Chrysler Reviews2002 Chrysler 300M Review
Think of this as a big sports sedan. 2002 Chrysler 300M Base Price (MSRP) $28,340 As Tested (MSRP) $29,385 Chrysler designed the 300M as an American sports sedan, a contemporary interpretation of its historic "letter cars" sold from 1955 to 1965. With firm suspension tuning, the 300M is designed to deliver the handling and performance benefits associated with European sedans. It isn't a BMW 5 Series, but its handling is exceptional for a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan and that makes the 300M a joy to drive. Drivers who want to increase the sports appeal further should look at the new 300M Special. This special model comes with a lower, stiffer high-performance suspension, bold 18-inch wheels on massive P245/45ZR18 speed-rated tires, and other performance goodies. For 2002, all 300Ms get a new tire pressure monitoring system, Electronic Brake Distribution, and the child seat LATCH system. 2002 Chrysler Concorde Review
Distinctive styling, luxury, roominess, and performance. 2002 Chrysler Concorde Base Price (MSRP) $22,510 As Tested (MSRP) $24,510 Out with the old, in with the new. Well, sort of. The Chrysler Concorde has donned LHS clothing for 2002. See if you can follow this: All three Chrysler Concorde models have adopted the elegant front and rear styling from the Chrysler LHS. There is no LHS available this year, at least not in name. The LHS nameplate has been dropped, so you won't see a 2002 LHS in the Chrysler showroom. What you'll see, instead, is a Concorde Limited. The new Concorde Limited model features the higher trim of the LHS. This wasn't as complicated for Chrysler as it sounds. The luxurious LHS shared underpinnings and much of its hardware with the full-size Concorde. Some styling cues were also shared. Regardless of what it's called, this design still cuts a nice profile. That's impressive given this design is in its fourth year. Chrysler has been on the leading edge of design in recent years and this car is a perfect example of this. Most cars, particularly those with more daring designs, tend to look dated after a few years. This isn't one of them. The bold grille and fluid lines still look terrific. Yet the sleek design does not prevent the Chrysler Concorde from being a practical car with a comfortable, roomy interior. 2002 Chrysler Prowler Review
Color me gold, Inca Gold. 2002 Chrysler Prowler Base Price (MSRP) $44,625 As Tested (MSRP) $45,850 If color evokes emotion, then the Prowler should be eye candy for those who like gold. Inca Gold is a bright yellow metallic designed to evoke memories of candy-colored California hot rods. The Prowler is, of course, a throwback to early American hot rods. Yet it embraces some of the latest technological advances in the manufacture of the automobile. It is the most aluminum-intensive car built and puts magnesium, urethane, and polymers to work as well. It comes with an all-aluminum overhead-cam V6, rather than the iron overhead-valve V8s used in traditional hot rods. It uses a semi-automatic transmission and its state-of-the-art run-flat Goodyear tires will keep going even if you drill big holes in them. It also comes with air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and a 320-watt sound system with a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers. 2002 Chrysler PT-Cruiser Review
And it’s practical, too. 2002 Chrysler PT-Cruiser Base Price (MSRP) $16,500 As Tested (MSRP) $21,425 It was only a matter of time. This year, as if the PT Cruiser needed something to make it stand out, Chrysler is offering flames as an option. Order the factory optional tone-on-tone flames and experience a throw-back to your misspent youth. Or maybe just go back in time. Flames or no flames, there's nothing on the road quite like the PT Cruiser. Though it has become a familiar site, it still attracts attention., and that's a big part of its fun. Is it a hot rod, a little panel van or a uniquely styled compact car? People from all walks and stations want a better look, intrigued by the Cruiser's difficult-to-define character. It is, as Chrysler says, too cool to categorize. Yet the really great thing about the PT Cruiser is its combination of practicality and reasonable price. Its affordability and practicality make it suitable for everyday use by everyday people. Shorter than many compact cars, it offers the interior volume of a SUV. And it's almost as much fun to drive as it is to be seen in. 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Review
Alfresco motoring that's practical and affordable. 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Base Price (MSRP) $24,370 As Tested (MSRP) $27,320 Chrysler's Sebring convertible combines a roomy interior, attractive pricing with a sleek design and top-down motoring. Maybe that's why it's America's best-selling convertible. Who says practicality has to be boring? Boring goes out the window with the touch of a button, as the Sebring's top drops behind the rear seat. This car looks good even with the top up. Completely redesigned a year ago, Chrysler's convertible sports smooth lines similar to the Sebring coupe and sedan. Beneath its sleek interior is a stiff structure with a suspension designed to provide sporty handling and a smooth ride. Quick acceleration is on tap from the available 200-horsepower V6 engine. For 2002, the availability of a four-cylinder engine has reduced the price of entry into Sebring's alfresco experience. This year, the LX model starts at just $23,075 and comes equipped with a 2.4-liter twin-cam engine rated at 150 horsepower. Midyear in 2002, Chrysler is introducing a GTC model that comes with the V6, a sports suspension, and a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. 2002 Chrysler Sebring Coupe Review
Stylish, fun to drive, and affordable. 2002 Chrysler Sebring Coupe Base Price (MSRP) $20,020 As Tested (MSRP) $26,525 Chrysler's Sebring coupe combines style, practicality, and sporty driving dynamics at an affordable price. The Sebring is a stylish sports coupe, yet there's enough genuine legroom in the back seats for two adults. This is a lot of sports coupe for $20,000, and a V6 engine is available for increased acceleration performance. 2002 Chrysler Town & Country Review
A luxury car disguised as a minivan. 2002 Chrysler Town & Country Base Price (MSRP) $24,880 As Tested (MSRP) $29,365 If what you really want is a luxury car, but family demands call for a minivan, then you've come to the right place. With comfortable seating (available in leather, of course) for up to seven people, power everything, a responsive engine, and a smooth ride, the Chrysler Town & Country makes you feel like you're driving an refined, upscale vehicle. Yet it offers practicality without the excessive weight and bulk of a SUV. Getting in and out is easy with a low, flat floor and chair-height seating, and you don't need to be a Houdini to climb into the third row. It even fits in the garage. Chrysler completely redesigned the Town & Country for 2001. The result ranks among the best minivans on the market. The interior is versatile with seats that fold and remove. Powerful V6 engines deliver crisp performance. The ride is smooth and quiet. And it's wrapped in an attractive design. New features available for 2002 include adjustable pedals, DVD video and remote audio for the rear seats complete with wireless headphones, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. 2002 Chrysler Voyager Review
One of the better deals on wheels. 2002 Chrysler Voyager Base Price (MSRP) $16,995 As Tested (MSRP) $20,275 The Voyager represents the high-value end of Chrysler's minivan line, and value is its stock in trade. With it you get the minivan essentials-space, passenger and cargo flexibility, and maneuverability-at prices that are hard to beat. It's a simple formula, and it works. The Chrysler Group's entire range of minivans, including Chrysler Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan, underwent a complete makeover for model year 2001. (See separate nctd.com reviews of the Town & Country and Caravan.) The big news this year is pricing, as stickers increased less than 1 percent on average and actually declined in many cases, based on new standard equipment. Updates for 2002 are limited to a model realignment and new features, including a standard four-speed automatic transmission, power-adjustable foot pedals and some high-tech gizmos like a factory-installed DVD player. We passed on most of the gizmos in favor of a standard Voyager equipped as a standard family might choose. Why? Because Chrysler (and its Dodge brand) dominate the market for minivans priced at $20,000 or less. Based on our road test, it's not difficult to understand why. Chrysler Reviews
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