Value
Value is a subjective concept, but with 220 turbocharged horses and comfortable seating for four in the mid to high $20s, the PT Cruiser convertible is the definition of a bargain.
Bang for the buck. A killer deal. Feeling like you got more than you paid for.
Those are all ways to describe value. And of the four cars we tested, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible offers more of it than any of the others. The PT has the lowest base price, the best powertrain warranty, one of the most powerful engines, a spacious and comfortable interior, and currently comes with hefty discounts.
More money will buy a refined Toyota, a sportier Mini, or a powerful Mustang, but for buyers who like to drive their new convertibles and keep the monthly payments low, it’s gotta be the PT Cruiser.
4th Place: 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible
With a base sticker price of just $22,000 (including a $550 destination charge), the 2005 Mini Cooper convertible is bettered only by the Chrysler PT convertible for lowest price. And, like the PT, the Mini Cooper comes with a decent powertrain warranty (four years/50,000 miles) and an even better basic warranty (also four years/50,000 miles). The three-year/36,000-miles of free scheduled maintenance also serves as enticement for buyers. However, the Mini price is set – no rebates or special financing here. That base price also includes the base engine – a 115-horsepower four-cylinder. Also standard is a five-speed manual transmission, a single-disc CD player, 15-inch alloy wheels, front side airbags with head protection, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and a rear electronic parking aid. That’s fine for basic drop top transportation, but the value of the Mini Cooper convertible is in the S (supercharged) version, and for that the price jumps to $25,450. Now we’re talking about a 168-horsepower engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a hood scoop, side air intakes, sport seats, 16-inch alloys, sport suspension, and traction control. Drivers wanting to get 100-percent pleasure from the Mini will opt for the $1,350 Sport Package, with stability control and 17-inch alloys running on run-flat tires, among other features. That brings the final tally up to about $27,000. Unfortunately, that price doesn’t increase the size of the Mini Cooper’s rear seat or the overall materials and build quality. On price alone, $27,000 sounds reasonable for a new convertible, but in terms of comfort and four-passenger usability, the Mini ends up looking pretty small.
3rd Place: 2005 Toyota Solara Convertible
Starting at $27,020 (including a $540 destination charge), the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara SE convertible is the most expensive base model in this test, but offers an impressive list of standard features. Among those are 17-inch alloy wheels; a 225-horsepower V6 engine connected to a five-speed automatic transmission; side airbags; four-wheel-disc antilock brakes; a single-disc CD player; power heated rearview mirrors; a tire pressure monitor; a tilt and telescoping steering wheel; and aluminum pedals. Also standard is the Solara’s interior comfort, impressive materials and build quality, quiet ride, and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Options such as larger alloy wheels and a 315-watt JBL audio system can be added. Our tester was a loaded SLE model, complete with a $1,350 navigation system, an upgraded floor mat set that ran $184, and a stability control system that added $650 to the bill. Standard features on the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara SLE convertible include the 315-watt JBL system, leather seats, woodgrain interior trim, a six-disc CD changer, and more. In total, the sticker on our car read $32,349. With the possible exception of the stability control system, we believe that most shoppers will be content with the nicely equipped SE model, especially with a savings of roughly $5,000. Even with those savings, you’re still talking about shelling out more than $27,000 for a Camry Solara, a convertible that lacks the sporty character of a turbocharged PT Cruiser GT, and the fire-sale price of a Cruiser base model. The Ford Mustang, which sells for thousands less when equipped with a comparable V6, offers much more visual and driving appeal than the rather sedate Solara, and ponying up another few grand puts an extra 90 horses under the hood. Try finding that option on the Solara.
2nd Place: 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible
The value of a 2005 Ford Mustang convertible is about more than its styling and current hot-car status, but both factor into the equation. Our tester was the GT Premium model with a host of options, and the sticker tipped the scales at over $34,000. Yet take away some of the unnecessary add-ons by opting for the GT Deluxe model instead, and the price drops to just about $30,000. Most importantly, that still includes the 300-horsepower V8 and a tight five-speed manual transmission. Also included are four-wheel-disc antilock brakes; traction control; 17-inch alloy wheels; front dual airbags; a crash sensor; and a multitude of other standard features, such as a power driver’s seat. There are plenty of options that can be added, but since we spent most of our time with the radio off and the top down, chances are you’ll never notice the absence of all those extras. If $30,000 is too much, there are less expensive, well-equipped Mustangs that feature a 210-horsepower V6. Starting at $24,615 (including a $675 destination charge), the 2005 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe convertible comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a single-disc CD player, plenty of power features, and that same classic styling seen on the Mustang GT (though V6 models do lose the Bullitt-style wheels and grille-mounted foglights). Granted, for a few thousand dollars more, buyers can opt for the posh, larger, and more powerful Toyota Camry Solara convertible, but those benefits will come at the expense of the Mustang’s fun-to-drive nature and visual appeal, two extremely important factors in owning a convertible.
1st Place: 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
For those looking for a sporty, comfortable convertible, the best deal out there today is the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Available in three trims, Base, Touring, and GT, the front-wheel-drive 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible starts at just $19,505 (plus a $640 destination charge), and that’s before a $3,000 rebate is bumped off the dealer’s invoice. For about $16,000 buyers get a 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine joined to a five-speed manual transmission; front and side airbags with head protection; and the usual gamut of standard accessories, such as power windows. But the sweetheart deal is the PT Cruiser GT convertible, which stickers for just $28,000 and is offered with up to $3,500 in rebates. Plus, some dealers are advertising these gems in the low $20s. It’s obvious that Chrysler corporate and Chrysler dealers are willing to haggle on the PT Cruiser convertible. It’s worth taking time to negotiate. The GT trim comes with 220 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine; four-wheel-disc antilock brakes; traction control; sport suspension; an upgraded audio system; 17-inch alloy wheels; and leather seats. If that’s not enough, consider the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible’s seven-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty (lowered to 3/36 for the 2006 model year, so hurry and grab a 2005 model).
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