2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

Specifications

Hello Sunshine!

I know that Chrysler is known as the minivan company, a title the automaker showed it still deserves with the recent introduction of its now best-in-class “Stow n Go” folding seating system, but it has an enviable reputation building convertibles as well.

Model year 2002 saw Chrysler selling nearly 44,000 Chrysler Sebring Convertibles, a 14.5 percent share of the convertible market, which was the highest of any competitor, making the stylish midsize ragtop Americas best seller in the segment.

Of course Chrysler built convertibles before the Sebring. The Le Baron Convertible it replaced initiated a boom in the segment when launched in 1981 as a 1982 model, maintaining highest sales in the convertible category throughout its tenure. Much earlier in the brands existence, 1939 to be exact, Chryslers now defunct Plymouth division developed the worlds first automatic convertible top.

But segment firsts are nothing new for the blue ribbon badged brand. Still its been a long time coming since I first caught wind of the convertible version of Chryslers PT Cruiser. It first showed up on the auto show scene shortly after the retro sedan/wagon/minivan crossover turned the North American youth-oriented market upside down in a whirlwind buyers frenzy.

I recently saw this latest production version, that debuted to the world at the North American International Auto Show on Tuesday, January 6, in a special preview a month or so ago also held in Detroits Cobo Hall, and have to admit to being impressed.

It looks no different than the original concept, or at least not perceptibly so, with its protective roll-bar-style B-pillar hoop taking center stage. Chrysler calls it a “sport bar,” but dont get excited guys as it doesnt include a scantily clad waitress bringing you your favorite beverage or a big screen TV permanently set to ESPN.

There are two long doors, however, plus a stubby little trunklid and a folded roof bundled up top similar to VWs New Beetle Cabrio. While not as slick as automated hard tonneau covers, the PT system is less expensive and allows for much more room in the luggage department. The rest of the design is much like the popular GT Turbo, incorporating sporty color-keyed bumpers and side moldings.

Inside, a unique two-toned treatment sets the drop top PT apart from its fixed roof siblings, as does its distinctive “halo-design door panels with interlocking shapes,” or so the Chrysler press material states.

But probably what impressed me most when sitting inside is the cars space optimization, or in English how much room it has inside. The driver and front passenger enjoy the same level of interior accommodations as inside the hard top PT, but rear passengers arent exactly compromised either. With 40 cubic inches of legroom, it offers 10 cubes more than any competitor in its class. Theres plenty of room from side to side too. Whats more Chrysler managed to incorporate a theater-style raised seating position to the rear seats as well, especially improving visibility for children. Altogether the PT Convertible boasts 84.3 cubic feet of interior volume.

What blew me away was Chryslers inclusion of 50/50 split folding rear seatbacks. Really! Not only do the rear seats fold forward to increase the 13.3 cubic-foot trunks already sizable capacity, but theres a fairly large pass-through opening as well. Such functional flexibility is unusual for the convertible segment, but then again the PT has always been a wonderfully peculiar vehicle.

“Our engineers wanted to make the PT Cruiser Convertible a convertible that you can actually do things with,” stated Larry Lyons, Vice President-Small Vehicle Product Team Engineering. “Nine different seat configurations and a pass-through trunk opening with enough room to store two golf bags make the car more versatile than its competitors.”

Chryslers Lyons is also touting the cars refinement, stating it is one of the quietest convertibles on the market.

“The combination of the sport bar design and position, together with enhancements to the body structure results in an exceptionally quiet ride,” commented Lyons. “While on-the-road experience is what ultimately matters, we performed extensive wind tunnel testing to assure our customers a quiet ride, top up or top down.”

Chrysler will offer three trim levels, Standard, Touring and GT. The standard car gets the automakers tried and true 150-hp 2.4-L 4-cylinder driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. Other standard features are a power convertible soft top, overhead dome lamps (integrated into the sport bar), solar-tinted “Smart” glass, a glass rear window with electric defroster, cloth sport seats with driver manual lumbar adjuster, those rear split-folding seats and pass-through cargo area, power exterior mirrors, a touring-tuned suspension and the previously mentioned body-color fascias and body side moldings. And all this comes at a base price of $19,995, plus a $590 destination charge in the states.

For a tad more, $22,900, the PT Cruiser Convertible Touring model features a new 180-hp version of the 2.4-liter engine, boosted with a lower-pressure turbocharger than that in the GT model. This drivetrain comes in 4-speed automatic guise only, but features Chryslers AutoStick sequential manual mode for spicing up the driving experience. Adding to the list of standard features, are 16-inch painted cast aluminum wheels, speed control (previously known as cruise control before some Darwin Award winning pilot set it and settled back for a short nap ending in a violent nightmare), a security alarm, fog lamps, floor mats and an AM/FM/CD audio system.

The top-of-the-line PT Cruiser Convertible GT sports a high output 220-hp turbocharged 2.4-L with a 5-speed Getrag manual shifter. It adds more goodies to the Touring models long list of standard equipment, including a performance-tuned suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, low-speed traction control, a hotrod-style chrome-accented grille and fascia, 17-inch Empire painted cast aluminum rims, all-season performance tires, a larger 2.75-inch chrome-plated stainless steel exhaust tip, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, power height adjustment for the drivers seat, a distinctive silver painted gearshift knob, “GT” embroidered floor mats, driver and front passenger side airbags, an AM/FM/CD audio system that includes a cassette player too. The top-line Cruiser drop top starts at $27,565.

Chrysler will sell the new model in foreign markets (outside the U.S. and Canada) as the PT Cruiser Cabrio, offering only Limited and GT models.

Here at home the PT Cruiser Convertible should be a popular option for those who want wind in the hair freedom without sacrificing practicality. It shouldnt be parasitical to Sebring Convertible sales, as it targets a younger mindset, but it is possible some Sebring owners that want to add a little perkiness to their lifestyle will make the switch. Either way Chrysler keeps its customers happy with more choice.

Production starts soon, or early 2004 as defined by the press release, with availability starting in early spring. The new model will be built in DaimlerChryslers Toluca, Mexico assembly facility.