The PT's computer will try to cut back on boost and keep the engine from damaging itself on regular. If you must use regular, just be gentle with it. Don't "drive it like you stole it". If you can actually detect pinging, the computer isn't able to completely compensate for the lower octane fuel and you should move up in octane.
As I have said before on this forum, I have put mid-grade in my GT (by accident) and I could certainly tell a difference in performance. It almost felt like I was dragging an anchor going up steep hills. I have seen others post that they couldn't tell a difference but I certainly did.
If you drive very gently and primarily drive in lower elevation areas (at higher elevations, more boost is required to develop the same power) and on reasonably flat ground, you should be OK with regular and certainly with mid-grade. If you don't fit those characteristics, I would go the gas station and "kick it up a notch" (as Emeril Lagasse says).
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2003 Almond GT AutoStick, body colored rear splash guards and hood struts, chrome gear shift, AC & vent knobs, billet steering wheel spokes and pedals, AMX1397 Turbo-Intake Pipe.
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