Consider the two sources you have posted here. The first is ONE disgruntled guy who bought a specific car with a known problem. Sorry for him, but kinda got his own self into that one....he woulda been a whole lot happier with the PT parked right next to it that day at the lot instead of taking the deep discount on the problem one.
Second source is Consumer Reports who accepts no advertising and buys with their own money the cars they test and ranks cars based on thousands of replys to surveys they send out. They say its a great car and ranks above average in reliability. They are a much more reliable source than one guy struggling to gather reinforcements. Reminds me of the guy who drove through town here a while back in a white pickup with hand-scrawled black lettering ALL over it about what a lemon it was and a poorly made corrugated metal "camper" top with the same lettering....kinda had to wonder about the source there.
Anyhoo...I love my PT..a 2004 GT. First new car I have ever bought at age 38. Fastest car I own, and that is a stable that includes a 302 69 Mustang and a fuel injected big block 68 Dodge wagon. Best handling hands down and allows me to hook up the car seat for the new baby to boot. As others have said, you can get a real good deal on a 2003 or 2004 GT, that would be my recommendation. You won't regret it!
