Consumer Reports convertible comparisons

[ifcar]

CR rated six convertibles in two groups of three (3 manual, 3 automatic). They tested the Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, Mini CooperS, and VW New Beetle 1.8T manuals, and the Chrysler Sebring V6, Ford Mustang V6, and Toyota Solara V6 with automatics.

Manual ratings:

1. Mini
2. VW
3. Chrysler

Automatic Ratings:

1. Toyota
2. Ford
3. Chrysler

Of the six, only the PT Cruiser and the Solara had above-average reliability, and thus are the only recommended vehicles in this test.


Full Ratings:

Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Turbo ($29,305):
Acceleration: 5/5 (7.0 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 4/5
Braking: 4/5
Headlights: 2/5
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 4/5
Access: 4/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Trunk: 1/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (22 mpg)

Chrysler Sebring V6 Limited ($32,715):
Acceleration: 3/5 (9.4 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Routine Handling: 3/5
Emergency Handling: 3/5
Braking: 4/5
Headlights: 1/5
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 3/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Trunk: 1/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (21 mpg)

Ford Mustang V6 Premium ($28,070):
Acceleration: 4/5 (7.5 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 3/5
Braking: 4/5
Headlights: 3/5
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 2/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Trunk: 1/5
Fuel Economy: 2/5 (20 mpg)

Mini CooperS ($29,820):
Acceleration: 5/5 (7.1 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Routine Handling: 5/5
Emergency Handling: 5/5
Braking: 5/5
Headlights: 3/5
Ride: 2/5
Noise: 2/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 1/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 2/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 1/5
Fuel Economy: 4/5 (25 mpg)

Toyota Solara SLE V6 ($31,147):
Acceleration: 4/5 (7.5 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 5/5
Routine Handling: 3/5
Emergency Handling: 3/5
Braking: 4/5
Headlights: 2/5
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 4/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 5/5
Rear Seat: 3/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 5/5
Trunk: 2/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (21 mpg)

VW New Beetle GLS 1.8T ($27,950):
Acceleration: 4/5 (8.2 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 4/5
Braking: 4/5
Headlights: 3/5
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 1/5
Access: 4/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 1/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (24 mpg)

For additional info, just ask.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Is it me, or are the prices of those cars more than it seems they should be? $32,000 for a Sebring?

[TBR]

Is it me, or are the prices of those cars more than it seems they should be? $32,000 for a Sebring?

Convertible are expensive compared to family sedans, that is the way it has always been.

[ifcar]

Is it me, or are the prices of those cars more than it seems they should be? $32,000 for a Sebring?

Those are sticker prices. Real-world pricing would be much less.

But as TBR said, convertibles are always far more expensive than their sedan or coupe equivalent, largely because of the additional engineering required to stiffen the platform.

[mazda6er]

I got CR in the mail a few days ago, and I always go straight for the car section.  First, it must be noted that CR takes a very different approach to review cars than a mag such as C/D. CR is much more "practical", as it should be, since it is a more mainstream publication.  ifcar, I assume you've seen the issue, and you've probably noticed that the PT Cruiser actually scored higher than the Mustang V6, if you line up the bars. How is that possible? But then again, it is CR.  They don't do a bad job of reviewing, they just do it in a different way than many of us would.

[Catman]

I just got it so I'll check it out later today.

[ifcar]

I got CR in the mail a few days ago, and I always go straight for the car section.  First, it must be noted that CR takes a very different approach to review cars than a mag such as C/D. CR is much more "practical", as it should be, since it is a more mainstream publication.  ifcar, I assume you've seen the issue, and you've probably noticed that the PT Cruiser actually scored higher than the Mustang V6, if you line up the bars. How is that possible? But then again, it is CR.  They don't do a bad job of reviewing, they just do it in a different way than many of us would.

The PT was a GT manual, and the Mustang was a V6 automatic. That alone makes quite a difference, and I assume that's the reason CR put autos and manuals in two separate charts.