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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  Lots of room and features - fun to drive - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By jen stan - December 18 - 2:00 am

  We have had our car for almost 3 years now and we really like it. The V6 is responsive and a bit sporty while keeping the ride smooth. The "real" back seat comes in handy when we take our friends out for a ride. Plus, the trunk is quite ample for a long weekend out of town plus! It offers a lot for your money in comparison to other convertibles. Its lots of fun to drive!

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  Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ron12 - December 14 - 10:16 am

  Nothing but problems, from water leaks to electrical malfunctions. Also braking and acceleration problems. Seeing to the rear very diffcult. Needs a wiper blade for rear window.

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  Great Until..... - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By sumcomfort - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I had the car die on me twice in the first year and a half. Something to do with the main computer and the transmission. Covered under warrenty and I was good to go. Lots of compliments received since I got it. I am currently at 86,000 miles and the last six months has been one problem after another. Power stearing had to be replaced. Evaporator on the air conditioning had to be replaced. Just in the last few weeks the car died again. No warning lights, just lost power and died. Turned out there was a major malfunction in the engine due to low oil pressure and had to replace engine.

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  Wow...impressive car. - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By stvkrenim - December 13 - 2:00 am

  The car has a surprisingly comfortable and quiet ride, a dramatic improvement over the 96 Cirrus I used to own. The interior seems a lot nicer, too. The cars engine is peppy enough for most situations, but when you really want to get moving quickly, the 2.4L engine is somewhat taxed by the cars weight. It never really feels truly underpowered...but it never feels like it has power to spare, either.

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  I dont see the problems everyone has??? - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By money1973 - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my JXi w/ 74K miles on 11/01 and thought I would have the typical "Chrysler" problems. 13 months later has 89,300 and I couldnt be happier. It ALWAYS starts and never left me stranded. Temps can get to -15 in winter and the 2.5 V6 always starts instantly. The only repairs, new wheel bearings and tranny cooler lines. The valance on the bottom of the rear window has separated from the glass, but the its only an appearance item so no water leaks. I do dread the $1300 100,000 mile tune up and timing belt change. I dont baby my cars and this JXi just keeps running. Could I have the only reliable Chrysler Sebring JXi ever built??!! LOL!

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  300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By JP MANOUK - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle that handles well and looks sharp. Fuel economy could be better but safety is also a concern

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  300M Special - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Tom/Allentown - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I got tired of shopping (Cad, BMW, Volvo,etc)and bought a silver one. My first Mopar. Kind of disappointed because it doesnt stack up well to my previous SLS Seville (except in price). Getting used to it but wouldnt recommend it for a traveler. 300M Special tires are only good for 20-30K, so its going to be $1000/yr for tires. The milage on the Seville was better and it was a V8 w/275 HP

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  mondays car - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sandy - December 5 - 9:56 am

  My 1st pt was a 2002 5 speed loved the car after 124,000 mi I felt I should get another. I have been to the dealer to many times. I bought a used 2008 with 12,000 mi. After 2 mo. And 3, ooo mi the car died on a 4 lane road. Alternator needed to be replaced. 2 moths later a wire came loose need to be replaced. Just picked it up from the dealership and now the speedometer is not working. Gotta go back again. I do not trust this car anymore. I loved the 2002. Hate this car. I am afraid to go on a long trip.

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  1999 Chrysler 300M Deep Slate - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By ilvrr1 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased vehicle with 27k on it. Rotors had to be replaced immediately. Also had complete failure of power steering pump, which was replaced by dealer. More recently, the drivers window regulator failed. I paid for that out-of-pocket.

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  2000 Chrysler LHS - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By JSemark - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a LHS with 60,000 miles on it off a lease and I could not be happier. The dealer was willing to negotiate and I got it for $12,100. They are also going to fix a few cosmetic things at no charge. Yes the resale is bad but hey- I got a $30,000 car thats two years old for $12,100. Much more car for the money than anything else I looked at.