Such attention to detail is probably why driving with the top up, the way most Canadians will experience the PT convertible for the majority of the year, is also a more serene experience than I initially expected. It's a triple-layer high-quality fabric hood, nicely finished inside and out and extremely quiet at speed.

Driving with the top up is a more serene experience than I initially expected. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

I like the way it looks when up too. The designers raked the back window (glass by the way) aggressively, which gives the car an entirely different appearance than the 5-door PT it's based on. It's lower in height too, looking longer and leaner, and resultantly sportier.

My PT convertible preview article, a more thorough resource of the car's technical aspects, written just after the car debuted in Detroit earlier this month, stated that a "Standard" base model would be available, which is true if you live in the U.S. Canada's bottom model is the well-equipped Touring. By not including the base model, that forgoes alloy wheels, fog lamps, front and rear floor mats, a security alarm system, speed (cruise) control, a

Despite its long list of standard features the PT Cruiser Convertible now slots in below Mazda's Miata as Canada's lowest priced ragtop. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

convertible top boot cover, as well as a CD player (it gets a standard cassette instead), the Canadian Touring is offered at a much better price, exchange rate to exchange rate, than the American Touring counterpart. It's always nice to get a deal, and important considering most Canadians live with lower expendable incomes than their brothers to the south. What's it cost? That's the best part. Despite its long list of standard features the PT Cruiser Convertible now slots in below Mazda's Miata as Canada's lowest priced ragtop, an impressive value at $26,995. The brand's confidence inspiring warranty is also part of the package, covering three years or 60,000 kilometers bumper to bumper, as well as seven years or 115,000 kilometers for the powertrain. That's Canada's longest powertrain warranty.