Gun-belt leather creaks as trooper Craig Thetford unfolds from behind the wheel. He glares around the parking lot, as if scanning for guilty parties. Now I've got to have one. Specifically, one of the 2001 model Chrysler PT Cruisers scattered around during a test-drive break. Another 35,000 are to be sold in some 40 foreign markets.
Early signs are good.
It has so many things for less than 20 grand. And it's highly customizable. It's going to be a knockout success. Spacious interior, great look. It's a purely American New Beetle, but practical.