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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  Great Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hemi Heavy - July 22 - 9:02 am

  Purchased my 300c Used with 72,000 miles. It looks and drives like a brand new car. No clunky noises, squeaks or groans. Even who rides in it thinks its a brand new car. The ride beats and 5-Series BMW out there. Very happy with this purchase. I would recommend driving this before committing to a higher priced "luxury" car.

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  My Sebring Experience... - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joshua - July 21 - 12:47 pm

  I got this car for my 16th birthday, it was pretty cheap and looked ok, i took it to the shop for the mechanic to check it out and it was ok. Then I learned that it leaks, A LOT when there are hard rains. It soaks into the floor board and starts smelling god awful. Also this shorted out my passenger side speaker. I drives ok. But now Im 18 and look for something that will not shake when I start it. I would seriously think before buying another convertible.

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  Nice! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By PAR - July 21 - 10:13 am

  Overall a fantastic touring vehicle with all the amenities one could ask for! Very comfortable, safe and also powerful when necessary. I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone who loves to travel in comfort. If anything, definitely get these 2 options offered..(U-connect, Protection group), these 2 options seemed to make the 300C an effortless luxury. And the MP3 capable CD player was also a huge plus!

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  Cant beat this car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Danz76 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This care gets nonstop complimets. Ive had friends (and more importantly, members of the opposite sex) tell me they how much they like this car, more than even the lofty BMW 325i!! A real value, fun to drive, and some very unexpected high grade features that uou wouldnt expect in this price range.

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  Buyer beware!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Arnis Pocs - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I actually have an older model and it blows. Once it hit the 36,000 mile mark it fell apart. Ive had two transmisions in 1 and 1/2 years put in. Everything theyve fixed has to get redone within 13 months. 2 transmisions, 3 CV jonts, 4 batteries, 3 lateral arms,5 cd players, the front and rear brakes were done and both had to be replaced in 10 months. I tried to contact Chrysler and they tell me I should have had the work done at a dealer. I DID!!! They will not stand behind their work. Ive talked to a few mechanics and other Sebring owners and aparently the transmision is a common problem with this car. Ill never buy a Chrysler again.

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  my pt at 8.5k miles - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tmzsr - July 21 - 10:00 am

  At 8.5k I have been please, but disappointed in economy. Ride is good and firm, turn radius a bit wide. It could use some power, once it shifts from low, second is weak moving comfortably in multi-lane traffic over 35 mph without full throttle downshift. Seats are firm, storage is good, take out rears are great, CD radio is nice, but speakers are weak. Exterior emblems have rough edges and snag most cleaning and polishing materials; bumper finish too rough (catches polish no matter how hard you try to prevent it).

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  2003 Concorde LXi - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By John - July 21 - 9:21 am

  Bought new, used as a sales vehicle, and kept it as the family sedan. Great ride and plenty of room makes it excellent for long road trips. Replaced wheel bearing under warranty, transmission cooler leak at 46K, new catalytic converter at 80K, other than that, rock-solid reliable. This car is a pleasure to drive and own

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  A great cheap car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mark T - July 20 - 11:02 pm

  Still have my 2002 Sebring, 180,000 mi, runs great! Was somewhat afraid to buy this car after reading reviews, but in Real World Driving ( I have to pay for it, put the gas in it, and Not get speeding tickets) I went ahead and am definitely more than pleased. Great mileage (ave. 32 mpg, mostly hwy driving) lots of room for large people, great power seats, and everybody loves the looks. As for the interior, yes its a bit hard in spots, but in my experience Ive found that in the long term, Chrysler interiors hold up very well. The four cylinder has adequate acceleration, and is dead quit on the highway. I think for the price you cant beat this car.

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  The Beauty of the Special - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By CoolRunning - July 20 - 11:27 am

  I traded my 1999 300M for my 2003 300M Special and never regretted it. Both are fine cars, but the Special was spectacular in comparison. It had larger wheels, better suspension, better looks, two tone interior and I feel like it even performed better. Both cars were equipped with a full load of features like the sun roof, CD changer, premium sound system and full leather interior, heated and full power.

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  Very good overall car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By apinkiez - July 20 - 1:06 am

  Styling inside and out. Roomy, especially with the removable rear seats. Upright seating position. So far it has been quite reliable.