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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  Please save your money or be a mechanic - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By ItsGabrielle - July 27 - 9:04 pm

  I got this car 3 weeks ago. The price was GREAT but I didnt get it from a dealership as big as Chrysler. We drove it out of town for a family reunion about 2 hours away, the gas mileage was great. BUT the uconnect call system is faulty. I can sit in my living room and the car will pick the call up and when I try to jump into the car to talk I see that its on mute, but there is no mute button in the car to unmute it. It has only been 3 weeks and the car shakes when I slow down everywhere! I hear that they have small rotors that need to be replaced. I havent made my first payment yet, I get off from work today and my gear is stuck in Park. There is no simple fix. The part is $200

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  Major error - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By al wells - July 25 - 4:18 pm

  Out or replaced. air 2-hood shield 2- headlight seal-window motors 3-trunk release-clock-door trim-door panels- dash split-wheel well rust-door locks- transmission lines-horns-heater/ac controls and ALL lights flashing on/off while moving or parked.

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  Hard to say - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By nickk - July 21 - 8:13 pm

  Bought this car used and within the first couple of months I had to be towed twice and then a third time a few months later. Went through 3 transmissions! Power steering pump seized, had to replace rack and pinion, front axle, numerous evap stuff. But I still like it. When it works. Looks great even 7 years later people think its new. Interior is nice, but my tint keeps peeling and bubbling, climate display in blank so I cant tell whats on or off. Great gas millage for how big it is. Good handling as well. Its really hard to say if this car is worth it or not, Im really frustrated with it but Im also having a hard time getting ride of it and finding something similar that I want

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  Love my car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By BARBARA - July 15 - 1:37 pm

  Had this car for 8 years and it now has 158,000 miles. Ran fine until now. I guess its because of old age/mileage. Now Im having problems with antifreeze leaking and sometime overheating. I replaced the water pump and thermostat and thermostat housing. All this in a years time. Still having overheating and antifreeze leaking issues. I hope it can be fixed but it is now starting to nickle and dime me. I guess I cant complain since it never gave me a problem until 2007. But hey, look at my mileage. I love this car and enjoyed it. I just hate to part with it.

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  Time 2 Trade It In! Already? - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By TLew - July 14 - 9:57 am

  When I brought the car in November 2009 I loved it!! A few months later, Ive run out of gas @ least 5 times w/ the gas tank showing 1/4 of a tank! Ive replaced 2 fuel pumps & Don Jackson Chrysler Jeep still doesnt know whats wrong with it! The gear shaft has gotten stuck in Park, so I had to replace that! The car had major electrical problems. Ive replaced the "Hood Switch" which makes the car think that the hood is open, according to Don Jackson. The eps & traction light continues 2 come on, & the dealership still doesnt know whats wrong with it. The radio sounds muffled & the lighter doesnt work, after changing the fuses twice!! I still like the car, I just hate the dealership!

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Vballer1 - July 7 - 11:50 am

  Ive had my 300 since it had 2500 miles on it, it now has 55,000 and Ive never had an issue with it. The only expense Ive had is oil changes and tires. Its not as nice as a BMW, Mercedes etc. but you will not have to pay for costly repairs. Again, is not as smooth a ride as other luxury vehicles or as nice, but not having the head aches make it worth buying.

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  Love Our Car! - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AccordingtoHez - June 25 - 4:32 pm

  Bought this 6-passenger car because as a family of 4, its not too big, but theres room to grow (and carpool in the meantime). We have LOVED it! Definitely an upgrade from our economy car before -) If youre looking for a car thats just the right size with lots of amenities, give the car a look. *Disclaimer: Have only owned a few months, so I cannot attest to long-term reliability, but we are not worried about it ourselves.

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  Im so disappointed in Chrysler - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By OcalaJo - June 24 - 7:40 pm

  Ive only owned Chrysler products (30+ yrs.) this is my last. The car is beautiful (after 7.5 yrs., the exterior is almost as beautiful as new, roomy, handles great, feels solid, the stereo is fantastic. Its a great ride--when its working properly. But, the car spends so much time with my mechanic, I feel like its cheating on me! Right after warranty expired, so did the transmission, and its been one thing after another since! Ive never had so many things go wrong with one car--and Ive owned two others for 10+ years each! Im really sad to be looking at other manufacturers vehicles now.

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  Gas sipper - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mike - June 21 - 1:27 pm

  Have had this car (LX Convertible 2.4 L 4 cyl) for 3 months. Gas mileage is unbelievable for a vehicle this heavy. Maybe a little under-powered acceleration isnt the best, but once Im on the open road on a long highway trip, if I set the cruise around 67 mph, I can count on getting 32 mpg or more...Ive been as high as 36.5 mpg. I traded my 2002 Sebring Convertible GTC (2.7 L, 6 cyl) in for this one -- the GTC was a lot lower to the ground and more stable, a little more sporty, the LX handles more like a sedan. Its a little top- heavy. Still a cool car though.

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  When it starts to break run away! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Zengo - June 21 - 8:56 am

  I got the car with 45,000 km paid probably more than it should have, I traded my sebring for the 300M. First year no major problems, than it started. The front suspension started braking. I had to replace many times over the front end such as: Stabilizer bars, link-bars (upper-lower) bars, brakes etc. Parts were expensive like Mercedes or some foreign car (no wonder they are going-under). Too many electrical issues lights flashing, engine light. The sad part is, I actually liked the car and did regular maintenance. Stay away when it starts showing problems Sell fast! I had too many problems (spent over $10000.00 in repairs since 2005).