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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  nice car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By KL9 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  10000 mi, good mileage, handling, and no rattles. poor storage space and road noise could be le

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  So So Car, great looks - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By DRMK - February 27 - 2:00 am

  AC Compressor went 1st year, side windows do not seal shut (when closing door when weather is bitter cold). Tires expensive to replace. Front end too low must be careful not to scrape it In the shop now for possible speed sensor problem, transmission stuck in 2nd (the dealer calls it limp mode so you can limp it back to the shop)

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  Cant wait til break-in period is over. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By TXtriathlete - February 21 - 7:40 am

  Just picked up my new 06 300 SRT8 yesterday. Previously had a 2000 Caddy STS. Took some reading thru the manual to find out all the cool features, which meet or exceed the Caddy. Car has a great combination of power/acceleration, handling, and braking. All in a package that is comfortable, quiet, and reasonably refined. Just close the doors on one and youll immediately sense the Mercedes-Benz spillover. Some interior bits arent as plush or refined as MB or Audis are, but for $20k less (or more), its a tradeoff I was willing to take. I got a big car with plenty of space, gobs of performance, and tons of features.

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  Typical LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Typical LHS - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun, elegant, reasonable gas mileage, but typical problems. Bought used with 75K, now 140K. Experienced same mechanical problems as others: A/C says Blend Door error and stays HOT, Transmission shutters and jumps into limp mode 2nd gear from hwy speed, trunk spring broke, headlamp bolts rusted solid, lower ball joint replaced.

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  My 2003 Sebring - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By cooldiva - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my 2003 Sebring LXI 2 months ago and I am exceptionally please with the smooth ride and dazzling exterior! Now it not only looks sporty, its looks more stylish and classier!! I also love the front grille and the reshaped hood. This car is so appealing and such a head turner! I feet so cool riding down the rode in my beautiful black LXI coupe. Thank you for the better paint because I had problems with my paint on my 1998. I also love the 4-CD in dash with the 7 speakers!!!! Also the new stainless steel look inside is such an eye catcher! So as you can see I am truly enjoying my new redesigned 2003 Coupe!

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  Love this car!!! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By GearHead70 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with my 300M. I spent 6 months researching cars before I settled on this one, and Im glad I did. Styling is excellent. Standard features blow the competition out of the water. It handles great, and has plenty of power for passing at highway speeds. For those who wish for more torque and horsepower, all I can say is there is only so much you can do with a front wheel drive platform. Wait for the 300N in 2004 when they go to rear wheel drive and have the optional V8 Hemi engine.

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  My Wonder Chrysler 2016 200C - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By scott ross - February 19 - 7:35 pm

  I rented this car because mine was in the shop and loved the feel of the car and the interior was outstanding. I found out that my car was going to be at the dealership for a long time due to a part delay. I rented this 200 for 1 month and my wife fell in love with it. Long story short...my car was recalled and I bought a 200 with the works and it was the best decision Ive made in a long time. If youre looking for a luxury look that causes stares to identify what type of car youre driving this is the one for you! Rich look for a reasonable price. Only down side Ive had was that navigation is not standard feature for 200c model. I have the 8.4 Uconnect with the Alpine 9 speaker system but would have to pay $695 additionally for just navigation. Not pleased to say the least and at this point will not incur the additional cost for what should be a standard option in such a nice car. Overall rating 9.

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  Satisfied Owner - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Doug Grover - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Overall, am happy with this vehicle. It is easy to drive, performs well, and looks good. Things that bother me after 4 years with this vehicle include some of the materials used in the interior - some of the plastic around the window/lock switches and around the gear selector seems to be sticky, no matter what you use to clean them, so you get a dirty look in those areas. Also, I have a problem with half of the rear seat leather in that it is getting scaly feeling, even though I have the windows tinted and keep the vehicle inside most of the time. It is only the upper portion of one seat, so I dont think its related to maintenance on my part.

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  Repair Guzzler - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Luigi - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car from day one. The top was replaced in year 3. Since hitting 60k miles my engine light has continued to light up my dash with its lovely vibrant yellow. I had brought it to 3 different dealers, all giving me different diagnosis. Evaporate fuel seal leak was one of the popular answers. Needless to say my fuel system was redone twice costing me over a thousand bucks. The 96-97 Sebring has been rated one of the worst used cars to own. I think that sums it up.

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  3 Year Owner - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By GregsJewel31 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I have had a pretty good experience so far with this car. I have over 70000 miles on it and it is still going. The acceleration could be better. When the engine is cold, it takes a while to get going in the morning. I love driving it with the top down. When the top is up, it seems kind of little inside. I am a little clausterphobic anyway. The one thing I dont understandis...where is the ashtray? I dont understand. I have never had a non-smoking car before...ha ha ha.