In the car-a-minute culture of the 21st century, it is rare to find one that gives pause. Automakers race a car into production and onto the laps of a public that scarcely understands what it is or why it's something they should buy. Five years later - sometimes three - the car is gone, replaced by a vehicle that looks nothing like its predecessor yet has the same name.

And so it goes. Nowadays, it's difficult to find a vehicle that deserves the honor of a die-cast salute - except, perhaps, the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire. With its Bugatti-inspired, American-flavored design, the Crossfire wins the Autobytel Editors' Choice for Most Stylish New Car of 2005.

So it turns out that strakes count for something. So does the funny little spoiler that activates at 65 mph. On the Crossfire, it's part of the charm, and there are few roadsters with a more charming, spirited design. Call it sporty sophistication. The Crossfire doesn't look too young, as many grown-up roadsters tend to look. The Crossfire, if anything, looks too expensive - a good thing, with a price tag around the same as the Nissan 350Z roadster but with a mature look for people who are now likely to cruise the vineyards on a Saturday afternoon, as opposed to the boulevard on a Friday night.

For 2005, there is an entry-level Crossfire coupe selling at below $30,000. The standard Crossfire coupe ($29,045) has a six-speed manual transmission, while the Crossfire Limited is available with a choice of six-speed manual ($33,745) or five-speed automatic with AutoStick ($34,820). Almost all Crossfire trims share the same 215-horsepower V6 engine.

That "almost" is an important caveat, as it spells out SRT-6 - a fine performance roadster with looks, speed and a nice big tail in back. This car is where style meets grunt and the result is a roadster that is beautiful inside and out. If you buy the SRT-6, well, you may not get to see the admiring glances as you blur on by. But that's okay, because you'll be having way too much fun to care. As with most things from the Chrysler shop nowadays, the Crossfire SRT-6 flat goes, with a supercharged version of the standard V6 rated at 330 horsepower. Chrysler says the SRT-6 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds - whoo-hah territory. The suspension and brakes are also upgraded to maximize the fun quotient.

Cars are, after all, all about having fun - and that includes looking good as you motor down the road. That's what the Crossfire is all about - putting a quality posture forth for the world to see while finding a nice way to enjoy a sunset, get down the road and drive something with a little more spirit and cachet than the neighborhood special.

- Brian Chee