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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  I love it! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By _Jerry_ - April 17 - 2:44 am

  Bought it at 116,000 miles from a used auto place down the road for 6,000. Even thought its the lx, it was loaded. 2.7 v6, 4 disc cd changer (which I took out). I looked at some other models and this one is the only one that appealed to me. Light colored dash, cloth seats, wood grain (although semi- cheap looking) and of course 200 hp. I change the oil myself every 2500 miles with castrol gtx high mileage 5w30 and use Fram oil filters. Ive had it for a year and its now up to 153,000 miles. Today, I took off the valve cover and absolutely no oil sludge. AT ALL! Im not going to say all the 2.7s are great but I sure do know this one is! Great Car.

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  Nice Ride! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By ESA - April 16 - 4:57 pm

  Replaced my 300C with the Aspen.Definitely a better fit for a family who doesnt want to go minivan crazy! Seats adults and kids comfortably and makes its presence known on the road. Although the Aspen comes with some pretty cool standard features, only adding minor upgrades has been hard to deal with after the purchase (Nav. and entertainment system would have made this a nicer buy). Chrysler should also think about moving the body style further away from the Durango..I know as an Aspen owner I get a little peeved when people say, "oh, you went and got the Durango?" - NO! Overall, its a sweet ride.

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  Rare and beautiful - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Kenneth Hausmann - April 16 - 2:51 pm

  I have had 56 cars, and this is my favorite. Beautiful, very luxurious, faster than a Mustang, great buy at 22k with 26k miles. Gas mileage is good for this kind of performance. Great stereo, comfortable seats. handles flawlessly, quiet with the top up. This is a rare car, for every one of these there are literally 1,100 1965 and 1966 Mustangs. I have never seen another one on the road. I think these will probably become valuable later on.

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  Very satisfied - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By jim echeverria - April 16 - 11:51 am

  Bought car nov of 07. I have taken it on three trips of approx 800 miles gas mileage 34 on hwy and approx 22 city. On the highway very nice cruiser. I have no problems with the 4 cyl pickup is fine. Heater stereo excellent, seats are firm, but I like that, I commute on the thruway with three main mergers and power is fine. Great in the snow. Traded in a Saab 9.5 glad I did.

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  300 M a reliable car - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By always chrysler - April 16 - 10:24 am

  I have now had my 300M for 110,000 miles and average 23.2 miles per gallon in Connecticut winter driving. 24.4 miles during the summer. The car has been solid. I first changed the front brakes at 87,000 miles and just did the rear at 107,000. I am still waiting to do a tuneup and change the original battery. More of the belts and hoses along with a radiator were redone at 63,000 miles when I hit a deer on the highway. The car has always had a fade to the left driving on the highway and the check engine light has been on since 24,000 miles(no one can seem to fix that), but I certainly a pleased with the car. There have been no major problems with the car and it has been reliable. A good car.

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  Stay far Away - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Naomi - April 15 - 4:33 pm

  I saw this car I thought wow this is a really nice car I like this. I took it for a drive I seemed to really like the feel of the car and was really impressed with the car for the price. What a mistake. I have had nothing but trouble. I have had 4 water leaks in my car, and I dont mean little I mean about two inches of water in there. After the fourth time of this they think they have it fixed. My air conditioning has gone out twice and my blinkers blink even when they are not in use. My windshield wipers are tearing up my windshield for the third time as well. I know you are thinking oh she just got a lemon well the dealer said this is about the 15 car with the same problems.

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  love it but they wont fix it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By margie foster - April 14 - 1:57 pm

  love my car, but its been in the shop to replace a bracket on brakes, replace carpet, something to do with the driving line, transmission leaking and rear was leaking oil also. All that fixed but, Ive had rattles that I keep going back for and they say its just the road. I finally called the manager right now Im sitting at home with no car because they wont give me a rental car, not even for the previous times stated. I dropped car off at 8:30am and its almost 2:00pm and Ive talked to the manager at 12 noon and havent heard anything as of yet. So I guess I have to call Daimler Chrysler.

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  Could this be the best car ever?!!! - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Love my 300! - April 14 - 11:25 am

  First, I want to say about the review below are you kidding me! Youre 511" and had troubles in this car!!! What other CAR have you ever driven that is more comfortable for you? Im 67" and have NEVER been this comfortable in a car. I usually have to drive full-size SUVs and trucks to be comfortable. Also, loud engine? What are you comparing this car to a Rolls? My opinion this is hands-down the best car I have ever owned or driven!! Incredible interior/exterior, performance (3.5 V6), gas mileage, reliability, price and any other category you want to consider. I would have loved to be able to spring for the SRT! But this V6 is wonderful in this car (would not recommend the 2.7).

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  Aspen Limited - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Brian - April 14 - 11:15 am

  I have owned a number of Dodge/Chrysler products. I really like the Aspen. The MyGIG Nav system is great. The Hemi is strong and overall he looks are outstanding.

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  Awesome - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Mshelley - April 14 - 10:18 am

  Bought this car in 2002, have loved it since. Great ride, lots of fun. We live in NE so lots of snow and this car handles beautifully. I havent spent a lot of money on it, beyond the normal wear and tear stuff. We replaced the brakes twice, and unfortunately we had to replace all four door locks, that was a bit pricey. As far as performance nothing has gone wrong. I just bought a new car, and am still keeping this one, cant bare to part with it. Will keep it till it really dies.