After a two-week rental period with this vehicle, I got to know the in and outs fairly well in many driving conditions, and overall it was disappointing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

- hard seats, but comfortable for long treks
- noisy, overworked motor
- worst shift gate/auto shift lever I've ever seen
- nice dash, cool blend of retro/modern
- great visibility in all directions
- transmission is outdated

INTERIOR

This was actually a pleasant surprise. Being as objective as possible, I was still not looking forward to driving a PT Cruiser for two weeks. My initial ideas were those of bits and pieces falling of over bumps, tall and cushy bucket seats with no support, and an instrument panel full of anonymous buttons thrown on in random order. To my surprise, this is a comfortable place to spend time. I enjoyed the firmer seats (my car in the shop is an older Jetta), they remain comfortable for longer periods of highway driving. Space is everywhere - I'm 6'2 and there is at least 4-5" above my head before the roof liner starts.

Another nice surprise was the well-organized instrument cluster, with centrally placed power window switches. Although this may catch some people off-guard, but in the long term it makes the electrical system more reliable. They don't have to run wires through your door seams that are constantly full of dirt, sand or whatever else. Driving it through colder temperatures, the HVAC system warmed up fast and delivered airflow efficiently. Gauges are great - white-faced instrumentation is easy to read during the day, and backlit with a warm white glow at night.

If you're used to driving a 'car', it will take time to get used to the tall and upright seating position, and the flat dashboard. It does feel like you're stepping into an older vehicle, but the fabrics and components are all modern...strange feeling, and I'm not sure if what feels 'trendy' now might get annoying over longer periods of time.

The stalks on either side of the steering wheel (which itself feels awkward) are unintuitive and unresponsive. When you hit the signal lights up or down, the stalk sort of slides and sticks up or down, it doesn't 'click'. This is hard to describe and may seem insignificant, but think about how much you use this feature! As a driving enthusiast, this really bothers me as a shortfall of an important function. Also, it is very easy to inadvertently flash the highbeams when trying to signal, which not only annoys other drivers but poses a possible blinding hazard for oncoming motorists.

People wanting a 'spacious compact' will find this vehicle very appealing. Because of its shape and height, the usable cargo space is excellent for its size. I also drive a Mazda Progege5 hatchback, and comparatively the PT is even shorter and holds much more cargo.

MECHANICAL/DRIVING

I am willing to overlook a poorly designed steering wheel and stalks, but I can't overlook poor mechanical performance. After all, this is the cornerstone of any vehicle, and if it doesn't have a satisfying drive, what's the point?

The engine is Chrysler's bread-and-butter 2.4L 4-cylinder DOHC. Sounds like a large, modern 4-cylinder on paper, but in reality it feels harsh and sluggish. When I first started the car I was impressed, at idle the engine was smooth and constant. But after shifting in to drive, everything changed. The transmission seems lost when dealing with this motor, revving too high in town and hunting for downshifts. So if you plan to use this vehicle in town, expect confused shifting from the ancient 4-speed and lower-than-average fuel economy. I averaged 11.5 L/100Km, which equates to about 25mpg. For a brand-new 4-cylinder, this is bad. That's what GM's manufacturer quote is for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala's 3.5L, 211-hp V6. Speaking of numbers, this large motor develops 150 horsepower. Mitsubishi's new 2.0L motor in the Lancer is developing 152, and Nissan's 2.5L is making 175 ponies! The most noticeable deficiency of this engine is at highway speeds, where this funny thing happens when you push the accelerator. The wagon-cart transmission is forced down to third gear, the revvs shoot up past 4500 RPM, a blast of noise pounds through the firewall...but you don't really speed up...you do see the trip computer's mileage number plummet though.

SUMMARY

It's evident from the powertrain package that Chrysler has forgotten the PT, and its swimming as hard as it can to stay above water. I can't see this vehicle staying on the market for more than another year, as other companies offer so much more for the dollar. It has some redeeming features: functional space, cool interior and comfy seats. But so do many others, in a more powerful, more attractive package. If I was shopping in this market, I'd look to the stylish new Kia Rondo or the sporty Mazda5.
Amount Paid (US$): 2000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2008
Model and Options: base automatic