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:

• 

  A great car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By john Boes - January 28 - 3:18 pm

  I bought the Sebring about 2 weeks ago and love it i have 2500 miles on it kind of high for a 2008 but i drive long distances I recently had a 300C (2005)and it had 120,000 miles when I was done with it but I will probabley put more than that on this sebring.

• 

  Lovin it! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sshbam - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my new inferno red Sebring convertible! My husband surprised me with it last week, and I am lovin it! I had driven "sensible" sedans -- and I love the look and drive of this car!

• 

  Drive as usual for l00 Miles - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300C 4 dr sedan - January 27 - 4:43 pm

  We have found at least a dozen features about this car that we do not like, 700 words is not enough to tell the entire story, a quick summary is no front seat assist handles, backs of legs rub on side of car when getting out. Daytime glare on dash instruments, buttons that operate radio, navigation etc. are not illuminated at night. Demo ride did not point out that highbeam headlights were obtained by pushing down on the lever not by lifting up the lever as with prior Chrysler cars. The feature that bothered me most however was the lack of comfortable armrests for the driver, I was spoiled by the captains chairs in my van. I was not told about the cost of the puncture proof tires either.

• 

  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By SGT Penny - January 26 - 8:39 pm

  I bought this car in Dec. 2006 as of today I have 48000 miles on it. I got this car for my wife and are 2 babies, they love it. The dvd player is great on long trips. I have had no problems with this car. One of the best on the road. To young for the mini van, already have a Yukon XL, this is much better. All the people whinning about mpg, they arent driving it right. I get anywhere between 19.2 to 24.7. It has the get up ad go if you use the auto stick, thats what it is for. Ever car has blind spots, stop being lazy and mover your head around.

• 

  BAD NEWS LEMON - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Marilyn - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Sebring LX convertible in May 02. It has been at the dealership 9 times in 4 months! If you want to drive a paint mixer this car is for you! Car shakes and vibrates so bad that the ride is awful and the fun of driving a convertible is gone. Chrysler says its NATURE OF THE BEAST! I bought a $26,000 LEMON and cant get any satisfaction from Chrysler or their reps. I will be filing a lawsuit very soon. I have CONSUMER PROTECTION & THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE OF MARYLAND helping me. I have only 1940 miles on it!

• 

  Standard - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve - January 25 - 5:30 am

  For me the jury is still out - initially a great car but I am very concerned with Chryslers poor reliability in the past. Although it is a company car and will be returned @ 60K. Forget about it could have come with this or that, if this car has just above average reliability Chrysler has hit a grand slam. Bang for the buck is awesome...

• 

  Love it but...Frustrating! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Love it but.... - January 24 - 10:23 pm

  Wanted one the minute I saw it! The day I bought it,master brake cylinder out in busy traffic, didnt get hit!Told by my son-in-law NOT to buy one because of the hood design,little space available to work in.Didnt listen! First:1/2 shaft replaced,front brakes next,Nov.08.Then it began over- heating,June 2009,tried everything possible to fix.Ok now,dont know WHY OR how?Motor mounts broke,and shook bolts loose on everything,starter quit but found out the bolts were loose on it.Running after 3 week search but engine light wont go off or stop blinking.Detected #2 plug misfiring,changed wires/plugs & 2 batteries.Always had chassis noises.Fan cover hits fan, rubber stays broken,cant find any

• 

  I love It.. Drives like hgh end auto - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By e. hough - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a vehicle that was an suv that I didnt need a ladder to get in. Drove a lot of the 2004 models, They all had the suv dumpy ride on the passenger side and back seats with the exception of the Acura and Cadillac. Lexus is far too small for more than 2 passengers until you go to their very high priced model, found that with most I tried. I didnt need or want all the bells and whistles except safety features i.e. air bags. The Pacifica Touring 2005 is perfect for me.

• 

  Happy camper - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By arrow sun - January 23 - 10:00 am

  we are very happy.

• 

  good stuff - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By frank Harper - January 23 - 10:00 am

  great car...Have no complaints. Im a traveling salesmen and this car provided me with everything I was looking for... performance, styling and safety... no complaints here, I love it!