I'd rather have the manual. There. That's another report completed, and now . . . but whoa! There's a lot more to be said about our latest and so far longest PT Cruiser drive.Even Chrysler itself admits that the PT Cruiser is a car people either love or loathe, although there's no embarrassment to the company in saying so, because it's being almost overwhelmed with orders from the non-loathe fraternity. That apparently sexist word is OK in this context, because even within the world of CARkeys most of the guys love it, while most of the dolls in the sorority don't.That's almost certainly because the guys have fond memories of old American gangster films, into which a Cruiser would fit perfectly, either as the bank-robbers' getaway transport, leaving in a hail of machine-gun bullets, or as the cops' pursuit car, opposite-locking and tyre-squealing on every corner. Well, it would, but for the modern front-wheel drive.If you're happy in that imaginary milieu, the PT Cruiser is just about perfect. In shape and in innumerable details, inside and out, it's a splendidly retro effort. But there's a lot more to it than that, not least the amount of passenger room it provides. That rear roofline isn't just something from old black-and-white movies.It's the detailing that does it, though. Chromed push-button doorhandles, the glove locker lid which looks as if it's made of tinny 50s material, the Limited model's chrome-finish 16" alloy wheels, and - on the manual transmission cars - an apparently old-style white bakelite gear lever knob. There are retro elements like this all around.The Cruiser has a great driving position with a man-sized four-spoke steering wheel. Instrumentation is clear and simple, and there are 12-volt power sockets for the usual nefarious purposes not entirely unconnected - in US cars - with speed-trap radar detection.Let's be frank, though, The two-litre four-cylinder engine doesn't have anything like the get-up-and-go of a film-car's almost inevitable V8, although the Cruiser does get along smartly enough, and it certainly lives up to its name as it eases along the motorway miles.It runs quietly and smoothly, its handling is up with its performance, the stability is good on sweeping bends, and there are no complaints about the controlled yet compliant ride quality. ABS is standard on the Limited, which also has traction control.An automatic, though? Not for me, and not just because it comes with a leather selector grip instead of that bakelite-look manual gear lever knob. I didn't much like the kick-down effect, which is too abrupt at some times, and occasionally indecisive even on motorway climbs. When you floor the throttle for overtaking, the box often seems to go down more ratios than you were expecting.This particular automatic transmission drains far too much engine power, and it's interesting to see that Chrysler's own performance figures admit that. They didn't in the case of the original Neon. In the automatic Cruiser, a 0-60mph time nearly three seconds slower than the manual version, and a top speed 15mph slower, are simply ludicrous.In the top Limited specification, the Cruiser is well kitted-out. There are very comfortable front seats upholstered in leather and suede, and fitted with two-level heating elements.At the back, this is a car which doesn't seem to have a boot - not one which sticks out, anyway. Luggage accommodation is somewhat restricted because of that, but you can pack a fair amount of stuff in, and it's quite handy that there's a five-position parcel shelf.Cruisers are now built in Austria as well as in the original Mexican factory. They're being produced to pretty high quality standards, and the test car felt robustly built.I'd certainly have a manual version, and not just because, when a young Mickey Rooney acted as a getaway driver, as well as sawing away at the wheel to give an impression of movement in an obviously static studio shot, he would whang up and down the box.Oh, and I'd also like a black violin case laid on the back seat. If you've seen the films, you'll appreciate why.Second opinion: I didn't get into gangster films very much, but I spent my early youth glued to the TV whenever the Wacky Races were on, and it's certainly been fun driving the PT Cruiser and pretending to be a one-man Anthill Mob. An automatic Cruiser might make sense if the box were any good, but this one is hopeless - not as bad as the lousy three-speed effort in the original Neon, admittedly, but that's not saying a lot. Otherwise the Cruiser is astonishingly roomy for passengers and baggage, a happy example of substance in a car which is otherwise all about style. David Finlay. Engine 1995cc, 4cylinders Power 140bhp @5700rpm Torque 139ib/ft @4150rpm Transmission 4 speed auto Fuel/CO2 28.8mpg / 232g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 12.4sec Top speed 103mph Price From £16623.00 approx Release date 01/07/2000
Our Rating
