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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  1998 Chrysler Sebring (Limited) - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By chrysler777 - September 29 - 3:12 pm

  This Sebring is the first generation sebring and in my opinion the best! It is an affordable convertible that is not boring to look at or drive by any means. It has a refined transmission with plenty of power but pretty good mpg. If you are in the market for a convertible consider this one.

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  Bittersweet - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By car_guy_93 - September 27 - 11:49 am

  I bought my Sebring earlier this year, and fell in love immediately...that was until I began to have issues. Whole front end shot out, replaced axle assembly and ball joints, $750. the previous owners were older, had it dealer serviced regularly. I recently had to get rid of my Sebring because the timing chains went, screwing up the entire engine. My mechanic told me Id need a rebuild or replacement, $2900 at least. Not worth it on a 9 year old car with 120k. Loved the car, still kills me I had to get rid of it. But I do not miss the headaches and stress, this car is a total bad buy. I now have a 09 Sentra,while Ill always miss my loaded convertible, I feel a lot safer now.

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  Still enjoying the ride - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By toly492516 - September 9 - 8:49 pm

  I bought this car new in August 2000 and have driven it for 11 years. Thats 11 years on the streets of Chicago -- cold winters, hot summers, wheel-chewing potholes -- you name it, we have it. I hit 100,000 miles at the end of 2006, and now its over 186,000. Took a road-trip to Seattle circa 2008 what a way to travel! The car was totally reliable through about 2008. After that, problems started creeping up, but thats hardly surprising for its age, mileage, and driving conditions. Given a choice, Id buy this car again in a second. Ill be driving it till it stops.

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  2nd Sebring - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By shayne3 - September 3 - 6:49 pm

  My first Sebring was the convertible Custom. Loved that car. bought it with only 20,000 miles on it. My husband and I took long trips with it and I can honestly say that when my husband left me for my best friend I wasnt thinking too9 clearly. I totaled it. That car SAVED my life. When it came time to get another car I immediately went in search for another one. I found one that had been maintained. It has 157,000 miles on it and many of the things that were someone else s were already done. It gets 35 mpg on the highway and mid twenties city. It does have electrical problems, but there tolerable. Trunk can decapitate you, and I need new struts. She does leak fluids at times.

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  So far, so good - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By wns808 - August 30 - 5:00 pm

  Recently purchased a new 2011 Chrysler 200 Touring after coming from a gas-guzzing 2009 GMC Envoy, although it did take me a bit to become familiar once again with a midsize sedan, Im impressed with what Chrysler has done with the 200, as well as the fuel savings down the road

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  Solid, low cost Mommy-Mobile. - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nettech - August 28 - 6:36 pm

  Weve had our 2006 Pacifica for a year now, and it has been a blessing for us as new parents. The amount of things one needs to carry around for a baby is staggering, and our old Corolla wasnt cutting it. Its comfortable, feels very smooth and solid while driving, and holds quite a bit of stuff, making it perfect for weekend shopping trips. Only real downside so far has been the fuel economy (about 16-18 mpg on average, quite a contrast to a Corolla), but we knew that going in. We purchased it in 2010 from a wholesaler for $10,900, which was a significant discount from its $28,000 sticker price. If it continues to run for the next 4-5 years without any major repairs, well be happy.

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  I am going to Miss This Car! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By nursediesel - August 23 - 12:24 pm

  Had this car since it was a 2002 and had to give it up after 8 years of ownership. Nice styling, power and a comfortable ride. Changed the oil ever 3K and pampered it. Only problems were 1: Power Window Regulators (replaced 3 of them) 2: Chrome wheels began flaking and wouldnt hold tire pressure - had 4 wheels resurfaced $500. 3: Had to update the radio finally after CD stopped working This car would have probably gone to 250K miles, but it began to nickel and dime me. Latest quote was $2,000 for new struts and tranny was slipping a bit between 2nd and 3rd so it was time to move or have a possible money-pit starting.

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  Nice when newer, BUT... - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By jhihmoac - August 21 - 1:51 pm

  Like anything else on wheels, problems start cropping up when the years add on...Bought mine used at just under 130K...At that time, everything worked, except the air conditioner, which the lack of, really has an overall effect on a full-time automatic climate system...Heat will come on in the middle of a hot summer day, and will take its grandiose time to do its job come the winter...With these cars, servicing/replacing the A/C is a MUST, and that can get expensive...That done (expensive job), everything was fine until about the 176K mark, then it was just one thing after another, (stabilizer, cvs, brake lines, rotors)...Then the engine had some major issues, and it was time to junk it...

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  Great Car ! - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By alan_qeredaxi - August 18 - 6:42 pm

  Well, Unlike Edmunds review and the other reviews, I could find nothing that looks cheap or of poor quality, but some pieces in the interior looks cheap ! I was concerned after reading negative reviews, but the car has grown on me. I tested some cars in this segment including Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Kia Optima ... It was quiet and smoother. but the Altima was powerful than the Sebring with 2.5L engine. Sebring Its what you want in a mid-size sedan, the car is very nice inside and outside, it has a aerodynamic design, smart intuitive, powerful with I-4 and gushes with elegance, and also the seats are very nice and qulaity, among all of those thing, It is very Stable and economic !

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  Funny Story! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By mh200 - August 11 - 9:05 pm

  I never thought in a million years that I would buy a Chrysler product. I drove my 2006 Supercharged Mustang to the dealership before they opened on a Sunday morning to look at a used Saleen Mustang. As I got to the dealership I saw a Bright white Chrysler 200 Convertible on the Showroom patio, and surprise surprise it was left unlocked. I got in it and was absolutely floored on how nice it was. I looked at the car for so long that the Sales team arrived as I was looking at the car. I went on a test drive and the rest is history. So why all the bad "Expert Reviews? the car is no BMW, but look at the reviews from the people whom actually own one! Good-bye Ford, I will never look back!