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BUTCH CASSIDY would’ve abandoned Chrysler Corp.’s Sundance. This newcar from the company’s Plymouth Division is a squeaky little thing thatdoesn’t shift straight.

It’s hard to believe that Chrysler made this one. After all of itssuccess with minivans and convertibles, and with front-wheel-driveluxury models like the New Yorker, how could Chrysler possibly roll outsomething like the Sundance?

This improbable vehicle must’ve come from Cars R Us. It’s more toythan car.

Maybe I’m being too harsh. I do have trouble handling disappointment,particularly disappointment that looks good. And the Sundance looksgood, all right. Feels good, too, until it starts moving.

Problem is, the Chrysler people tried to do too much with this one.They tried to produce an upscale/econocar/sporty-car/family-car sedan.They wound up with the adult automotive version of the infant “ActivityCenter” — that all-in-one Fisher-Price toy that has bells and leversand little things that turn and squeak.

I think the babies got a better deal.

Complaints: The squeaking in the test model, emanating from somewherebehind the dashboard, is bad enough. But the alleged five-speed manualgearbox is awful. I don’t pretend to be a hot-shot racer. But I do knowwhen a gearbox is smooth and when it is notchy. The test model’s gearsystem is about as notchy as you can get. Get an automatic.

Ah, and all of those little light-plastic touches in the interior.Tinker-toy plastic release levers on the rear fold-down seats.Tinker-toy plastic glove box cover. Tinker-toy plastic dash. Yipe!

What’s confusing about the Sundance’s proliferation of cheap plasticis that the stuff is embedded in an otherwise plush, comfortable andattractive cabin. The arrangement is like wearing white socks with anexpensive business suit.

Praise: The engine, and the Sundance’s exterior design.

The optional turbocharged, 2.2-liter, fuel-injected engine in thetest model is terrific. There is little turbo lag in this one. (That’sthe delay it takes some turbo engines to respond to an increased demandfor power.)

Maximum output is 146 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. The Sundance’sstandard, non-turbo 2.2 churns out 97 horsepower at the same enginespeed.

Exterior design: None of the cheapness that mars the interior isfound on the Sundance’s outer body. Here, the designers were consistent.Sleek, sophisticated lines accented by an excellent base-coat,clear-coat paint job.

Ride and handling: Good small-car ride. It takes bumps with relativeease. Handling — how the car steers and corners — is subpar.Turning this one at highway speeds is a little like trying to control aswinging pendulum.

Sound system: Chrysler AM/FM stereo radio and cassette. Okay. Noraves.

Mileage: About 24 to the gallon (14-gallon tank), combinedcity-highway, mostly running driver only and with minimum use of climatecontrol system.

Price-as-tested: $10,765, including $2,784 in options and a $382destination charge. That takes some of the sting out of my overalldisappointment with this one.