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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  an ugly old thing, but we love her - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Megan - February 9 - 5:09 pm

  Big, clunky, boat-like: these are all adjectives I could use to describe our 94 LHS. Fuel economy is lacking. The paint is peeling on the trim surrounding the car. The rims look terrible. As others have mentioned, A/C is GONE. Blows hot no matter what temp--luckily we live in Washington state and dont really need an A/C. Other than these few issues (easily dealt w/ b/c we only paid $1200 for her in 06), we have got a sturdy, long-lasting, comfortable family car. Were driving it until it dies, and saving plenty of money for a replacement in the meantime. Weve replaced the brakes, tires, and done regular maintenance. $1200/48 months=$25/month. FYI: car = no more than 20% income.

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  First family car - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By EZG0_N - February 5 - 5:39 pm

  I bought the car new in 2000 and have loved driving it! It now has 143K miles on it. Love the styling, performance and ride. I can get 3 car seats in back with enough (carefully packed) in the trunk for a short weekend trip. The HVAC has never works properly. There have been some problems with the dashboard blinking, radiator, driver’s window, headlamps foggy, dashboard cracked, rims leak – badly - and now some minor electrical and transmission problems. Otherwise the car is still sound, very minor rust on the door bottoms and acid rain spots. It’s going to be sad to trade it in once the 4th child arrives.

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  At Last - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chinatown - February 4 - 9:11 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in 2006. It had 28,000 miles and now 56,000. There have been a few issues, but all were covered by the extended warranty I purchased from the C.U. where I secured the financing. I am 62 years old. This is the 1st car that I have owned where you actually look forward to a lengthy trip. The ride and seating are simply incredible. You will feel as fresh when it begins as when you arrive at your destination. Maybe it is the Mercedes platform and engineering. Bottom line, I will stack it up to any other crossover. It will win, hands down.

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  timing chain - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By browniegirl - January 31 - 12:06 am

  Make sure you get all of your oil changes every 3000 miles. We did not know at the time of purchase that this particular engine has an internal timing chain, in the engine. They wanted to replace our engine with the 3.0L because the 2.7L has such a bad problem with this. We had to have the engine rebuilt and it was almost impossible to get parts for the timing chain assembly. Stick with a car that has a timing belt. Dont buy one with the timing chain in the engine, it only leads to a more expensive repair.

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  Resale value a joke!! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Convertible Lover - January 23 - 7:23 pm

  I love the look of my convertible Sebring. It was in the shop more the first 6 months than I was able to drive it. I had to have the passenger seat replaced because the plastic handle at the top kept breaking the cable in the seat and they couldnt get it fixed without replacing it. Now the driver side plastic handle is broke and needs repaired. The only thing that really bugs me about the car is it isnt worth half of what I paid for it. I cant even trade it in if I wanted too without being upside down. I dont see me buying another Chrysler product. The one really good thing is the looks you get when driving it.

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  Really Great. Sebring Haters are Crazy - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By shrambo - January 22 - 8:56 pm

  I got the car last year. Its my first car, and so far its been great. It is 11 years old and still runs great. It gives you the illusion of a sports car and has decent performance. I raced a Jeep Grand Cherokee and smoked it. Its a little long (thats what she said) but I guess thats good because that means its safer. My Sebring was in excellent condition until my stepdad backed into it and a ran into a minivan (two different accidents). But even through all that it runs fine. However, the passenger door is now jammed shut from the minivan.. The trunk doesnt stay up. The keys can be taken out while the engines running. not sure if thats normal..

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  You get your moneys worth. - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Mike Pastore - January 22 - 12:14 pm

  Purchased car new in 2003, and now have 55,000 miles on the odometer. Car still has original brakes, tires and battery. This van has been problem free from day one. Easy to park and drive in the city, and on the highway you can lock the cruise control on 70 MPH, and the van rsponds effortlessly. There is very little wind or engine noise. Gets about 22 MPG on average. Its amazing how much stuff you can haul when you remove the 3rd row seat.

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  Franky Z. - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Franky Z. - January 22 - 11:43 am

  i just purchased this car and i am for the most happy i did.I have only had it for afew days,but i am concerned about the weather stripping.Can anyone let me know how much it might cost to replace it on all four doors?

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  Buy New - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Renee - January 20 - 2:51 pm

  We bought a certified used car. It has had more problems then my 2001 Honda, and needed a new battery before the Honda. It is nice to have the seat warmers, DVD for the kids, but not sure the trade-off of having to take it to the dealership at least 2x a year is worth it.

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  LOVED OUR PACIFICA - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Liz - January 19 - 11:53 am

  Weve had our car for 38 months. Have had nothing go wrong with it. Our lease is over next month and we wanted to buy a new one but found out they are no longer being made.