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The buzz these days is about a little car that defies all logic. Styled like a hot rod, versatile as a minivan, and built on the platform of a little economy car, Chrysler’s PT Cruiser also breaks all the rules.

Is it a car? A truck? A minivan? Whatever, everybody loves this little dude – the young, the elderly, bikers, hippies, housewives, truckers. When you’re behind the wheel, everybody you see is looking back at you.

Well, not you, exactly. It’s that car you’re wearing. Not since the arrival of the New Beetle have so many people been this excited about a new car. And PT Cruiser cuts a wider swath of enthusiasts, a broader range of people pumping the thumbs-up sign. In short, everybody.

And talk about pent-up demand. There are already Web sites dedicated to the car, including a PT Cruiser Club that recently ran a picture of the first member to actually get one.

So, what’s so great about the PT Cruiser? It may seem shallow, but it’s the body style making people flip. Most agree it looks like a three-quarter-size ’37 Ford turned into a ’50s-style hot rod.

It’s a superb design from the company that brought us Vipers, Prowlers, cab-forward sedans and, 25 years ago, the original front-wheel-drive minivans.

It’s certainly not about performance. Basically, PT is just a snazzy body on the chassis of the proletarian Neon. It’s powered by Neon’s four-cylinder engine, which puts out a decent 150 horsepower but nothing to get excited about.

The four-banger provides good acceleration and hill-climbing. The test car, a top-drawer Limited model, was equipped with a five-speed stick shift, which would be the preferred setup for best performance. A four-speed automatic is available.

The engine roars harshly under acceleration, but quiets down to a reasonable hum during highway cruising. PT feels smooth and comfortable at freeway speeds.

Handling is good, but if you start pushing it, PT suddenly will turn top-heavy. I drove the test car on the winding little section of U.S. 66 near Oatman, and although it hugged the curves nicely, there were times when it felt a might tippy, with lots of body sway.

PT – initials that stand for the mundane “personal transport” – is highly space efficient, with lots of room for cargo, human or otherwise.

In some respects, you could say that Chrysler has reinvented the minivan. Besides the upright seating positions, high ceiling and favorable legroom, front and rear, PT has the flexibility of seats that fold flat like a station wagon or come out altogether. The front passenger seat folds flat, too.

Even with the rear seats up, there’s plenty of luggage space in back. A cargo shelf serves several purposes, including use as a picnic table.

The interior is really sharp, with a good-looking dashboard and some interesting retro touches. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and trimmed in leather and suede in the top-end test car. The Limite d package presents a shopping list of options for $4,588, including a touring suspension, 16-inch chrome wheels and performance tires, moonroof, full power accessories, cruise control, the leather package, and a bunch of other stuff.

Standard brakes are front disc/rear drum, but a $790 anti-lock-brake option includes all-wheel discs.

Probably the best feature of the PT Cruiser is its affordability, which has a lot to do with the excitement. Here’s a cool-looking, practical, fun car that regular people can buy. And with its exceptional versatility, the Cruiser will remain a valued family member well after the romance has worn off.

Chrysler plans to make 150,000 PT Cruisers during the 2001 model year. Better get in line.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan/minivan, front-wheel drive. Base price: $15,450. Price as tested: $20,010. Engine: 2.4-liter in-line 4, 150 hp at 5,600 rpm, 1 62 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Transmission: Five-speed manual. Curb weight:3,112 lbs. Wheelbase: 103 inches. EPA mileage: 20 city, 26 highway. Highs: Superb body styling, Space efficiency, Moderate price Lows: More show than go, Tippy handling, Had to give it back.