Retro Review: 1997 Plymouth Prowler - Concept Car for the Street

Retro Reviews are BACK! (kind of). We're upgrading to a higher-quality tape converter, but in the meantime here's a road test of a rare 1997 Plymouth Prowler. It doesn't get any more retro than this!

[@Tool0GT92]

Seeing Plymouth again reminds me of when one car was made by six different car companies.

[@sanstheskeleton2023]

As if GM didn't do that.

[@wickedhouston5538]

and Ford

[@hakeemsd70m]

'97 Toyota Camry and '97 Lexus ES. The Infiniti QX4 was literally a Pathfinder with leather seats. Why do Japanese automakers always get a pass for doing the same thing the Americans get lambasted for?

[@LarryLopez91]

@@hakeemsd70m Typically, a Japanese car will fall victim to badge engineering with just one other brand (Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX). Back in the 80s and 90s though, the "big 3" would rebadge a vehicle across 3 or even 4 of their brands!

[@man_on_wheelz]

One of the few cars in the world that has not depreciated. This car still goes for $30,000-$40,000 used and modified. Truly a one of a kind car and I want one so damn bad!

[@gzuzsavz]

another positive comment!! Yaaaas!!! Lesse..we're outnumbered, but suck it, trolls. we ain't leavin. the Prowler was, is and will be great and loved.

[@MidnightPolaris800]

They are really cool cars

[@2steaksandwiches665]

Crazy seven years later they’re still stuck in the low 30s I’ve wanted to pull the trigger on one for years, but for some reason I don’t

[@blackericdenice]

This is the same company who put power windows in front of a Neon and rollup window in the back.

[@LamontBoucherville]

Hey the neon is a classic

[@honkhonkler7732]

Lol my 2016 Ford Focus rental had that exact same arrangement.

[@wickedhouston5538]

to save costs

[@MidnightPolaris800]

Yeah it was a compact car dude wtf😂

[@eltonjohn3236]

People need to stop thinking that this was meant to be a serious vehicle. It was meant to be fun, stylish, interesting, and unique.

[@thephranc]

people this was never meant to be a performance car. it was an exercise in style and tech mpstly in materials.

[@aaronp5706]

thephranc Thank you.

[@aaronp5706]

Really? It's a car and you have to name call?*****

[@blackericdenice]

Aaron P The car should have had a v8.

[@aaronp5706]

***** Once again, that has nothing to do with the name calling.

[@aaronp5706]

***** I might if I knew what that was. And I want nothing to do with your "black ass." I suspect very few people want anything to do with you which is why you're so cranky and irritable. I like the headset in your picture. I would like fries with that. "Thank you, drive thru."

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

As a kid this car ALWAYS fascinated me…automakers just don’t make cars with Indy-car style wheels up front you can drive on the street!

[@duke6j]

Wish I had the room in my garage for this beautiful car!

[@JT-kr3dg]

I really enjoy Motorweek, always miss it on public TV. If only the Prowler had the Power to match the well executed, modern hotrod look.

[@TJC450]

Glad to see you're back up and running with retro reviews.

[@palebeachbum]

As it is, the V6 was shoehorned under the hood. I'm not sure where you guys think they could have fit a V8 in there. As much of an epic fail as you may think it is, keep in mind Chrysler had no problem selling these. They weren't exactly hanging around dealership lots. People were paying more than sticker and they are now considered a collectable. Price out a 1997 Prowler. Not cheap.

[@hanksgarage_]

palebeachbum yup Chrysler had no issue selling these. People loved them for the looks. Hell I think it still looks good. Wanted one of these as a kid and yes they are collectible for sure!

[@aayonce4]

palebeachbum I don't know where you got your info from but these things didn't sell well at all.

[@DrewLSsix]

aayonce4. how do you figure? it was a limited production specialty car so exactly how many were supposed to be sold? some perspective.... the prowler sold about 11,700 copies total in 5 years, and you consider it a failure? the beloved GTR didnt reach that number until at least its 8th production year and by its 5th year only sold a bit over 6 thousand copies.

[@marcoarreola9058]

palebeachbum people have ls swapped them, and even a 6.1 hemi in one. It could be done.

[@frankburns8871]

They go balls-out with the production hotrod styling, and then give it a six-banger and automatic transmission. How do you take that big of a risk and then completely wuss out on it? It makes no sense. Nobody wants to drive a car that looks like that but can't back it up with some real performance. Kinda reminiscent of how GM half-assed the Fiero in the 80s.

[@nathanpetrohilos]

late Fieros were great. really its more sad story of gm internal politics. Nothing can be better than the 'vette!

[@frankburns8871]

Nathan Petrohilos Yeah, but by the time Pontiac made the Fiero a real sports car, it was too late. It had already gained a reputation for being an economy car with flashy styling and an anemic engine and reliability issues. Its mid-engine design should have given it great handling abilities, at least, but since it was basically a Chevette underneath, it didn't even manage that.

[@Magnero]

The last year didn't have chevette suspension. It's a 3 link 4 wheel independent suspension. Fun car to drive :)

[@frankburns8871]

corvusala I know, but like I said, by then it was too late, because it had gained the reputation from the original chintzy versions. It should have had a decent suspension from the start.

[@DrewLSsix]

corvusala. the chevette suspension was in the front, the 88 got an updated rear suspension that replaced Citation/Phoenix front suspension that was grafted almost entirely intact. 88 also had an undated front suspension but it was still Chevette based.

[@TheEddy1122]

Could you guys please release the review for that generation of Chrysler town and country shown in this video ?

[@noriceformeplz]

Man, the 90's was the best for automotive engineering.

[@andrahbell7020]

after all these years I still want one

[@Happyman-od7zp]

I'm happy the retro reviews are back! Great videos guys and gals! ;)

[@silverwings11035]

I love that the tunnel it drives through is the entrance to Toon Town from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, also in Back to the Future 2 and War Games. Lol

[@julianmartinez6825]

5 years ago I went to test drive one, dealer wanted 26k no negotiable, apr rate wasn't helping eather, 5 years later price is the same!! I was paying my Hummer H3 at the same time I wanted to get the prowler but I got me a BMW z4 instead, now that I paid both of my dream cars off, I think I'm ready to get me one!! 25k us dls is my budget!!🤞

[@MrKilroy3]

Has motor week ever reviewed a 1980's mercury capri? I'd be interested in seeing one.

[@TheSouperNova]

Do you guys have a review of the 1st gen Durango (98-03) ?

[@gzuzsavz]

best suv ever! yeah, it's hidden in a video of other vehicles, i think if u search it it'll come up, i forget which yr but 1st gen.

[@JahnoKestt]

Love these retro reviews. And John, you age well just like the Prowler!

[@clubdancer2000]

I have a Black 1999 Prowler and Love it..! Simple as that...!

[@gzuzsavz]

yaaaas! we hear from an actual owner, not a troll! verdict?

[@Tbolt1000TForLife]

Can you upload the Plymouth Acclaim and Dodge Spirit reviews?

[@mollybags455]

I miss these shows on Saturday tv

[@mr.boostang2064]

if they were so determined to keep it a v6 in 1997 they could've at the very least put the 6g72tt from the 3000gt vr4/stealth rt tt

[@flyingbisquick3798]

Had a stealth with that motor it was in the shop a lot

[@77devera]

Like the ending with getting pulled over by the COPS!

[@seinsmeld13]

Other than the front bumpers....this was a great looking car.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

The biggest flaw of the Plymouth Prowler was its automatic transmission. Roadsters should have manuals, period. Also, it would’ve had a lot more standout character with a supercharged V8 Hemi. Roadsters generally aren’t intended to be practical, unless they’re strictly Grand tourers, and the Prowler is even less practical than most, so it might as well have a 6-speed and a supercharged Hemi V8.

[@MrRandomReviews]

awesome now this is a retro review im excited about!

[@bestmillimeter1858]

John looks older then, than he does now...

[@Bargainteers]

Mel Laknanurak he's just getting younger

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

So... are people storing these away as "classics" these days? because I've never seen one on the road since the late 90's.

[@alfonsoponce7940]

Would like to see a small overlap crash test of this little guy...

[@MyRaptorz]

FINALLY A RETRO REVIEW!!!!! 🙌🏾

[@larquefausse3623]

Despite the hate it got for being a V6 and automatic, for an 20 year old American car, it has retained value very well in the used market.

[@gzuzsavz]

hot collector car now & the 253 hp version soon after this one dipped into the 6's. hardly slow, esp for the day.

[@thomasaquinas5262]

The Prowler was not designed for sales; it was meant to increase showroom floor traffic and to caste an aura over the entire car line. Trouble was, it was such an impractical car, no one bought them and thus it was an expensive sidetrack for the strapped company.

[@seinsmeld13]

My neighbour has one of these. It's been a terrible car for him. He's currently trying to unload it. I can't wait to see that purple car disappear.

[@pbfloyd13]

no manual, no v8, no thanks.

[@nissantech8857]

Still a dream car

[@samuelellis1316]

I would say it looks pretty good. I wonder what kind of engine swaps people do to it.

[@angusandleigh]

One was at Moparfest last year with a 6.1L HEMI installed...the guy did a hell of a job, it looked completely factory...says the rear transaxle is beefy enough to take it too...barely, but it did...

[@77chatham]

7.5 sec to 60mph? That's slower that a same year Acura Integra GSR

[@aaronp5706]

micheal jackson Heart pounding acceleration is not what it was designed for.

[@jamesgeese]

HF Daydreamer handling is great

[@USCG.Brennan]

1969 Barracuda??? How old is this guy....the first Barracuda came out in 1964, just shortly before the Mustang!!

[@gzuzsavz]

plymouth had a car called a roadrunner, too..all it's own. till '74. ik, gee i guess he didn't remember one of THE GREATEST MUSCLE CARS EVER! lmbo.

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

how can this be ALMOST 20 years ago?

[@Janet71990]

Can you make more of Plymouth’s 1993

[@MilosCsrb]

Beautiful car

[@maryland77]

295/40/20 in 1997, yikes! I'd hate to be tire shopping back then.

[@nathanpetrohilos]

missed you baby

[@aidaaliten8817]

if only it had a v8 manual, it could have been a very different story

[@myname9252]

Cool car. Would have been even cooler with the Snakes motor.

[@Slickpete83]

0 to 60 in 7.5 epic fail !!!!!! even at 2900lbs and for that time period

[@kgarba9253]

Slickpete83 updated with 235 horses power soon after

[@SonOfTamriel]

Still wasn't that quick. My Dad had a 92 Taurus SHO and his brother had the updated Prowler. Couldn't keep up with the SHO

[@mr.queasy2280]

This is a cruiser not a drag car

[@gzuzsavz]

the soon after this increase 253 hp prowler dipped into the 6's.

[@BornToBeFamed]

Its actually 5.7

[@derekintrovert5619]

Hand Built in The Same Factory as The Viper

[@bendsomemetal]

What happened to Chrysler?

[@palebeachbum]

Mercedes took over and all hell broke loose.

[@SomethingFunny454]

Now it's Fiat's turn.

[@dontelindsey5846]

bendsomemetal Ford Robert Eaton that sob screwed everything up with greed

[@JimmyDoresHairDye]

Should have had a heavily reworked V8 or at the very least, a blower on that 3.5.

[@bensmith4563]

That could have been a really cool car

[@1dewoine]

man i didnt realize it was 97

[@MrRandomReviews]

its so sad that this thing was SOOOO underpowered it had so much potential but they held back on performance WTF was chrysler thinking? putting that god awful 3.5 in it too

[@joesjunkcars6328]

Its like they just used whatever parts they had left over for the power-train.

[@BCJDM]

one of the most underwhelming cars.

[@KevinCruz-pu2ue]

I can't think of a better example of how to take a car that's guaranteed to sell, and make it unsellable, than charging $39,000 in 1997 dollars for a car that had neither practicality nor performance. Two seats with no spare tire, no trunk room, a V6 with a 4 speed auto that barely breached 200HP, and an electronically-limited top speed of 118MPH.

[@TheZProtocol]

I can't help but notice how similar the PT Cruiser and the Prowler look

[@JakeFromLateFarm]

The PT Cruiser was initially intended to be sold as a Plymouth, but once Chrysler decided to axe the brand, they transfered the PT into the Chrysler line-up as they later did with the Prowler and the Voyager.

[@thegrinch304]

Ugh they've could did so much with this car. it had so much potential. Why give it a v8 look but not make it with a v8 or v12 engine? It'll be nice they bring it back out. Gm did a better job with the ssr.

[@nathanielkubaile5122]

I can't help but want to swap a SHO V6 in there and a 5 speed..

[@Slickpete83]

Nathaniel Kubaile why ???? u might at well swap in a LS2 V8 corvette engine

[@joesjunkcars6328]

How much horsepower do you think that FWD transmission can take.

[@DrewLSsix]

Joe's Junk Cars. did you miss the "and a 5 speed" bit?

[@joesjunkcars6328]

I was talking to the LS2 V8 guy.

[@ztwntyn8]

Too bad they didn’t have a viper vibe...

[@MarkMeadows90]

Put a 5.2L Magnum small block in that car with a proper manual, and it'll be better. Or better yet, LS swap everything LOL

[@Cheeze0933]

Mark Meadows I don't think that engine was any better shitty horsepower and overweight

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

Well at least it shoulda have an MT option....what a shame that chrysler fitted the 3.5 SOHC V6 with 215hp and 4AT....consider that chrysler was almost broke....

[@patrickmichael3384]

The Prowler (though I like the idea) is the most ridiculous Chrysler product I’ve ever seen.

[@BIGGIEDEVIL]

Not enough power for the cost

[@derekintrovert5619]

It Amazing people hate this car Tom Gale & Bob Lutz without them & Mr SHELBY R.I.P.. They Made fun fast cars Shelby had 3 turbo 4 THE VIPER & PROWLER IT GREAT THEY WERE. BUILT

[@whitb003]

I don't remember those ugly front bumpers, people must have removed them once they got them home.

[@mavricxx]

Man, I had the biggest crush on this car back when I was a teenager! Looking back on the specs...what a disappointment. Chrysler, what were you thinking! A V6 and an automatic? Then there's the interior, that steering wheel looks like it belongs to an 18-wheeler man! It would have been awesome if Chrysler did what Dodge did with the Challenger and made it a V8, manual, with the innards of a modern car but the classic exterior. This one doesn't even have ABS for crying out loud. No wonder Plymouth went away.

[@93remix]

it shoulda at least had a turbocharged V6(325hp), if they didn't want to use a V8

[@davidenobile426]

If only they fit a damn V8 in it...

[@DriftTaxi]

Man, I remember being a kid when this car came out (I was 13 at the time) and I fell in love with it. Once I learned how cars worked and how they were SUPPOSED to work, the Prowler just made less and less sense. It's highly attractive but it failed hard and failed hard for a reason. Very poor execution on what could have been an amazing car. Awful engine, awful transmission and your statements on the suspension make me wonder if you guys have ever driven a Porsche, BMW or Mazda Miata. Oh well, I'm glad this car is gone and it seems that Chrysler still struggles to sell a car that sticks in any crowd other than psuedo-enthusiasts, gangsters, soccer moms, or people who want something that "isn't a [insert car here]"

[@VaunShiz]

Lol 295s with 200hp.... Lol....

[@LLYoutube565]

If only it would of had a v8

[@tommy35ss]

This thing has been begging for an LS1 since 1997

[@gzuzsavz]

a dude put an srt hemi in one, it's great. look it up.

[@panchosspeedshop8576]

Beautiful design, horrible engine & trans choice.

[@SpyderRios]

The Prowler always strike me as great looking and very unique. However the transmission and engine were a total piece of crap. Wish this had a V8 engine and a manual.

[@EdgeRatedR007]

That bumper looks horrid.

[@TheVintagetamiya]

Car lacked a good motor

[@turnerlarson12]

$58,000 in today's world. Ugly, underpowered and expensive.

[@redriver15262]

Put the 6.2 Mercedes V8 and throw it in the trash because nothing can make the prowler a decent car.....

[@TheZProtocol]

I knew they weren't good. But boy, now I see how crappy they were. Like, horribly bad!

[@Howard1939]

Haven't seen any in Houston, TX in past 15 or so years & with demise of the Plymouth brand, no wonder..

[@DrewLSsix]

Howard1939 what does that have to do with anything?

[@bigreed43]

This car should never have been built!!!

[@andrewschannel4259]

Beautiful design but HORRIBLE transmission.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Ah, the American ricer car. All show, no go. Even today I cannot hold a straight face when seeing these as they are so pathetic in performance.

[@WQQKIE]

This car was a failure.

[@dontelindsey5846]

WQQKIE no it wasn't