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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  2005 PACIFICA IS NOT READY - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By M0N1QUE - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I love the luxury look of the car. Very functional, but Crysler is still experimenting with the customers money. They should not continue to sell this car until all of the problems have been solved.

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  Dissapointed in NJ - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LKAP - September 19 - 3:20 pm

  Bought the car about a year ago because I loved the muscle car look and the pure power from the Hemi. After the initial euphoria passed though, the warts started to come through. I wore through my tires in 22K mi, fit and finish issues started to appear such as cracks in the plastic (fake wood) door handles, and steering wheel controls sticking. Add to that gas mileage of 15 w/ a combo of city and hway and I had no choice but to trade it in. The 23Kmiles that I had it for cost me $16K as I got $26.5K for the trade. Mechanically the car is great, lots of power and great ride, but quality is still Chrysler and gas mileage is absolutely awful! 4WD is a must in the NE, RWD is awful in the snow!

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  Front end noise and more - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By DLLA - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Would not purchase another. Had owned a 2001 same model previously. Front end problems in both. 2 different dealerships - hear it, but cant fix it after multiple attempts at bushings, sway bars. Sounds like a rocking chair creaking when braking and turning noise is not present when only turning, however, I am told it is not a brake issue nor a safety issue. Concerned about resale and wear/tear especially after out of warranty. Also, have excess wind noise on drivers side excess brake dust intermittent outside temp sensor malfunction one-touch down drivers window never worked.

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  outstanding value - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By bill acampora - September 18 - 2:00 am

  for a price of $21,000 this is an outstanding and very underrated vehicle. The v6 engine is very strong and very responsive around town and on the inter- states. The ride is smooth and quiet and handling is first-rate. Not crazy about the interior layout but the exterior is raw and sexy. First class vehicle for the money and chrysler build quality is very noticably improved.

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  Just OK car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bryangm - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The body is very sold. Build quality seems very nice. Has some of the most comfortible seats ever. The 4 wheel disk brakes are excellent! The transmission in this car is junk! It clunks, sometimes wont downshift, and other times downshifts at the wrong time so the car lurches violently. Sometimes it wont go into gear even when its in drive, then will drop into gear with a loud clunk. This is with only a little over 10k miles. BEWARE! Their 7 year warranty thing is a scam! You can take the car back 50 times and their so called "Specialists" will tell you theres nothing wrong with it. This is with the 4 speed automatic with AutoStick.

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  Good for a non-sport enthusiast - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By stevio - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall, its been a good ride. I had 2000 JXI which I was actually MORE happy with than this one. However, it was wrecked. Ive had very rough idle engine problems since 12k miles. Dealer claims to have finally fixed it on the 3rd visit. But, still runs rough from time to time. Very impressive mileage for a v-6 in such a big car. I get 30-31 on highway with non-ethanol gas with speeds less than 73. After 73, mileage really deteriorates. (Just imagine if I didnt have that rough idle?) I would NOT buy another. However, would buy a used 1999 or 2000 JXI if the price was right.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By zoom1840 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a new limited. I was impressed by the gas millage. I also purchased the opitonal wind screen, it made a big difference. I would purchase another.

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  2002 Black Concorde Limited - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Spark - September 6 - 2:00 am

  We just bought this 2002 Limited. WOW! Superior styling and quality inside and out. The cavernous interior is extemely comfortable with fully powered, heated leather seats. The stereo system featuring a 4 changer CD and cassette player has plenty of power and sound seen rarely in a factory system. The exterior is flawless and the panels all fit together with the slightest gaps. The doors, trunk, and hood close with a soild "Thump" with no rattles or clanks. Since we bought this car, I have been asked by several people, "What is that?" I believe most had know idea that Chrysler made such a high quality product. It feels good "Its a Chrysler!"

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  Beauty only skin deep - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By anthoney - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I owned the car for two and a half years bought at 39,000 miles and sold at 74,000. Problems during ownership air conditioning, power window, and transmission speed sensor failures, and the radio was erratic. The main reason for selling the vehicle was my experience with a 1996 Chrysler LHS. It appears that a typical "LH" car can become problematic after 75,000 miles. Based on NHTSA info, I was very concerned that the 2.7 liter V6 might fail prematurely. Also, the steering was making weird noises. I now own a Toyota.

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  Expensive fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By t gambill - September 2 - 9:20 am

  Gets lots of attention on the road but for a price! Fuel/oil costs are significant for such a small car. Warranty work is a bit of a hassle since most small-town dealerships dont see enough of them to be able to easily solve problems. Negotiate tough...this is not a car that everyone wants.