Our view: 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The first time the PT Cruiser rolled around, the little Chrysler wonder car appeared out of nowhere and disappeared even faster. Dealers sold them to the highest bidders. The plant in Mexico was flooded with orders. People waited a year to drive one. It had the looks. It had the hype. It didn’t have much under the hood. As the saying goes, looks were only skin deep. As much as drivers were attracted to its retro, 1937 Ford-like style, Chrysler’s surveys showed they also left the lot with one common complaint: If only it were

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

From concept car to reality in a little more than a year, the new, peppier PT Cruiser breaks the original mold by driving in hardly like the old. It’s still the retro car smash that was an immediate sales hit. It still has what everyone could want in a modestly priced automobile – passenger space of a mid-size, trunk space of a full-size and the changeability of both. Now it also has the cylinders to back it up.

New for 2003, Chrysler has unveiled the PT turbo, a shot to the arm as well as the adrenaline level. With a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder under the hood, the new PT delivers 215 horses, or 65 more than its predecessor. Not that the previous model was all that bad – with one person along for the ride. But weighed down with people or things and the PT Cruiser became a crawler. Now it can really cruise.

Not surprisingly, you’re going to pay more.

Available in the Touring or upscale Limited editions, the base price on the PT GT is $22,365; the Limited is $24,495. And loaded up with options, the PT will cruise into your wallet for about $25,900. Too much for a piece of nostalgia? Consider the value. For that price you get leather upholstery, heated front seats, performance 17-inch tires, side air bags, traction control, automatic transmission and a sport suspension, to name just a few things.

Pretty impressive, PT.

Everything else about the Cruiser, remains status quo, which is a very good thing.

There is still a five-speed manual that’s standard and an optional automatic transmission with Chrysler’s AutoStick manual shift mode – a flick to the left or right puts things in a manual mode – and there is still the comfort of multiple passenger seating, a ride that offers “theater seating” (a second row that sits higher than the first) and a unique instrumentation and layout that made the PT a winner from the start.

And the inside is still one of the best parts of this car. From the power window switches located in the center of the dashboard to the gauges located deep in center sections to the driving position that has you looking down onto the road, the PT is what it was: a unique ride.

You can still rearrange the interior enough ways to make your head spin. The back seats tumble forward or are easily removed, and the front passenger seat still folds flat. And there is a thr ee-position rear shelf perfect for tailgating or placing large objects on top.

Versatility is still key. Driveability reaches new heights.

With the turbo in place, acceleration is something to smile about – about seven seconds from 0 to 60 mph. You can attack corners better, or just get around traffic easier. The PT’s ability to take you in and out of lane changes is enough to prompt a few smiles even from the most serious drivers. It is no Maserati – body roll is still evident – but we’re talking about a $25,000 car, a mid-range alternative to the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen New Beetle or the new Chevy SSR pickup truck that’s going to hit the market soon.

And this is no turbo slapped to the four cylinder. The all-new engine has a turbo that’s been calibrated to reduce exhaust emissions and provide a quicker power boost. There’s even a grumble out of the rear to give the ponies a little snort.

On safety, the Cruiser rolls in with available side air bags , anti-lock brakes and traction control. And crash-test scores for a PT with side air bags come in at four stars (out of a possible five) for front and side impacts.

The noise factor was one of only a few downsides. Rev up the PT and you can hear the grumble more than the cough of the older version. Under hard acceleration, the crude and raucous sounds really come through.

And shorter drivers might find the PT a little awkward in the seating position. Handling is good and ride quality is on par with most cars this size. The suspension system is stiffer than on the lower-priced model, but that’s also a good thing.

On the whole, it’s practical, it’s efficient (19 mpg, 25 highway vs. 21/27 for the 150-horse car) and, finally, it’s fast.

Now if only they could make it a convertible.

And . . . coming this year: The PT rag top.

Cruise away.

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Turbo

High gear: Fun, still quirky and now more peppy, the PT Cruiser is a winner for its value, ride, spacious cabin and unique styling. Now a throwback with a little push back in the seat.

Low gear: Acceleration can be sluggish in non-turbo models, and shorter drivers might find the seating position a little awkward. Also, with a retuned exhaust, get ready for a louder PT.

Rating: 4

Vehicle type: Front-wheel drive, front-engine, five-door, five-passenger mid-size wagon.

Key standard equipment: Five-speed manual transmission; front independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bar; 17-inch alloy rims and all-season tires; ventilated front disc/solid rear disc brakes; four-wheel anti-lock brakes; traction control; remote anti-theft alarm system; front fog lights; split-bench, split-folding rear seat; rear heating ducts; remote power locks, windows, mirrors; cruise control; power, tilt steering; air conditioning; AM/FM single CD player.

Competition: Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Passat Wagon, Subaru Outback, Chevrolet SSR

Engine: 215 horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder turbo

Torque: 245 ft.-lbs. @ 3600 rpm

Wheelbase: 103 inches

Length: 168.8 inches

MPG rating (city/highway): 19/25

Manufactured: Toluca, Mexico

Warranty: The basic warranty is three years/36,000 miles; drivetrain is seven years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance is three years/36,000 miles and rust perforation is five years/100,000 miles.

Base price: $23,005

Price as tested (including options, destination and delivery charges): $26,405