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:

• 

  Dont miss out on fun with comfort - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rakrak - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I waited for a convertible that was reasonably priced, good looking, reliable. I wanted the top to move up and down easily without much air noise. This is it! I love this automobile and now everyone wants to ride in MY car. The sound system is good and I can talk in a normal voice to the front passenger when the top is down. I was amazed at the gas mileage.

• 

  super fun car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By james - September 24 - 12:18 am

  i love this car !!! i have worked in the auto industry for twenty years and i find this car to be the most fun car to drive. i would recomend this car if you want to seat four people in the car and it is roomy enough for all four to be comfortable.

• 

  Affordable Luxury! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bret - September 23 - 2:30 am

  My last car was a 98 Cirrus. 124,000 miles and never a single problem until my girlfriend totalled it. I had set out to buy a 300c, but I didnt care for its chopped shorty windshield and the boxed-in" feeling I had when seated in it. (I was really used to the cab-forward design of the Cirrus) Jerry Reneau Chrysler/Dodge in Paso Robles, California had a beautiful Magnesium Pearl Coat Sebring Limited with Leather/Suede, a Moonroof and all the bells and whistles. I test drove the Pacifica, Magnum, 300c and the Sebring just blew me away! Im 64" so interior space is a major concern for me, and I ride comfortably with plenty of legroom/headroom. I am completely satisfied with my Sebring.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By crossfire39 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is a fun car to drive and turns heads even at 7 months old. Excellent quality, if your going to buy a sports car this is the one to consider.

• 

  NEW CAR THAT IS THE FUTURE - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mike /kelli - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Was looking at other SUVs & wagons( Lexus, Volvo) and the Pacifica is the best in class. Nice styling, roomy inside. Very nice car for the first year of production. Will only get better in time. Love the seating for 6 people. Not many SUVs in this class can seat 6. Keep up the good work.

• 

  Were quite happy.... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Esparto - September 20 - 2:00 am

  We purchased a loaded AWD Satin Jade version, and couldnt be more pleased with the styling, appearance; it is a very sharp looking car (we thought the darker colors didnt really compliment the uniqueness of the exterior styling). We were primarily looking for functionality, and never having owned a minivan, I wasnt quite prepared to make a leap into one. Chrysler has answered my prayers with the Pacifica. It provides first class seating for four, PLUS an extra row! Performance wise, it is most fun going around corners; the traction is amazing. The self-leveling suspension is a real kick. For what we got, we did not find the car pricey.

• 

  This GT High Performance Turbo is HOT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By HotGT - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I am so thankful that my salesman told me about the GT. It was the only one that they had in the color I wanted and it was hidden on another lot. He took me over and I got to test drive this and I was SOLD. It is so fast and solid. I love the wheels and 17" tires...looks so good.

• 

  Nice Car - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Dan - September 19 - 4:04 pm

  Was happy with the LHS. At 100,000 miles I suddenly had several problems, sucked in intake gasket, AC coil had to be replaced, automatic climate control had to be replaced. After approx. $2000 worth of repairs it was good again until I traded it at 130,000 miles. I traded if for a like kind, 2003 Concorde Limite, what a mistake that has been!!!!! Wish I had my LHS back with its 130,000 miles!

• 

  Drop the top for exhilaration! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Terje Thomassen - September 19 - 1:02 am

  Originally purchased an 01 LXI but totaled it 13 months later when another driver ran a red light. Both air bags deployed and the unibody absorbed the impact, protecting me from any bodily injuries. I immediately purchased an 02 LXI and was happy to see that the V6 was improved with a double overhead cam. The acceleration is addicting and hitting 110 mph with the top down was a super thrill. I upgraded the tires to a high performance Yokohama AS430 and this LXI craves the curves at any speed. Drove from Texas to Georgia with two teenagers for a two week vacation and had plenty of room for all the bagage. This car was a breeze to drive for 8hrs or more at a time, plus its easy on gas.

• 

  new car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Terry - September 18 - 7:40 pm

  I said I would never buy an american car. I am glad I was wroung. I love this car, it is the best car I have ever owned. I have taken it on several road trips and it has been great.