The Chrysler PT has an identity crisis — despite being as tall as a people carrier it has only five seats. Its drag-strip looks suggest blistering performance but it starts to run out of puff at 110mph. You can even buy one with a diesel engine, but you’d be lucky to better 40mpg with it.

So what is it? Well, to sum it up in two words: good fun. This car has personality. Its exterior is a visual feast of 1950s Americana, with huge front wheelarches that laugh at the conservatism of Ford Focuses and VW Golfs.

Launched in July 2000, the PT Cruiser is powered by a choice of 2 litre petrol producing 140bhp, or (since 2002) a 2.2 litre diesel that’s good for 119bhp. The diesel delivers about 60% more torque than the petrol, resulting in a similar top speed and a useful 9mpg improvement in fuel economy.

At first PT Cruisers changed hands at a premium as demand outstripped supply, but the past 12 months have seen the market settle down, and in May this year Chrysler made a substantial reduction to the car’s list price. The impact of these changes are beginning to filter through to the second-hand values, so negotiating a deal on a used car should be relatively easy.

If you like the outside of the PT Cruiser then the interior will not disappoint. It is well put together, if a little cluttered compared with some of its competitors. Nice touches include the use of body-coloured panels on the doors and dash, and retro-style dials.

By contrast, driving a Cruiser is disappointingly normal. Visibility is good, and driving position is excellent, thanks to the adjustable-height seat and steering.

Rear passengers are well catered for: a high seating position helpsto combat car sickness, and a usefully tall boot will comfortably accommodate the luggage of larger families.

The PT Cruiser is offered in three trim levels — Classic, Touring and Limited — which all offer good levels of equipment including air-conditioning system, CD player, front and side airbags and remote central locking with alarm. A used Touring will set you back about £500 more than an equivalent Classic, but adds alloy wheels, cruise control (on automatics) and ABS (not standard on the Classic until November 2002) to the list. Another £500 buys you a top-spec Limited model with a set of stunning chrome alloy wheels and leather/suede upholstery.

Buy a petrol and you can choose a five-speed manual or four-speed auto. Fans of automatics will be pleased that the £800 premium when new isn’t reflected in second-hand values, so don’t pay a premium for the auto. No such choice for diesel buyers, though, as there’s no auto.

The car’s looks divided opinion when launched and still do now. But with the first of the three-year-old used cars starting to change hands privately, those who do fancy a bit of Americana will put the PT Cruiser at the top of the shopping list. I have to agree: a Ford Focus may be dynamically superior but when you’re sitting in traffic the Chrysler wins hands down in the cool stakes.

CHECK IT OUT: USED CAR: CHRYSLER PT
Upholstery Leather and suede combination on Limited models looks and feels great
Air-conditioning Icy cold, if it doesn't make your jaw hurt then it isn't working properly
Insurance Despite hot rod looks it only clocks group 12 insurance
Transmission Four-speed auto available on petrol models only
CD player Standard on all models
Rear seats Plenty of legroom and three proper belts
Boot space Huge boot is deep and wide with split-fold rear seat
Antilock brakes Not standard on Classic until after Nov 2002
Chrome alloys Can be prone to pitting unless cleaned regularly
Bumpers Colour coded after 2002

VITAL STATISTICS
Model Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited
Engine Four cylinders, 1,995cc,
Power 140bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 33.6mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0 to 62mph: 10.3sec
Top speed 112mph

THE ONE TO BUY
Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited 2.0 manual, 2000 W-reg with 30,000 miles. Pay £9,725 at a dealer or £9,200 from a private seller<!-- Beginfunction Start(page) {OpenWin = this.open(page, "CtrlWindow", "toolbar=yes,menubar=yes,location=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes");}// End -->

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...
2001 51-reg Citroën Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi
2001 Y-reg Renault Mégane Scénic RX4
2001 X-reg Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4
2000 W-reg Vauxhall Zafira 2.0DTi
2002 52-reg Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia

VALUES Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited 2.0
Mileage 20,000
2000 W Trade £8,750. Retail £10,150
2001 Y Trade £9,675. Retail £11,095
2002 51 Trade £10,200. Retail £11,595

Mileage 30,000
2000 W Trade £8,350. Retail £9,725
2001 Y Trade £9,175. Retail £10,550
2002 51 Trade £9,700. Retail £11,095

Mileage 60,000
2000 W Trade £7,125. Retail £8,525
2001 Y Trade £8,075. Retail £9,450
2002 51 Trade £8,600. Retail £9,995

Touring worth £500 less, Classic worth £1,000 less. Cars with auto gearbox are worth the same as those with manual. Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; 'retail' is what you would pay a dealer