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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
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| PT Gears Up, Drops Top |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:52:35 |
| Rating |
 77 ( -10 -12.98% ) | | Author | Dan Lyons |
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Description:
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. Though designed as a utility vehicle with a retro shape, many reviewers felt that the hot rod bod was writing checks that the engine couldn't cash.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. This year, Chrysler is increasing its turbo offerings for all PT models.
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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. The PT is a sporty car, not a sports car and the handling follows suit.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. One of the PT sedan's claims to fame was a versatile interior, populated by acrobatic seats.
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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. In all, a usably sized trunk, with a somewhat small mouth.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. Pulling 245 lb. ft. of torque between 2,400-4,500 rpm, the motor's power curve puts out good, low speed pickup and the five speed's gearing is well matched to the power flow.
Ideally, the roll-out of a car line should be like a run through the gearbox. You rev up the engine, then shift gears fast - before you lose too much momentum. Take too long between shifts and those rpm's can take a long time to come back up. Or in the case of sales, those customers may be gone for good. Four years (and some 640,000 sales) after job one, Chrysler has just hit third gear with its PT Cruiser.
When the first Cruisers arrived, the only beef that most car magazines had with it was the go vs. show gap. Though designed as a utility vehicle with a retro shape, many reviewers felt that the hot rod bod was writing checks that the engine couldn't cash. Last year, Chrysler responded with second gear - the addition of a turbocharged, GT version. Turbocharging is a time honored way of getting more pop out of a small displacement engine, and the PT GT made 215 hp, 245 lb. ft. of torque. The power boost elevated the fun factor, and Chrysler has kept the performance pipeline flowing since with regular infusions of speed parts (turbo boost kits, Hurst shift linkage, etc.) available through their on-line speed shop, Mopar.com.
Third gear arrives in late February/early March, with the introduction of the PT Cruiser Convertible. Three versions will be offered, starting with the 150 hp, base model with a delivered, MSRP of $19,995. Next up is the $22,900 Touring. This year, Chrysler is increasing its turbo offerings for all PT models. In the case of the ragtops, a 180 hp turbo is available optionally on their mid-level series. The turbo Touring is offered only with automatic transmission and unfortunately, there's no stick option. GT models round out the menu, with a sticker price of $28,155. Included in the long list of standard gear is a 220 hp turbo four, linked to a Getrag five speed manual transmission (automatic optional). The three engine choices range from runabout class to respectably quick, with the GT obviously drawing top honors. Pulling 245 lb. ft. of torque between 2,400-4,500 rpm, the motor's power curve puts out good, low speed pickup and the five speed's gearing is well matched to the power flow.
The PT is a sporty car, not a sports car and the handling follows suit. A key challenge for any open car is to replace the stiffness that you lose when you remove the roof. Chrysler engineered in reinforcements along the sills, behind the seats and most noticeably, over the top, in the form of an amidships "sport bar". The suspension also gets with the program: spring, sway bar and damper rates are adjusted to compensate for the 150 lb. weight gain. The result is a solid feeling car, with a direct, linear cornering feel. Road ride is comfortable and cowl shake was not apparent, however, our drives took place over smooth, southwestern roadways. We'll reserve final judgment on the PT's cowl shake stability until its first foray back in my native New York (state motto: land of 1,000 potholes). The sport bar acts as a secondary wind deflector, boosting breezes over the rear part of the cabin. Wind flow ranges from modest to moderate inside, top down, and the only steady breeze felt by front passengers was between the seats. With windows up, it's easy to carry on conversations at normal speech levels, even at highway speeds.
The front row positions are much the same as the sedan Cruiser: a mixture of retro styling cues and straight forward switchgear. Aside from a sound system populated by many small buttons, it all works well. Back seats are impressively large for a small convertible. Chrysler claims that the 40.9" of available leg room is about 10" more space than you will find in competitive models like Ford's Mustang and the VW New Beetle. It's honest, room for four adults space, though those getting in and out have to remember to limbo under the front seat shoulder harness (or get clothes-lined) and duck beneath the sport bar (or be low-bridged). It's breezy in back, but that goes with the territory in four place drop tops.
Raising/lowering the top is easy and (+/-10 seconds) quick, requiring just the twisting of the center latch, and pushing one button. The vinyl boot looks smooth when fitted, but like all such covers, it takes time to fit and it takes up trunk space when not in use, so it will likely end up on a shelf in your garage. The top itself draws high marks: triple layered, with glass backlight and electric defroster, it makes for a surprisingly quiet interior. When lowered, it sits in a stack on back. So sited, it doesn't carve into trunk space, but it does cut slightly into rear visibility. One of the PT sedan's claims to fame was a versatile interior, populated by acrobatic seats. The PT Convertible continues the tradition by offering rear seat bottoms that split, fold and tumble, in so doing, adding a pass-through option to the trunk. This expands the cargo capacity from 7.4 cubic feet to 13.2 cu. ft., which is said to be big enough for a pair of golf bags. In all, a usably sized trunk, with a somewhat small mouth.
The PT Cruiser Convertible figures to fill its role well - expanding the brand and sustaining interest in the model. Chrysler had the largest selling nameplate in the top down segment before the PT arrived (Sebring), and the addition of another should only solidify their status as serious sellers of convertible cars. The PT's distinct style carries over well in drop top form. It offers traditional, top down virtues mixed with enough practicality to easily pull year 'round driver duty in parts of the country where most convertibles must hibernate. Practicality and fun are a combination that's hard to argue with!
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Reviewer's Notes
MSRP range:
$19,995-$28,155 (delivered)
Showroom appeal:
Retro styled, four seat, front drive convertible
Plus:
Fun, four place rag top that's four season drivable
Minus:
Little go without turbo, watch 'yer head rear access
The Competition:
Volkswagen New Beetle, Ford Mustang
---Story by Dan Lyons
---Photos by Dan Lyons
© 2004, Dan Lyons, All Rights Reserved. |
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