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27/10/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Chrysler's PT Cruiser is a fascinating retro machine that makes a real statement on the road. Yet at the same time, it’s a very practical family car with plenty of interior space. There's seating for five, and if the three in the back are smaller than average adults they will be quite comfortable. Three kids back there is a breeze.
PT Cruiser has good luggage space and you can fold and/or remove various seats to get numerous useful arrangements. You can even carry an eight-foot stepladder or surfboard inside the cabin by folding down the front passenger seat.
 The rear shelf in the PT Cruiser can be set to five different positions. In one of these it acts as a handy picnic table that protrudes from the rear of the vehicle. It can be set at the same height as the folded down seats to make a large level platform. Or it can be located at different heights according to the amount of luggage being carried. Hop on down to a Chrysler dealer to see what we mean.
The Cruiser has been offered as a five-door hatchback since its year 2000 introduction and was joined in June 2006 by a two-door cabriolet. The latter loses much of the practicality of the five-door, principally due to difficult access to a back seat that’s significantly less spacious than the hatch’s. Boot volume has also suffered in the transition to an open top. Which is perhaps an unfair comment because this is no longer sensible family transport, it’s a fun in the sun toy. Then again, who ever bought a cabriolet for practical reasons?
Power output was marginal on the original PT Cruiser as its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was of a fairly old design and was moving quite a heavy vehicle. Much better was the 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit installed from December 2004. Though it must be said it still doesn’t really provide anything in the way of the excitement you might expect from the car’s stylish body.
Steering and handling are competent enough, though some may find the feel through the steering wheel to be on the dead side. A special model, the PT Cruiser Grand Tourer, has firmer sports suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels. It didn’t arrive until the December 2004 PT Cruiser upgrade but it’s worth hunting one down if you’re the sort of person who enjoys a good drive.
 Ride comfort on the standard car is good and the Cruiser seldom gets caught out by big bumps and lumps in B-grade Aussie roads. Noise levels are generally subdued, though there is some wind and tyre noise intrusion under certain circumstances. Naturally, the cabriolet doesn’t have as good a ride as the hatchback but it’s pretty well tied together and isn’t too bad on rough roads. There's more noise intrusion into the cabin, even with the soft-top closed, but it’s not too bad.
It comes as no surprise to learn there are quite a few special editions of this funky car. Try the Cruiser Street Cruiser of 2003, the Route 66 (great name!) from 2005 to 2008 as examples.
Note that in Chrysler terminology ‘Limited’ doesn’t mean a limited edition. Confusingly, it’s a routine model and has been sold at all times from the 2000 introduction of the model to Australia.
There's a good spread of Chrysler dealers these days, though they do tend to be concentrated in the metropolitan areas. We have heard of no real problems with getting service or spare parts. Prices are generally about average for a car of this size and type.
These Chryslers are relatively simple cars so the good home handyperson can do a fair bit of the routine servicing and some repairs. As always we caution that safety-related items should always be left to the professionals.
 Insurance rates are normally towards the mid-range in the scale, but there's a bigger spread of premium charges than for some other cars so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. Don’t just ask about price, be sure to ask what you get, and don’t get, in the way of insurance coverage, as well as how much you have to pay yourself in the unfortunate event of making a claim.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Look for crash damage or signs of it having been repaired. Paint colours that don’t quite match are a good clue, also look for slight ripples in the shape of the panel. If in doubt, call in an expert on smash repairs.
Look over the interior carefully as quite a few PT Cruisers are used commercially and may have had a rough life. Even those that have only been used as people movers may have taken a beating in the hands of bored kids.
Check the soft-top on the cabriolet for signs of damage, either accidental or deliberate.
Look at the seats and carpets, indeed all interior areas of the cabriolet in case it has been caught up in the rain. If you are in any way suspicious ask to have the carpets removed so you can check the metal under them.
The engine should start easily and pull smoothly. It doesn’t have a lot of grunt in the smaller versions but if it seems too bad there may be problems.
Gearchanges should be reasonably smooth and the gearbox and clutch action should be light. A system that hangs up on fast downchanges may have problems.
CAR BUYING TIP
Make notes on each car you are considering, don’t rely on memory. Doing this in Plus and Minus format really concentrates your mind.
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