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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  Fun but not worth the trouble - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bob D - July 30 - 12:00 pm

  After reading other reviews it has become apparent to me that my experience with the Sebring is somewhat typical. In general, lots of things need tweaking and repairs are costly and frequent. 125k miles - replaced/repaired - panel cluster - many radio components - brakes through and through - fan assembly - soon to replace the rubbers that seat the spark plug tubes (rough idle - arcing) gotta remove the engine cover... we all know what that can cost. Lots of rust spots on the way. When I buy a used car the next time I will consult Edmunds first. Sebring - not again, but the car still remains a head turner. Too much invested to sell but worried what will go next.

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  BMW beater, awesome hwy car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Miles n miles - July 30 - 5:43 am

  30,000 miles already in 8 months. 27 mpg. I do a lot of highway miles. Not a single major problem. Great BA sound system. I used to drive BMWs, in fact this 300 has more luggage room than a 740IL, it is as wide, only 8 inches shorter, the 2001 740IL costed 72 grand. BMW 740IL had a leaky valve gasket, VAnos problem, power steering leak, instrument display replaced, all at 40,000 miles. Talk about high maintenance. German or European cars are not all that they are cracked up to be.

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  Love It! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By T. Kierce - July 29 - 10:40 am

  I absolutely love my car, probably more than any other vehicle Ive ever owned. It looks awesome, drives awesome, what else would you want. Maybe one in every color? Thats probably the only thing I would want to change. I love all the colors! Lets just say that I love the Chrysler C (hemi) so much that Im sure it will also be my next car, just instead of Magnesium, which I have and love, it will probably be the blue. Im sure I will still have the hundreds of compliments (and race offers) as I do now. Thanks for building such a hot car! Love it!

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  A great car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Socaltim - July 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2002 Chrysler Sebring LXI Coupe in May of 2003. It was a brand new 2002 that was left over so I got it for $18,350!!! I think the car is stunningly beautiful on the outside. Mine is loaded with every option but ABS. Driving the car is pure pleasure. The V6 is silky smooth and really pulls hard. The 5-speed shifts smoothly and the clutch uptake is perfect. The intake/exhaust sound when you wind it up is the perfect blend of turbine-like harmonics. The interior is nice, with leather seats and an terrific Infinity sound system. Im betting that the Mitsubihi drivetrain holds up better than the other Sebrings.

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  My Little Cruiser - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Reenie - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Actually, it is a loaded Touring Edition. I wanted this car for three years and it has lived up to my expectations. What I love most is the design and attitude. Three years after the Cruiser first appeared on the street, it still turns heads. I do not find it disturbingly underpowered, and my two large dogs can walk around the rear with the seats down. If kept clean and shining, this car makes people smile. Im all for that!

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  CATEGORY KILLER - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Blue Planet - July 29 - 10:00 am

  A great Car...this is a category killer...SUVs...move aside! Frankly there is no reason to have a "trucky" SUV when you can drive this "first class" sports tourer. Daimler- Chrysler have done a great job in not leaving any details out. It does not have the acceleration of my MERC 500, but then again I did not buy it for that reason. In all other respects, the PACIFICA has met and even surpased all it made itself to be. The muscular looks are impressive and the interior space is awsome. Better than the previous SUV.

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  bought this car cheap - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tony - July 29 - 7:59 am

  I bought this 2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 56,000 miles @$6500.00. I wont say as this car hasnt proven reliability but it is a decent car. For the price I paid for the car as I am going to use it to drive back and forth to college should do ok. The car shimmys at 45 mph and i just put on new tires, done a 4 wheel alignment. My recommendations since Chrysler has had a reputation (bad) for the 2.7 liter v6 is to use full synthetic oil. This is my first convertible ever and I do like driving with the top down.

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  Gotta luv this car!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By fairfax300ondubs - July 28 - 11:30 pm

  Well, i have had my 300 now for a few months, and I LOVE IT!!! I get more looks and compliments from all types of people, from 5 yr olds to 70 yr old men. It rides smooth, and even though its a pretty big car it doesnt seem like it. I have the touring model, so there are a few little extras that i would like, but i can live w/o them. And for being only a 3.5 L V6 its got plenty of power. I live in Northern VA where there is CRAZY traffic and i havent been run over yet and find it quite easy to maneuver through traffic with my 300. I would Definitely recommend this car to ANYONE!!!

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  Muscle with Luxury - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Mr. V. - July 28 - 7:17 pm

  I have to admit, going from a highpower two seater to this monster was quite a shock. I really enjoy getting out of a vehicle unwrinkled. I have an incredible amount of raw horsepower under the hood. I mean those fancy two seat cars are fun but no real dignity or comfort climbing in and out of one. The SRT8 not only has comfort and ease of handling but an incredible amount of space in the interior. Way to old these days to entertain in the back seat but this baby could hold an entire salesman convention party. Were talking more room in the front seat of the 300 than a Range Rover front seat.

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  Love that car! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Chrysler Concord - July 28 - 12:45 pm

  If you can live with almost 100% failure of door handles,window motors,cup holder and upper hood molding strip,the rest is pure joy to drive and comfort to ride in. I am trying to decide between a new car or a rebuilt engine in the 143,000 mile Concord that is using oil every couple of weeks. They dont make them like this now that are affordable for the normal person who cant afford a luxury vehicle.