Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Still going topless! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By George - August 15 - 4:24 pm

  Ive had my Sebring convertible a year now, and my wifes had hers eleven months. Ive done about 10,000 miles and my wife has done about 6,000 miles on hers. We love the way they drive, their fuel economy, their styling and their huge trunk capacity. On a recent long trip, my car with four people in it, plus luggage,with the top down averaged over 31 mpg doing parkway speeds! My wifes car with the six, regularly does 25+ mpg. These cars are sure footed performers both in nice and in nasty weather. They are GREAT cars and we believe theyve not received the good credit that they deserve from the professional reviewers and others. Ive driven 44+ yrs. and should know!

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  Great Sebring for me and two teenagers - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By socalangels - August 14 - 6:07 pm

  My 1999 Sebring jxi convertible was bought by me in 2000. I bought it used.It was a rental car for its first 17000 miles. I put 90,000 more miles on it and gave it to my daughter who put 20000 miles on it and now my 17 yr old son is driving it. Since my daughter now lives in Utah, my son and I picked it up from her in Salt Lake City and drove it back to Orange County California. It was 111 degrees as we drove through Las Vegas and the Mojave Desert. The air conditioning worked so well my son had to put a sweatshirt on in the car since I like it cold. We got 34 miles per gallon on the trip back! The car has been extremely dependable with no repairs other than routine maintenance!

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  It was nothing but trouble. - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By zion - August 14 - 6:04 pm

  My first Chrysler product - off-lease with only 20K miles! Overall we have enjoyed the car interior features, BUT: for the first two months I drove car only once - from a dealer, and the rest - car was in repairs battery died (less than 3 years old) could not move a shifter from parking position – little plastic part got broken (under- engineered) engine light and "gas cap" message came on - EVAP system problem /leak ABS light came on and stayed means ABS was disengaged - probably bad sensors two tires started slow leaking air and tire-shop mechanic pointed out on micro cracks (expensive Michelin tires!) I lost my feeling of safety customer service virtually not existed.

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  Dream used car is a Nightmare - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By unhappy in MT - August 14 - 2:16 pm

  Now has 59,000 miles. Loud clicking when turning to park and corners- mechanic cannot locate problem. Already fixed sway bar joints thinking that was the issue,nope noise still present. Interior leaking during heavy rains in 3 spots (front pass door jam, sunroof & along reading lights in front. 4 times this year that I have had get a jump start within hours of it being driven & they say the battery is good (March 08. Had to replace battery prev within 6 mths of owning. Within 1st 4 mths,driver window mechanism broke,window fell into door & had to drive to replace in 14 degree weather. Low tire light comes on for no reason. Depreciating at $500 a mth, so good luck trading in. DISAPPOINTMENT!

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  Low, fast and sharp - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DEB - August 13 - 8:26 pm

  I have a srt-6 roadster in graphite and never get tired of the look of this car. The lines are amazing and its fast. The interior is comfortable and user friendly. It never fails to turn heads including mb owners on a regular basis. When the top is down ive had people shout great car and give a thumbs up, people crossing streets have stopped and commented thats a beautiful car. I looked at the mb slk and amg but went for the crossfire, the engine is mb assembled in the same german plant and i preferred the body lines to an emblem.

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  Fun car to own and drive - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By sebr06 - August 13 - 6:00 pm

  I bought the 2006 Sebring two years ago when it had 15,000 miles and it was about 1 year old. It has been a very good car and is a lot of fun to drive. The fuel economy is very good, 30 mpg on highway, 25 in city. Good looking car, good sound system, Excellent cruiser car, large truck, good vacation car and weekend car.

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  A feel good roadster! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By autobuyinghelp - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Before purchasing my Chrysler Crossfire Roadster Limited, I owned a 1995 Corvette Roadster for the past five years. Id grown very attached to the power and handling of Corvette. After test driving both the Honda S2000 and Audi TT Roadster, I was convinced that I would not be satisfied with anything less then a Corvette, but that was only until I drove the Crossfire. Its styling and "high tech" look first attracted me, but it only took a short drive to convince me that there was a lot more then just its good looks. It certainly is one of the most comfortable, fun to drive vehicles that Ive ever owned. The V6 Mercedes motor is powerful and smooth.

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  Roomy & Sharp lines - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LPenazek - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Nice style, Nice interior. Nice Dash and Console. Trunk space to spare. Many safety features which reduces Insurance. Smooth ride with 17" tires. Nice grill front. Gas lid and location could be ergonomically challenged a bit lower. Gas cap should have a place to be stored while pumping, instead of hanging limp with potential scratch opportunities over time.

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  Not a Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By InofinRon - August 12 - 10:00 am

  As a former car dealer I am no Chrysler fan they have been building junk for several years!!!!!!!!! The 300c is a step back to the rear wheel drive days when Chrysler was a leader I have one of the first ones sold and have only good things to say about it.

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  nothing like it - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By newcardriver - August 12 - 10:00 am

  This car provides an unbeatable combination of style, power, and luxury at an incredible value. If you have never owned or considered owning a Chrysler product, please compare this car to others in its price range. You will be shocked at what this car offers versus what you were prepared to get. Only get this car if you are prepared to stand out from the crowd of overpriced blandness and sameness.