USED Chrysler PT Cruiser MPV (00 - 08)

My car

Took one of these out for a test drive today, and I think I will almost certainly end up buying one. The driving position (high) is unusual, and it'll take me a while to get used to the position of the handbrake and gearstick (quite low), but the unusual styling combined with the remarkable practicality (especially in relation to load space) has convinced me.

The other thing that swung it for me is that the Chrysler dealer is the *only* one in the local area (Stoke) that showed any real interest in selling me a vehicle - all the others were more or less 'take it or leave it' and I had to visit one dealership *four times* (and at least as many phone calls) before they would even give me a (very uncompetitive) new vehicle quote. The Chrysler dealer was friendly, listened, arranged a test drive at short notice, and I expect he'll get back to me with an offer as promised.

Assuming I go for this vehicle I'll post a further review with longer term verdict.

My car

This is a car of substance and character, it rides smoothly and drives beautifully. The turning circle, however, is not the best and because mine is a 2.4 litre automatic, it is rather thirsty. Fortunately, I don't have a high annual mileage since moving house to a new town.

The interior is classy in a retro style, the seats are very comfortable and the cabin is inviting. Cruise control is super. I have eighteen cars since 1980, and this is by far the most relaxing drive of them all. It's well-equipped and it looks great. I keep finding excuses to go out in it. The 2.2 litre diesel, which I have also driven is more economical, but as a disabled person I felt that I needed an automatic this time.

It has an "autostick" option, which gives the driver the option of sequential manual operation if more control is needed in extreme conditions. In all, I rate this as one of the best cars I have had.

My car

Overall I rate the PT Cruiser highly: it drives very well with excellent damping over bumps. Sound supression is excellent with only some wind noise intruding into the cabin at very high speeds.

It has a great looking exterior (let's face it, there are only three cars available today that look different to everything else you can purchase: the Mini, the Beetle and the PT Cruiser).

Interior space is good as is the quality of the switchgear, although they were not postioned by anyone with a logical mind. Supportive and comfortable seats front and rear complete the picture.

I have had my 2004 plate car for six months with no faults to report.

As for negatives, yes, there are a few. It has a chronic turning circle bettered by a super tanker! Chronic fuel economy (2.0 auto) needs a fuel tanker!

Poor rear visibility and a baffling parcel shelf don't help, either.

But if you are not trying to save the planet and want something a little different to all the other Euro boxes, I would give it a big thumbs up.

My car

I have owned my Y-reg PT Cruiser from June 2007. I purchased it from a main dealer for Chrysler.

I love the shape, appeal and style of the car. It has amazing head and legroom. The Touring model has a nice range of stuff. I was on a strict budget of about £5000 and I was pleasantly surprised to be able to afford a PT from a main dealer as I thought I would have back-up if things went wrong.

They have, and the dealer service has been absolutely awful. The warranty I have been issued with is not a Chrysler warranty, even though this was agreed as part of the sale. The car had a faulty tyre when I picked it up and as the journey back from Derby is 80 miles, the tyre could well have blown and caused an accident.

When I indicated right, the fog lights came on, which is quite dangerous. Furthermore, I have difficulty putting fuel in, as it cuts off so many times, then the pump stops working and I have to drive to two or three garages to fill up each week - and a full tank is over £45, so not as economical as my Smart ForTwo.

I wanted a bigger car due to two car crashes last year, both of which were not my fault. I do love the big car feel this car has, and even though it 'only' scored 3 stars in the NCAP tests it feels very solid.

The switches feel good quality and are durable, and the air-con is absolutely ice cold. The seats are very comfy and supportive. The CD player however does not play MP3 tracks.