By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
For those who want to cruise with more than one friend at a time, or more than just a couple of duffle bags, the PT Cruiser Convertible is a fine choice. A host of aftermarket parts and upgrades make this the perfect vehicle for the do-it-yourself stylist.
With the top down the PT’s tall sides and wide overhead center brace make it look somewhat like a giant picnic basket on wheels. Visibility with the top up is less than optimal.
YES Essential stain and odor resistant seat fabric becomes an option on the Touring trim level.
People who drive convertibles often like their cars to stand out, a fact most manufacturers and designers take into account. If unmistakable styling is the hallmark of a great convertible, then the PT Cruiser Convertible should win top honors. Based on the popular PT Cruiser Wagon, the convertible sheds its top (as well as its two rear doors and flip-up hatch) to create an open-air cockpit large enough to accommodate four adults. When outfitted with the optional turbocharged engine the PT Cruiser Convertible can be quite the barnburner and, with its top in place, the PT takes on the look of a nifty chop-top ’40s cruiser.
Used 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser pricing starts at $3,172 for the PT Cruiser Sport Wagon 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $15,950 when new. The range-topping 2007 PT Cruiser GT Convertible 2D starts at $4,840 today, originally priced from $30,250.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$15,950 | $3,172 | |||
$18,295 | $3,387 | |||
$21,740 | $3,876 | |||
$22,045 | $3,970 | |||
$24,835 | $4,257 | |||
$26,350 | $4,281 | |||
$30,250 | $4,840 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
We drove the middle-level Touring model featuring the 180-horsepower four-cylinder turbo mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The seamless turbo works in concert with a balanced suspension to deliver a driving experience fitting the car’s Cruiser designation. Not too hard and not too soft, the PT Cruiser Convertible is an ideal Sunday driver. For those looking for more performance, the 220-horsepower GT version also features a harder-riding sport-tuned suspension.
The PT Cruiser’s retro theme doesn’t stop at the sheet metal. Interior touches such as the stylish, retro-look cue-ball shift knob conspire to keep occupants in a good-ol’-days state of mind. Driver and passenger sit high for a commanding view of the road, while theater-style seating lifts rear passengers even higher. We’ve always considered the PT Cruiser a good value, and the convertible is no exception, though some of the cost saving is evident in cheap-looking interior plastic. With the top dropped, however, the PT’s minor interior shortcomings become irrelevant.
The versatility of the PT’s original design shows itself with the creation of the two-door convertible. Not only does the PT Cruiser make a surprisingly attractive convertible with the top down, we also like the more rakish and slightly more sinister roofline created with the top up. Dare we say the look evokes a hint of Chrysler’s super-popular 300 sedan?
Revised Roofline
With the top up, the PT ragtop looks a little more mischievous than its fixed-roof older brother.
Theater-Style Seating
Rear-seat passengers get a better view of the action from seating that’s mounted higher than in front.
The base PT Cruiser Convertible features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 150 horsepower through a five-speed manual transmission. Other standard features include the power folding top with glass rear window, driver and passenger airbags, AM/FM stereo with single CD and MP3 input jack, tilt wheel, air conditioning, cargo pass-through and power windows and locks.
Features available only on select trim levels or as options include a GPS navigation system, single CD player, in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 player, Boston Acoustic speakers, side airbags, air conditioning and heated leather seats. Two engine upgrades include a 180-horsepower four-cylinder turbo and a 230-horsepower high-output turbo.
The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is okay for around-town driving, but lacks the punch to move the PT with gusto. The optional low-pressure turbo is a better choice, but saddles you with an automatic transmission. The GT’s high-output turbo is the engine we love, and it’s available with a manual transmission! Unfortunately, the GT also brings a high pricetag.
2.4-liter in-line 4
150 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
165 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 (manual), 21/26 (automatic)
2.4-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged
180 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
210 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800-4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26
2.4-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged High-Output
230 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
245 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800-4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 (manual), 19/26 (automatic)
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 3072 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 98.8 cu.ft. | ||
EPA Total Interior | 120.5 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 15.0 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 39.2 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 40.6 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Overall Length | 168.9 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 53.8 inches | ||
Towing Capacity, Maximum | 1000 lbs. | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 62.7 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 36.7 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 103.0 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 67.1 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Moon Roof/Sun Roof | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
Roof Rails | Available | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
City | 19 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 24 mpg | ||
Combined | 21 mpg |
Drivetrain | FWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
Recommended Fuel | Regular |
Horsepower | 150 @ 5100 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 165 @ 4000 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter |
Basic | 3 years / 36000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 3 years / 36000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 5 years / 100000 miles |
Used 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser | Used 2010 Dodge Caliber | Used 2007 Suzuki Forenza | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $3,425 | $3,578 | $3,670 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.3 | |
Fuel Economy | City 19/Hwy 24/Comb 21 MPG | City 24/Hwy 32/Comb 27 MPG | City 19/Hwy 27/Comb 22 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | |
Horsepower | 150 @ 5100 RPM | 158 @ 6400 RPM | 127 @ 5600 RPM | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |