AZCentral.com's view

Much of the absolute frenzy that once surrounded Chrysler’s mini-hot-rod, the PT Cruiser, has cooled down, replaced now by an abiding but less-infectious popularity.

This time last year, demand was roaring; supplies were limited; and tempers were hot. It seemed that everybody wanted a PT Cruiser, and they wanted it right now.

Reports of price-gouging dealers, long delivery waits and hysterical customers took some of the wind out of PT’s sails, if not PT sales, which have been strong and steady since the little truckette arrived for the 2001 model year.

Of course, styling is the key to PT Cruiser, as it has been for other Chrysler products, such as the Ram pickup and the unique Prowler, the world’s only mass-produced street rod. The Cruiser’s 1930s-derived look is what keeps it from becoming just another four-door hatchback.

Chrysler, now a division of DaimlerChrysler, has had a tough year, profit-wise, and the PT has been one of the bright spots as the automaker struggles back from the brink.

The fear, though, is that PT’s bright spot could fade, that the enthusiasm will wane as the numbers soar. Tens of thousands have been sold, and there seems to be a PT Cruiser on every block.

PT Cruisers are no longer hard to get and no longer command a waiting list. On a recent evening, 18 were for sale on eBay, the Internet auctioneer.

Chrysler designers and marketers have set out to get the juices flowing again. But there are limitations. It would be suicide to go too far afield from what created the stir in the first place: unique retro styling that nearly everybody loves, exceptional practicality and moderate price.

Two long-awaited new versions of the Cruiser were introduced at recent auto shows: a handsome convertible that already has people besieging dealerships and a turbocharged version that gives Cruiser the power to back up its hot-rod image.

The test car is a more-modest effort to gild the lily, with a stick-on wood-grain package affixed to PT’s flanks designed to conjure visions of wood-bodied Chryslers from the distant past. The idea here is to recall past glory and capitalize on the surfer-dude appeal. But I wasn’t too crazy about the look. To me, it seemed less like a hot-rod and more like a minivan. The one I drove was metallic blue, and I think the treatment might have been more effective on a car that was glossy black.

Otherwise, the Cruiser performed as usual, like a happy little warrior. The last Cruiser I drove, when they first came out and I feared that people would ram me in their excitement, was a five-speed manual shift that performed fairly well. The automatic in the recent Cruiser sapped too much power from the 150-horsepower engine as it strained to pull the 3,100-pound car into freeway traffic or up hills. The upcoming turbo will pack 215 horses under the short hood, a definite upgrade.

The steering is sharp and responsive, but Cruiser doesn’t like to be pushed too hard in the corners, where it feels a might tippy.

The interior still looks sturdy and appealing. It’s also surprisingly roomy, considering the small overall dimensions. The tall roof and upright seating position do much for space.

As for versatility, a new dishwasher in a huge box was tucked into Cruiser just by tipping forward the rear seats.

The wood grain was an inexpensive upgrade at $895. Other options on the test car were the automatic, $825; antilock brakes and traction control, $790; 16-inch chrome wheels, $600; power moon roof, $595; side air bags, $350; and a few other items, making the total price on the vehicle $23,370.

A well-equipped PT Cruiser starts at just over $18,000, which still seems cheap for all the style and convenience. And now, you can get one without waiting months for delivery.