Infinity sound system, with speed-compensated volume control, to make sure everyone notices you. Prowler's powertrain somewhat disappoints. A stout 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine, capable of producing 253 horsepower and 255 foot-pounds of torque, powers this Plymouth from rest to 60 mph in 6 seconds, but without sufficient exhaust rumble. It's mated to Chrysler's lame AutoStick automanual transmission, which is certainly no substitute for a real manual gearbox. So, no V8 and no stick: if this constitutes the hardware of the modern hot rod, we'll take a pass. The Prowler offers better handling than you might think, but the comparably priced Corvette will wax it while offering superior comfort and amenities. This car will turn heads, even in exotic car-jaded towns like Los Angeles or Palm Beach. If you're not a celebrity but you want to feel like one, here's the recipe: buy a Plymouth Prowler. Drop the top. Cruise up and down your local strip. Wave at the gawking crowd. Just don't try to drag race any real muscle cars. BMW Z3Mercedes-Benz SLKMitsubishi Eclipse SpyderToyota MR2 Spyder336,000336,000336,0005100,000NANANA63.5 litersV6253 hp @ 6400 rpm255 ft-lbs. @ 3950 rpm165.3 in.76.5 in.50.9 in.2850 lbs.113.3 in.37.4 in.NA51.6 in.NA52.1 in.NA42.9 in.NA3 cu.ft.Not AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested12.2 gal.17 mpg / 23 mpg207 mi. / 281 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$41,270$44,2257.35%$775N/A3% of the Total MSRPPROWLER (4A): 3.5L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD auto-manual transmission with lock-up torque converter; 500 amp battery; 90 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 3.89 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel disc brakes; 12.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; manual convertible roof with a glass rear window, roll-over protection; front and rear colored bumpers; rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; projector beam halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored outside mirrors; front 17" x 7.5" and rear 20" x 10" chrome alloy wheels; front P225/45VR17 BSW and rear P295/40VR20 run-flat tires; alloy spare wheel; air conditioning; premium AM/FM stereo radio,clock, seek-scan, cassette player, 6-disc CD changer, 7 premium speakers, premium amplifier, graphic equalizer, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, remote trunk release; 1 power accessory outlet; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, compass, exterior temp, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunk ajar, low tire pressure; driver's front airbag, passenger's cancelable front airbag; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 2, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-wayadjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert, full carpet floor covering with floor mats, leather-wrapped gearshift knob; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box with light, front cupholder, 2 seatback storage pockets; carpeted cargo floor; body-colored grille, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.