A lot of convertible for the money!

In looking for a relatively inexpensive but fun second car for my wife we considered basic models of the HHR and Pt Cruiser. Then we spotted a Pt Cruiser Touring Convertible with the turbo engine and it was all over.
We spent about $5K more than we had set out to, but it sure was worth it. This car is a blast to drive, even with the top up!
Performance with the turbo, while not quite into sports-car territory is nothing short of spritely and impressive, as is the handling. We live in the NC mountains and are blessed with being close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a wonderfully curvacious and gorgeous road. In taking the Cruiser up there the first thing we noted was that the turbo (understandably) didn't loose power at altitude like normally aspirated cars. The second thing we noticed is that I was driving at sports-car speeds with no effort/concentration required. This car is immensely tossable on the curvy parkway and just loves to go fast. The willing turbo, well programmed automatic tranny, and handling package all combine into what is probably the most fun car I've driven. More fun, in fact, than my Corvette was. The vette required your attention and was sort of "uptite" for lack of a better word, while the Cruiser is just easy, friendly, fun!
The convertible however, might not be so hot as your only car. While the trunk is nicely designed with it's flip up lid and flip down seats for passtrough, there just isn't much room for more than a few bags of groceries back there. Though you can fit two bags of golf clubs back there with the back seats down. It doesn't matter at all to us, as we use our Suburban when we need to haul anything more than groceries, but I mention it for those of you who might be considering the Pt Convertible as your only car. If so, you might prefer the sedan, it's pretty spacious and very versatile, while still available with the turbo and handling package.
Interior fit and finish are quite good, as are ergonomics. My only complaints are a good deal of orange peel in the paint (it's plenty shiny, but sitting next to my Suburban it looks like a cheap repaint in comparison) and the driver's seat. The seat seems to be designed for small people. I'm not overly tall, but have a large, muscular frame and as such most of my weight is supported way out on the side bolsters on my thigh bones rather than on my rear as it should be, since my rear doesn't make contact much because of the too-narrowly spaced side bolsters. I think more than a few hours in the driver's seat would leave me plenty sore, but then I didn't intend this for long trips anyway. My wife is not small, but is totally comfortable, maybe it's just me. To be fair, I have the same complaint about my Suburban, though on a much lesser level, I can sit it that all day.
Overall, I'd buy this car again in a heartbeat and it's probably the biggest bang-for-the-buck deal in the automotive world. Aside from the small caveats mentioned, I recommend it 100%!