Chrysler LeBaron
New LeBaron coupe merits a long look
Chrysler’s new LeBaron carries the tired old LeBaron nameplate, but is absolutely the automaker’s slickest model since World War II.
Silly as it may sound to average car buyers, the new Chrysler LeBaron is the kind of auto that car buffs like to sit around with a cup of coffee and just stare at.
The new Chrysler LeBaron, with voluptuous contours, concealed headlights and steeply raked windshield, makes some expensive foreign performance cars look stodgy.
It’s not likely to be confused with Chrysler’s LeBaron four-door sedan and station wagon or LeBaron GTS four-door sports sedan.
The new Chrysler LeBaron recently went on sale as a two-door coupe.
It debuts in April as a convertible that looks as good as the coupe, if not better.
The Chrysler LeBaron convertible paces this year’s Indy 500 race.
I tested the coupe, which stickers in base form at $11,295 and in higher-line form for $12,288.
The convertible’s base price hasn’t been announced, but Chrysler insiders say figure on $14,000 to $15,000 – or close to $20,000 with lots of options.
My test coupe was loaded with options, including the turbo engine package, high-line sound system (remember when radios were called radios?), automatic transmission, leather seats, electronic instruments and speed control.
Those items, and a $414 transportation charge, raised the price to $17,883.
The turbo package includes Chrysler’s effective but somewhat noisy turbocharged 2.2-liter, 146-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, stiffer suspension and 60-series Goodyear Eagle GT performance tires.
The Chrysler LeBaron coupe’s performance generally measured up to its appearance.
For the less performance-minded, the standard 2.5-liter, 100-horsepower four-cylinder and regular suspension do fine. The 2.5 has good torque for low and mid-range performance. Balance shafts smooth out engine vibrations.
I recommend the three-speed automatic over the base five-speed manual. Chrysler, for all its engineering skills, hasn’t yet built a nice-shifting manual.
The base model’s analog gauges are easier to read than the high-line model’s vacuum fluorescent electronic instrument cluster.
But both models have a standard, handy trip computer.
Chrysler calls the coupe a five-passenger vehicle, but only three tall persons and a short passenger fit comfortably.
A tall person has almost no leg room when behind a tall driver with his seat shoved back.
Luggage space is good, and you can get the car with handy fold-down rear seat backs.
The standard power steering has nice boost and decent road feel, but it’s a bit too slow with the performance suspension and tires.
A faster steering ratio is needed with those components because they sharpen the car’s handling.
The steering is fine with the base suspension and tires, and the standard front disc-rear drum power brakes stop the car nicely.
Gas-charged shock absorbers provide a comfortable ride, even with the tighter performance suspension and low-profile tires that have short sidewalls which tend to stiffen a car’s ride.
The new Chrysler LeBaron is a personal luxury car whose competitors include Ford’s Thunderbird and Oldsmobile’s Calais.
The Chrysler LeBaron also was built to compete with the upcoming, sleek successors to GM’s tired old Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevy Monte Carlo, Buick Regal and Olds Cutlass personal luxury cars.
On styling alone, it should hold its own against them.
Monday: In Tucson, Ariz., with Jaguar’s first new sedan since 1968.
