Chrysler PT Cruiser 2005 $8,995

The PT Cruiser Convertible is added for 2005, offering what Chrysler describes as a unique blend of customized styling and versatile packaging. The PT Cruiser Convertible offers four-seat capacity, a power top and an overhead sport bar with built-in lighting. The PT Cruiser is Chrysler’s unique retro-styled wagon, and for 2005 the PT Cruiser Convertible is added, with four-passenger seating, a fold-and-tumble 50/50 split rear seat, nine different seat configurations, and a trunk pass-through. Still, if you're a budget-conscious convertible buyer, don't let this stop you from taking the new-for-2005 PT Cruiser convertible out for a test drive., The new PT is the lowest-priced open-top auto on the market with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of just over $19,400 at its introduction. And the top is mostly power-operated. , Notable highlights of the PT convertible: It has four usable seats that sit up a bit from the floor, allowing passengers to enter and exit more easily than they can in many other convertibles where seats rest close to the floor. , And the PT convertible's "sport bar"—a metal structure behind the front seats that helps provide a solid, rigid ride—adds a stylish touch when the fabric top is down. , Looks belie engineering changes , During my test drive, most other drivers paid no mind to the PT convertible. The only ones who did were driving the PT hatchback. , So, it appears the extensive engineering that was needed to create a solid-riding, shake-resistant convertible off the PT platform isn't really easy to discern. , But, as Larry Lyons, vice president of small vehicle product team engineering at DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group said, the PT convertible "is not a coupe with a top chopped off." , To make the convertible, officials said they changed the PT hatchback from the windshield pillars on back. , They added new "smart glass" windows that automatically lower a bit when doors are opened, then rise back up when doors close in order to retain good sealing against the fabric top. These windows first debuted years ago on luxury convertibles., Engineers took away two of the PT hatchback's doors. The convertible has two long doors, instead., They strengthened the rear seat structure, re-tuned suspension components and designed the novel sport bar that extends, wing-like, above the rear seat area., Besides contributing to the car's rigidity, this bar also serves to direct air over and beyond the rear seat for less wind buffeting for passengers., Many similarities with hatchback hardtop, But the PT convertible does share the same engines and transmissions as well as basic suspension setup—MacPherson struts in front and twist axle beam with Watt's linkage in back—of the PT hatchback hardtop. It has the same platform and overall size, too., But as expected, because of reinforcing need to help make the car rigid without its top, the convertible is heavier than the hatchback hardtop by at least 150 pounds., The midrange Touring Edition convertible with optional 2.4-liter turbocharged double overhead cam four cylinder does just fine, producing 180 horses and 210 lb-ft between 2800 rpm and 4500 rpm. , There are two available manual transmissions, but even the four-speed automatic transmission does an acceptable job in managing the power delivery., The ride is zippy even if the power doesn't come on instantaneously. There was a bit of a lag in the test cars when I'd press the accelerator and seek to move aggressively. , Note there's a second, more powerful turbo—a 220-horse, high-output turbocharged, 2.4-liter four with 245 lb-ft of torque between 2400 rpm and 4500 rpm. It's available only in the convertible GT model. But it requires premium fuel, according to Chrysler., Fuel economy isn't great in the small PT convertible. With 180-horse turbo and automatic tranny, it's rated at a rather ho-hum 19 miles a gallon in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway, Chrysler says. At least this turbo needs only

• 2 Door
• Convertible
• Front Wheel Drive
• Turbo
• Air Conditioning
• Center Console
• Cruise Control
• Folding Rear Seat
• Power Door Locks
• Power Mirrors
• Power Steering
• Alarm
• AM/FM Radio
• Driver Air Bag
• Rear Air Bags