2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

You can draw lots of attention by driving the new Lamborghini Gallardo sports car, but the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible might turn as many heads.

The PT Cruiser four-door hardtop arrived for 2001 and thus is a familiar sight that doesn't draw second glances. But my bright purple ("Dark Plum") test PT Cruiser two-door convertible with chromed wheels drew lots of stares -- many from drivers of PT Cruiser hardtops and young folks, who increasingly like the looks of a custom-style vehicle. The convertible's nifty styling makes the PT Cruiser hardtop look awkward.

I drove an early prototype version of the PT Cruiser convertible several years ago at Chrysler's proving ground in Michigan, when personnel from the automaker said they wouldn't offer a production model until it was "completely ready to go.'' The convertible is just now arriving at dealerships.

Chrysler maintained interest in the four-door PT Cruiser hardtop version after its 2001 arrival by adding turbocharged engines and such special features as flame accent decals. But the hardtop has retained the same body style, which has become rather old despite its utilitarian design. PT Cruiser sales fell to 107,759 units last year from 138,260 in 2002.

Chrysler won't say how many convertibles it will build to increase PT Cruiser sales, but noted that it will "make a PT Cruiser convertible available for every customer who wants one.'' Chrysler annually sells about 20,000 of its more conventional Sebring convertibles.

The Sebring soft top starts at $24,945. It's thus more costly than most versions of the PT Cruiser convertible, which starts at $19,405 for the standard model with a five-speed manual gearbox.

That model has a 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which provides so-so acceleration. No automatic transmission is offered, but this model comes with a three-layer, snug-fitting, cloth power top with a glass window and defroster. It also has power windows that lower with the top, tilt wheel, a color-keyed "sport bar'' that looks like a roll bar, two-tone interior, air conditioning, power outside mirrors and split fold-tumble rear seat for more cargo room.

The mid-level Touring version costs $22,900 with the 150-horsepower engine and manual gearbox. But you can get it with a four-speed automatic transmission for $825 -- and also with a turbocharged 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine and (mandatory) four-speed automatic transmission for an extra $2,105. Performance is more lively with the turbo engine, and there are larger 16-inch (vs. 15-inch) wheels for better handling.

The Touring adds features such as speed control, cast aluminum 16-inch wheels, fog lights, AM-FM stereo with a CD player and a snap-on boot to cover the lowered convertible top for a smoother look. You can get anti-lock brakes on the Touring for $525, or those brakes and traction control for $825 -- a setup that is standard for the top-line GT.

The $27,565 GT has a high-output turbocharged 220-horsepower version with more torque that gives it smooth power delivery with no turbo lag and fast acceleration. That engine comes with a standard heavy-duty five-speed manual Getrag gearbox, but you can order it with a $290 four-speed responsive automatic transmission that has Chrysler's Autostick manual shift feature.

The GT is the most fun, with a sport suspension with 17-inch wheels. It also has a chrome-accented grille and fascia, leather seats and a driver-seat power height adjuster, along with GT emblems and a sound system with CD and cassette players.

My test car's $700 chrome-plated wheels looked great, but I'd hate to keep them clean on area salty roads.

All convertible versions have a tachometer, but the GT has silver-face gauges and a speedometer that reads up to 140 mph. That speed is academic unless you live in the middle of nowhere, but the GT engine easily handles 70 mph cruising at only 2,600 rpm.

My test car's power steering was rather heavy, but precise. It had athletic handling and good braking, with progressive pedal feel. A supple suspension provided a comfortable ride despite the convertible's rather short 103-inch wheelbase.

The convertible was designed to be a convertible -- not just a PT Cruiser hardtop model with its top chopped off and two doors removed. The convertible thus has a generally solid feel, although rough pavement caused minor steering column shakes.

The new convertible has the same 1940s front-end styling of the hardtop, but styling is different behind the windshield. More than half its parts are different than the hardtop model's parts. It looks more like a retro convertible than a new model, partly because of the front end and its tall 61-inch height.

Low floors make it easy to get in and out of the front of the quiet interior, but the long, heavy doors aren't suited for tight parking spots. The front bucket seats are very supportive, and there are decent-sized audio controls and large climate controls. Front doors have storage pockets, and an under-seat storage drawer has slots for cassette tapes and CDs.

The deeply recessed gauges can make them hard to read quickly under certain light conditions. The dashboard-mounted window controls are offbeat, but so is the four-spoke, classic-looking steering wheel. Cupholders are set too low, but all seats are high enough to allow good outward visibility -- although the raised top creates bad rear blind spots for a driver. Stylish inside door handles are easy to grasp -- as are the oversized, chromed outside handles.

Getting in and out of the back seat calls for extra effort, despite a front passenger seat that tilts and slides forward to allow easier entry. There's decent room back there for two 6-footers, although knee room becomes tight for a person behind a tall driver who moves his seat back enough to get comfortable. The center of the rear seat is too high and hard to be comfortable in even on short trips.

Safety features include front side air bags that are optional for the Touring model and standard in the GT.

The entire rear seat folds forward rather awkwardly to significantly enlarge the cargo area via a pass-through area between the small trunk and rear seat compartment. One must hook part of the folded rear seats via adjustable nylon web straps to keep them out of the way of cargo -- something you might expect in a classic car.

The PT Cruiser convertible is an "original,'' as was the hardtop version. With spring just around the corner, it promises to be a hot seller.

2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE

Prices
$19,995-$27,565

Likes
Lively turbo engine. Nice handling. Fairly roomy back seat. Mostly solid feel. Good power top.

Dislikes
Long, heavy doors. Low cupholders. Awkward folding rear seat. Small hood prop.