it's like they went to consumer reports and picked the absolute worst cars in terms of reliability and satisfaction. prize or curse?

More likely that Chrysler offered the car to MCDonalds as a way to promote the car. I suspect Chrysler thought the car would be a hit for being unique and retro. But when it flopped they hat to scramble to make it into a hit or cancel it and take a big loss.

My family had a PT Cruiser and we loved it. Unusual looking car and was a comfortable ride.