Flashback: Test-Driving The 2000 Plymouth Prowler

Forbes

10-04-2025

Today marks my 25th year of testing and reviewing new cars, trucks and motorycles - April 10, 2000. Many people have asked 'What's your favorite car that you've tested?' Figuring it will be an exotic. But my 'favorite' - or one of them - is the 2000 Plymouth Prowler, seen below. It was ridiculous, it was impractical, it was expensive for the time and, with the top up, visibility sucked.
It was also more fun that the proverbial barrel of monkeys.
Here's what I had to say about it.
2000 Plymouth Prowler
Courtesy of BringATrailer.com
Many people move to NYC to do one of two things - to become famous or to be left alone. I've done the being left alone part. Now that I've driven the Prowler I feel I know what it must be like to be famous.
During the test drive period of this fire-engine red (not shown) 2-seat exclamation point on wheels, I was barraged by camera-wielding tourists and locals alike, constantly beeped at, challenged to races, and surrounded every time I stopped somewhere. By the end of the test period I had learned to anticipate inquiries which I was obliged to answer again and again, and had a sound bite prepared for each one. I will now share them with you.
The Prowler has a V6, 3.5 litre, 253 horsepower engine. It's a 4-speed automatic with clutchless manual capability. Its acceleration is excellent and the car handles superbly. It gets ok mileage - 17 MPG in the city and about 23 on the highway.
2000 Plymouth Prowler
Courtesy of BringATrailer.com
Their is no trunk space to speak of - it's not a car for long trips. The brakes are somewhat mushy for a car capable of this speed. The ride is rough, too. Passengers absorb the full brunt of NYC industrial-sized potholes, each of which was felt like an explosion but we never got a flat or messed up the fragile front suspension.
I shared part of the test drive with pro racer Adrian Cenni, which was rather like driving inside a running blender.
Adrian Cenni
Courtesy of Instagram
'I liked the car," Cenni said at the end, as I staggered around thinking 'I need a cigarette, and I don't even smoke.' Cenni continued: 'It doesn't have an audible growl, but it had a pretty decent acceleration for a V6. Under hard braking, I felt the back wheels wanted to lock up, despite the presence of anti-lock brakes. However, the car didn't have a lot of body roll when I swerved from side to side and I liked that. A really nice feature is the driver's visibility of the front wheels and fenders as you drive.'
2000 Plymouth Prowler
Courtesy of BringATrailer.com
Though driving the Prowler is like negotiating a 4-wheeled, rocket-shaped disco ball, it's really a beautiful, well made machine and has drawn raves from consumers and trade magazines alike. 2000 is the last year they'll be made, so grab one now if you want to become an overnight star. (JM note: Chrysler would have something to say about that, in time.)
2000 Plymouth Prowler
Courtesy of BringATrailer.com
Put it this way - the Prowler was the only car I've ever tested where the guys driving Porsche Boxsters slowed down to check me out.
New standard features include an electrochromatic rearview mirror, a mini-trip computer situated on the rearview mirror, speed sensitive automatic volume control, a steering wheel mounted mute switch and leather shift boot. There are no options listed, but the destination charge is is $700.00, which brings the final price to $43,400.
They're still around, too! If you're interested in buying one, visit BringATrailer.com.
Ride safe! JM