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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  Original owner, and family car with low mileage. - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Michigan Zegota - September 24 - 10:31 pm

  Where it was manufactured, and that some parts will require metric tools. This model does hold up well in Northern environments and handle well in snow with appropriate tires, great A/C and heater. Mileage is above average for model and year, does not require no-lead gasoline, or special formula, if driven in Northern environment where salt is used on roads. You should look for signs of rust in rear wheel area, behind fender, undercarriage and frame holds up well, so does the 2.7 engine if properly maintained. Do not listen to complaints on this engine, however make sure you do check for any major repair work, I did have to replace the complete power steering unit, include the front right wheel assembly due to poor manufacturing. It is one of the reasons that I do ask you to check and make sure that the Sebring was made in America, and not Canada because of metric bolts...etc. I still have this car today after fourteen years, with sixty-seven thousands original miles, just replaced the rear struts last year 2016. Now experiencing the oil indicator warning light on, and staying on after warming up, heating indicator showing ok temperature, no leaks, and oil level is ok. Could be pump, however at this stage and year would not prefer to spend that amount of money for a pump, or repairs, guess will drive until tires fall off. I would not purchase this car new, is I had a chance, way too many issues from date of purchase, I even tried to pursue the lemon law in Michigan within the first two years. No one would listen...got me a brand new Buick 2014 now.

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  Love This Car - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Donna - September 24 - 10:34 am

  This is my second Pacifica. I love this car. I have had Cadillacs and Lincolns and this car has a lot better ride. The comfort is awesome. People get in and cant believe how much room it has. I have heard that Chrysler is going to stop making them. I hope this is not true.

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  Reliable but has problems - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Thirtysomething - September 24 - 9:11 am

  I purchased this car from Enterprise Car Rental Company in Plano Texas when is was still considered a new car. It has been reliable, but noisy. Sounds like a helicopter flying over my head constantly. I am hard of hearing and wear a hearing aid. When I am driving this car on the interstate it is hard for me to hear on my cell phone because of the noise. The a/c condenser is creating too much water, it is leaking into the passenger side of my car and it drips onto the serpentine belt and squeals. The fuel econ sucks and very little power. I also own a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, it is more powerful and gets better gas mileage. Plus, it was a pain to replace driver headlight bulb It went out twice!

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  Excellent Car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Don Pelzel - September 22 - 4:28 pm

  The car has been a pleasant surprise with the ride and fuel mileage. With 72000 miles with no problems. If I drive 70 miles an hour I have obtained over 33 miles to the gallon. Original tires and brakes. Very happy with this purchase.

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  Perfect American Luxury - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Paige - September 21 - 1:36 pm

  I absolutely love the LHS. I have owned multiple LHSs and keep coming back for more. My sister owns an LHS and I have owned three. After 10 years my 99 is still one of the best looking cars on the road. Driving this car feels like driving a much more expensive, high-end luxury vehicle. Acceleration is phenomenal considering the weight of the behemoth. Comfort is second to none, although road and wind noise is a bit sub-par. It has a few "gremlins", dash tends to split on the passenger side, door seals tend to fall, speed sensors have a history of going in this make, headlight seals like to separate and the headlight lenses tend to yellow and become milky, ect. All of these are EASY FIX!

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  great - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By donnie - September 21 - 1:03 pm

  i love the car. the only thing i dont like is the wear on the tires and rims along with the alignment issues. it also gets very poor gas mileage, not to mention the upkeep on the car is insane ($).

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  From SUV to Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Landmonger - September 21 - 10:00 am

  For anyone that needs the size of a minivan, but without the awful looks and typical stereotype of one, this ride is for you. Got ours fully loaded and enjoy all the toys and performance of the Mercedes platform. Hey Chrysler, you did this to me on the first Grand Cherokee with the straight 6. Throw a V8 into this ride and were home!

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  love it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By patricia s. - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a lot of my cars.. mostly foreign.... this pacifica is one of my favorites.. its so roomy and luxurious!! Get one... you wont be sorry!!

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  I GIVE IT A 10+ BEST AWD CAR IVE EVER O - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ROBERTA WITT - September 21 - 10:00 am

  THE BEST CAR DESIGN I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING. THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR THE GAS & BRAKE PEDDAL IS WONDERFUL FOR SHORT PEOPLE. LOVE THE SECOND ROW CAPTAIN CHAIRS

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  very satisfied - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By george - September 20 - 9:12 am

  I purchased the car new with a decent discount. The power steering rack had to be replaced the first week which had me very skeptical. I now can say Ive put 95,000 trouble free miles on her and still in love. Im impressed with the gas mileage and even in this day and age cant see getting into another car payment for what, 4 to 5 more miles per gallon. The styling is still impressive when all spit and polished and the chrome wheels are buffed up. I think Ill just hang on to this ole girl.