Faults:

I was very disappointed to find out that the power steering rack needs to be replaced at 40,600 miles. I was given an estimate of about $1000.00 to replace it.

The lower control arm barrens are also gone at 40,000 miles. I was given another rough estimate of $250.00 - 300.00 to replace.

A lot of money for a car with only 40,000 miles.

General Comments:

I'm not sure how something so major can go on a car with only 40,000 miles. I've always loved everything about this car, but now I'm skeptical about it after getting an estimate of about $1300.00 to fix such major parts (power steering rack, line, lower control arms barrens) as previously mentioned.

Faults:

- Was somewhat surprised that the back brake pads and rotors had to be replaced by myself after 30,000 miles. Has been fine since.

- Hatch in back is sticking or coming in contact with something that prevents it from opening naturally.

General Comments:

Upsides:

- The interior is leather, comfortable, and spacious (fits 4 adults easily); Unlike most other compact cars, you sit rather high in the PT Cruiser, with a very easy view over the dash.

- Gauges behind the steering wheel have several nice display features, including: Outside/Interior Temperature, Compass, Radio Station, Average Gas consumption and a host of other goodies.

- 2.4L Turbo engine churns out 230hp, giving this car some real zip for it's price range.

- Traction control works well.

Downsides:

- The car (with a Turbo at least) is a gas guzzler; I get ~19/20MPG when averaged over highway and city street driving.

- With 4 people in the car, the storage space available for hauling is limited.

Faults:

Nothing wrong with this car, although the gas mileage is seriously lower than previously owned Toyota so I'm having a bit of gasoline pump sticker shock, especially with current and rising gas prices.

General Comments:

I'd been wanting a convertible for a long time, but I've always bought very sensible, very sensibly priced Toyota Corollas my whole life and I didn't want a pricey sales sticker or a honking big car payment.

It took a leap of faith to move to a Chrysler, and my long term decision is yet to prove itself, but the PT Cruiser Convertible is the most affordable way to get into a convertible. Since I bought 2006 model year new in early 2007, I got the car, fully tricked out, for under 19K.

This convertible is a cool, fun ride at a very reasonable price.

Other than the gas mileage differential, the trunk design requires deep bending to get anything in or out of it, although it does offer enough room for two moderately sized pieces of luggage without dropping the seats, and significantly more room when the rear seats are dropped.

However, the rest of the car is perfect as far as I am concerned. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, I can fit 4 adults in the car comfortably even when one of them is a fairly tall man in the back seat, and I have yet to go a single day without somebody offering positive comments in parking lots, at toll booths, and even at stop lights.

Road noise is minimal even at 70 mph with the top down.

Every errand turns into a mini-vacation. To steal from a Queen song.... "I'm in Love With My Car".