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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  Lemon - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nike - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought this veh aug 2010 Ive had it 3 month just made 3rd payment and it has been the shop now 4 going on 5 time for same noise theyve fixed everything but that noise I really like the car drives nice but this is getting ridiculous that they cant find that noise and fix it I know now I will never buy another one

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  2007 Chrysler 300C - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Steve - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I have only driven this car about 3,000 miles. I am averaging about 21 mpg in 50/50 driving conditions city/highway. On the Highway at a steady 65-70 mph, according to the instantaneous mpg reading easy to get 27-29 mpg. Pretty good for 340 hp. Put your foot in it and mpg will drop to half of previous, although the acceleration is great. Have winter driving coming up, wonder how it will be in the snow?

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  Identity crisis - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Crossfireowner - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This german mutt has lost its identity in exchange for economy and American drivability. All sport car compromises for just some of the fun. PROS: -Grin inducing sticky turns. Almost no body roll. -Styling is great to "tragically unique" -Bulletproof Mercedes parts. -Sporty suspension might be a con to some, a definite pro to me. CONS: -Tire noise from its $220 (!) huge rear tires is understandable. Wind noise and plastic creaking from its cheap interior is not. -Steering is numb, pedals are squishy. -Impossible in rough weather. -Standard coupe compromises, trunk, leg room, ect. -6.5sec to 60MPH is just okay. -Blind spots are workable, but still there.

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  Great, up to a point - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By MissSally - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I got this car a year ago from my grandfather, and it had 183,000 miles on it then. It had been well- maintained, but over the past year its needed a new starter, a new battery, a new timing belt kit, a new water pump, and a new serpentine belt. It also developed a weird problem where, after stopping and starting several times in succession (as in running errands) it wouldnt start for awhile, and no one could ever diagnose what that was. The car now has 198,000 miles on it and Im done sinking money into it - Im getting rid of it! However, this car performed great for a long time and took a lot of abuse well.

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  A well built vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I have only spent $400 on this vehicle in over 5 years of ownership. Timely oil changes and inspections have proven to be the key to good performance. I have the original tires on the vehicle at 72,000 miles. I plan on keeping the vehicle until I can get about 200,000 miles out of it. I cant figure out why Chrysler stopped making this vehicle because I continue to see a number of them on the road.

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  2004 Sebring Convertable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By John Macatee - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have not had one problem at all with my Sebring since I bought it new in 2004. It has been reliable, fun, and has given me good fuel economy - 28- 30 mpg on the road about 25 mpg around town, using Copper performance tires. I had a leak in the area or the top back window. the dealer fixed it and I took it through the car wash all the time. I put on 148,000 miles on it in Los Angeles, then I moved it to Hawaii and put on a total of 182,000 miles when my son totaled it! The only thing I had to replace was the front left motor mount, which was caused going airborne for about 30 feet on a wavy road outside of Hilo. I just loved this car and am looking for buy another ASAP!

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  Camry replacement - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lizard - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Equal year/option Camry is $5-6k more! & NOT worth it. Our Camry 02 was very good, BUT VERY expensive to repair, tired systems. We needed a good value (kid in college expenses!), 4 door, & found a mint, Chrysler off-lease, loaded Sebring Touring. 73,000 km. Power train warranty to Mar 2012! So far, 34 imperial mpg on highway (better than our V6 Camry). Cruises effortlessly. Nice firmer ride, but not harsh. Camry was mushy.

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  Not too shabby - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By honestascanbe - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car used with high miles so my expectations werent the greatest. The first few problems i ran into would have been minor had I owned any other domestic car. I dont understand why parts are so much and mechanics cringed at the thought of working on it. The tranny went out and drained my bank account but I have the previous owner to thank for that. I seem to continue to have issues with the power mirrors going haywire but otherwise no electrical problems. All told, I like the looks and feel of the car and if the new tranny takes it over 200,000 miles Ill be satisfied with my investment. Provided nothing else major goes wrong.

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  No real complaints - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By larry - September 7 - 10:43 am

  Bought the little car with tongue in cheek, Have had no complaints to speak of, very comfortable to drive and ride, good performance, great MPG, Just not my idea of a sporty convertible. Drivers window rattles when rolled up and down, Radio intermittent. drips a little transmission fluid. Just quite a few little things for 54K miles. build quality poor but seems to be dependable.

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  Loving my car! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tiffany - August 29 - 9:48 pm

  So we bought my car in 2008 while I was still prego with my daughter. The best ever, only real problem is the get up and go or trying to get battery changed out. i had to get new battery last week which was aug 2010 it was 140 to do that due to the fact that u have to take driver side tire off. its a good car i feel safe in it with my daughter lots of room just wish my windows were tinted. dont let it have hail damage because if its on the roof they will total your car and cant fix it but i love it its slick and nice and easy to maneuver. looks slick and nice keep up on the oil changes your car will be fine. i recommend this car dunno bout other peoples reviews ive had no problems at all dunno