By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Exterior styling tweaks, interior upgrades and the addition of the award-winning Pentastar V-6 engine has transformed the Chrysler Sebring convertible — rechristened the 200 — into a four-person droptop worthy of consideration.

The extreme makeover was accomplished last year in Chrysler's rush to get freshened — and improved — "made in Detroit" products out the door. A new generation of the Chrysler mid-sized sedan and convertible is still a year or two away, but for now the renamed Chrysler 200 convertible is a noteworthy replacement for the cheap-looking and cheap-feeling Sebring.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Chrysler 300 created a much ballyhooed styling statement back in 2004 when it hit the marketplace as a 2005 model with a revolutionary blocky, masculine, gun-slit window retro look. The 300 is the Godfather as compared to the PT Cruiser’s soldier.

Although it’s now time for a complete makeover, the uniqueness of the original long since gone, Chrysler — not long out of bankruptcy and working to regain its footing as Fiat has taken operational control — elected to do only a refresh for the 2011 model year. And as refreshes go, this one is a dandy. It should serve the flagship Chrysler sedan well until the next all-new 300 arrives in a couple of years. By doing so it has avoided the feared mid-life crisis.

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We usually advocate ignoring the top trim level of any vehicle, opting for a mid-level trim with the proper engine and transmission and then adding options as desires and budget dictate. This usually means a modicum of savings because you are not saddled with a plethora of stuff in the manufacturer’s inventory attached to the top trim no matter how delicious, but irrelevant, they may be.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The unique and stylish Chrysler Pacifica was introduced earlier this year just as the domestic automobile market went into a deeper funk causing what could be called a soft launch. And it didn’t help that Pacifica came in at a rather lofty starting price of $32,980 for the all-wheel drive model, the only version available initially.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Head-turning two-seat sports cars for less than 35 grand have made a comeback over the last few years. One of the newest of this desirable breed of exciting transportation is the Chrysler Crossfire, a rear wheel-drive car so exotically styled that it will literally grab your attention the first few times you see it on the street.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Chrysler has stirred up an unlikely but tasty automotive stew. Just ask the people who are standing in line willing to pay sticker price for the all-new Chrysler 300 and 300C in an age when rebates, no-interest loans and cut-to-the-bone prices are business as usual.

The boxy sedan with the in-your-face grille and a chop-top look has people all agape.
 

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

When the breathtakingly gorgeous 2004 Chrysler Crossfire sports coupe finished drawing ooh’s and aah’s while it was in our possession a couple years ago, we were left happy with the week-long experience, but wishing for more horsepower.