Buying a PT Cruiser

Second-hand Sense:  The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a car you either love or hate

Second-hand Sense: The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a car you either love or hate. It's bold retro exterior was deeply influenced by 1950s American design and suggested a hot rod wrapped in saloon clothes. It's the kind of car that will either engage you or leave you wondering why anyone would buy it when they could have a normal car instead?

But the success of the new Beetle and the Mini is a reminder that nostalgia can be a niche market. Ane one thing is certain about the PT (for personal transport) - you won't forget it easily.

The point has often been made, however, that the Cruiser can lead to MPV expectations, but it's actually a saloon that's big but not all that practical. It will suit the smaller family well but not in the way an MPV might accommodate all comers and their belongings. The rear seat does split to take loads but that reduces passenger capacity.

With a choice of 2-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines, the PT is more smooth performer than performance car. It will do everything expected of it without being racy and this is where its styling belies its abilities. It rides reasonable and handles well, but has a slightly loud engine and is not at its best at lower revs. When you get to the mid range, however, it lives up to its cruising name.

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Inside it's very spacious and very comfortable. Seats are big and generously supportive and rear space is excellent in its class, although one is slightly unsure of what class it fits into. It's probably best to describe it as an alternative to the conventional MPV or large family saloon. The retro theme continues inside - instrumentation is very 1950s but no less effective for that.

The low-slung bonnet is a strong feature, but it doesn't help when it comes to visibility and knowing exactly how far the nose is from the object in front.

The EuroNCAP crash test reports said the car would perform well in a severe crash because of its weight, height and high-set seating. However, the rating was three stars out of a possible five because the frontal impact test showed the driver risked "chest and upper and lower leg injuries".

But the car did well in the side impact test because of the side airbag mounted in the seat. The report says the imbalance between the front and side impact tests "is a concern to EuroNCAP". The report is also critical of the child restraints, saying they wouldn't protect an 18-month-old "exposing him to the risk of neck injuries in the frontal test" and the head was not protected in the side impact either. There was "little evidence of measures to protect pedestrians".

Only one re-call is listed because of concerns about a fuel pump module mounting - this affected about 10,000 cars worldwide. It's a good record.

Second-hand Cruisers are rare and don't come cheap. A 2001 car with a 2-litre petrol engine and 50,000 on the clock asks €13,950, while a 2003 car with the same engine is priced at another garage at €24,900.