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2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible vs. Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L Convertible Comparison Test

It's finally summer time. Now that the mercury has emerged from hibernatingin the depths of its bulb, it's time to celebrate, and there's no better way to welcome the warmer months and clear blue skies than with a convertible. While we've been out testing the latest drop tops, almost all of which feature a retractable hard top roof, there's nothing at all wrong with going back to the (more affordable) basics. It wasn't too long ago that the market was filled with compact drop-tops that made open-air motoring fun and attainable, with cars like the VW Cabrio, Pontiac Sunfire and Toyota Celica. The market instead has shrunken – there isn't much with four seats under twenty-three grand short of the Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 and the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and MINI didn't have a Cooper Convertible on hand to test, so it was reluctantly excluded from the comparison. Although Ford did have a V6-powered Mustang Convertible available to us, it didn't fit into our price category.

Put nose to nose, spreadsheet to spreadsheet, the Bug and the PTare remarkably similar. They're both retro-styled machines, based on compact-sized cars that have traditional cloth-and-bow roofs that neatly pile right atop their decklids. Both cars have engines with near

Let the battle of the retro, four-seat, budget convertibles begin! (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

identical horsepower and torque ratings, and both of the cars we've rounded up would have had easy, breezy automatic transmissions (more on that later). Both cars also come well equipped with toys and goodies such as power windows (including one-touch down for all windows), keyless entry, and a CD player with an auxiliary input. They're both pretty similar in terms of pricing too, with the PT starting at $20,605, with an as-tested price of $21,060 excluding four-speed automatic and chrome-plated wheels (again, more on that later). Our Beetle started at $22,240, and with a power-operated top, alloy wheels and automatic bumped the price up to a still affordable $25,838.

But despite these similarities, on the road these two vehicles have two distinct personalities and characteristics. Read on to find out which should earn a spot in your driveway as your new summertime belle.

The sun's out, so it's time to hit the road... and the beach. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

If retro is what you're looking for in a convertible, there's no better way of embracing thespirit of the past than with the PT Cruiser Convertible. It's a textbook case of borrowing from a bygone era when it comes to its appearance, from its pontoon fenders to the wrap around grille and the angled look of the rear decklid. The Convertible liberally heaps on nostalgia in the form of a “chop top” look when the roof is up, with gunslit windows and wide rear pillars just like a '40s style hot rod. Add that to the black paint and chromed alloy wheels, and when we drove around we felt as if we were piloting Al Capone's personal getaway car. Most of the gents preferred the PT on looks, citing that it was the less embarrassing vehicle to drive around than our bright red New Beetle Cabriolet. But what you see in the photos are 16-inch chrome-clad cast aluminum wheels, which are optional on the midrange Touring edition. The base model

PT Cruiser has classic car appeal. It's also not as cutesy as the New Beetle, which to some was a good thing. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

actually can't be had with any optional wheels; it only comes with six-spoke 15-inch wheel covers.

With flashes of chrome about the exterior and an American hotrod wannabe image, you'd almost expect to find a pushrod V8 under the hood, but the only thing that could fit beneath the triangular bonnet is a simple 2.4-liter inline-four (Touring and top-line GT models are fitted with a turbo and high output turbo, respectively). The engine is an older design that's clearly showing its age in a time of variable valve timing and direct injection. While it makes 150 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque, it works hard to move the PT's girth, whining when leaned upon. Thankfully, though, this base model we tested only comes with a five-speed manual. But for those wishing to opt for an automatic, you'd have to cough up a whopping $5,870 to upgrade to the Touring model. And while you're there, if you ever decide to want to get the manual instead, you'd have to either downgrade back to the base model or spend another $3,350 to upgrade to the GT, as a manual

2.4-liter engine was overwhelmed. Five-speed manual did help a little. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

isn't available in the Touring. We don't understand why Chrysler couldn't offer an automatic in their base trim level (let alone a manual in their Touring), as it's standard in the Touring and optional on the GT ($550). It's nothelped by opting for the lurchy four-speed automatic with its widely spaced ratios; it feels more like a three-speed automatic with an overdrive.

It's possible to get a glamorous PT Cruiser dressed up with body-colored inserts and suede-trimmed seats, but this wasn't the case for our rather basic model. Still, we were pleased with the fit and finish as it was above our expectations, and quite a few people found the silver bezel trim and analog clock to have a classy look. Compared to the tightly packed instrument bin of the Beetle, the PT's dials were large and easy to read, while the ergonomics are fairly sound with an upright center console packed with big knobs and buttons, including controls for the power roof and the windows, allowing everything to be operated with ease. Less pleasing was the driving position. It's the complete opposite of the Beetle, with a close-mounted windshield and seats that gave the impression that

Basic interior was pretty straightforward, but the seats were flat and uncomfortable. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

you were sitting on them, rather than in them.

The PT's ride was softer and more suited to cruising than the Beetle, which is no surprise given that "Cruise" is a part of its name and that its underpinnings were derived from the old Neon. Besides, the vague steering, schooner-sized steering wheel and uncomfortable, flat seats that lack both bolstering and under-thigh support didn't encourage us to drive it at anything over the speed limit. We were also disappointed with the lack of ABS brakes, which aren't even available as an option on this $20,000 car.

The PT Cruiser's strongest point is its day-to-day livability. This is one of the roomiest – if not the roomiest – convertibles on sale today, with plenty of room for four full-sized adults to ride in comfort, whether or not the roof is down. The rear bench seat doesn't have headrests, though, which means back-seat passengers must hold their heads upright, but the raised height of the seat itself yields a better view. The “Sport Bar” that spans the center of the cabin also directs wind over its occupants, giving the PT Cruiser a more draft-free ride. There's plenty of space to store your luggage too, plus a proper opening to get it in and out of the boot.

It's easy to have summer fun when you're behind the wheel of the New Beetle Convertible. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

The PT also has another unique feature in that its rear seats not only fold, but tumble forward, just like on the hardtop version, opening up a lot of very practical cargo space in your fun summer transport - after all, you have to have somewhere to stow your surf board, right?

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L Convertible

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a very cute car. Cute as a button, people saidwithout hesitation when we parked it next to the PT at gas stations and cafés. It's cute enough to make people smile as you lazily cruise, and most definitely cute enough to pinch its cheeks ... er, bubbly front fenders, I mean. But the New Beetle is more than just cute – it's also a great convertible. It might look like one of the most successful vehicles in all history, but it's been modernized and its engine and driving wheels are in the opposite place. In fact, other than looks, the New Beetle is the previous generation Golf underneath.

Everybody should drive a New Beetle at least once in their lives as it's both a curious and an enlightening experience. You sit low, surrounded by body color appliqué giving the impression that you are piloting a toddler's bathtub, but at the same time the dashboard seems to go on and on giving the sensation that you're sitting at

Beetle's cabin is curious; the windshield is short, but far away, and the dashboard is long. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

a desk. Even more whimsical is the dashboard-mounted vase (or for the guys - a pen holder) for flowers. Accessing the rear seats is as easy as pie; just tug on the hook and the seat not only tilts, but it hinges upwards. Whoever engineered that shouldbe nominated for a Nobel Prize, not to mention the clever fitment of the front seatbelts to the pillars rather than having them threaded through the seats. It's a bit of a shame that the rear seats are practically useless to adults, because of the vertical backrests and cramped dimensions, alterations that were necessary to fit the folding power top.

But the New Beetle isn't all sunshine and lollipops as it's got its fair share of flaws. In being so retro and giving the Beetle such a round roof, it suffers in terms of turbulence intrusion when the roof is down. Even with the side windows rolled up it gets mighty blustery inside, although the optional five-way heated seats more than compensate. But then there's the fact that the retro-style roof piles up and therefore cuts rearward visibility half when the roof is down - the opposite of what usually happens in a convertible. Oh, and you can forget about putting anything big in the Beetle's trunk. Although the roof doesn't impede on the space itself, there's not much there to begin with and the oddly shaped opening doesn't help much. The double-hinged actionof the trunk lid is a nice touch, though.

As

2.5-liter engine is just a touch bigger, and has one extra cylinder over the PT. Its powerplant is superior though, with a six-speed auto. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

far as the driving experience goes, the Bug shines in just about every area that the PT Cruiser falters. The engine is ever so slightly larger in displacement, and enjoys a bit of an edge on torque, but there's a huge difference in the way the two cars perform despite the fact that there's only 55 to 150 pounds separating them in terms of weight. Where the PT drags its heels, the Bug feels sprightly, allowing it to cruise with ease and even chirp the wheels on eager take-offs. You can thank the Beetle's optional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic for that, and you won't feel too guilty about the extra performance due to its superior fuel economy. The VW also features traction and ESP stability control, plus ABS brakes as standard – all things you'd have to pay extra for on the PT Cruiser.

The New Beetle could easily be dismissed as being a toy, but in truth, it's the better driving car. Its body is more rigid, helping the Beetle resist flex and scuttle shake, while its slightly firmer ride counteracts body roll, and gives the driver the sensation that they're more in control. Grip levels are also higher in the Beetle than they are in the PT Cruiser. It might not look it, but the Beetle is the more masculine of the two to drive, and while it's no sports car, next to the PT it certainly feels like one.

Conclusions

The PT Cruiser is one of the most affordable ways of comfortably moving four while subjectingthem to the wonders of open air, something

Offering better value and performance, the New Beetle takes home the win. The PT isn't a bad convertible if you're price sensitive and need something more practical. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

that truly surprised us. It's also a good solution for consumers who are interested in having a convertible as a primary vehicle and not just as an extra car since it's capable of fulfilling most duties of a normal vehicle without too much compromise. Lined up next to the Beetle, however, the PT lost points on value. True, it might be cheaper to purchase in its base form, but it does this by skimping out on safety equipment. ABS brakes weren't available, and neither were side airbags (although side curtain airbags were available). Heated seats weren't available in the base package either. The Beetle also featured a rollover protection system, whereas the PT Cruiser didn't have one, and on that thought it should be noted that the “Sport Bar” doesn't aid in rollover protection. To get the PT up to the VW's specs, you'd need to upgrade to the Touring or GT as previously mentioned, but even then you can't get stability control or the Beetle's six-speed gearbox.

By contrast, the New Beetle might not look it, but it's the one that focuses more on the driving aspect of the equation than the practicality. It's got the powertrain, the moves and the safety features that make it a better overall vehicle than the PT, not to mention the car in which we'd rather spend the afternoon behind the wheel. If you can live with its smaller rear quarters, tiny trunk and lack of a power roof as standard, and most importantly, if you can get around its looks (although this is only a guy thing), you'll find that the New Beetle is a fantastic car, perfect for soaking up those precious golden rays.

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