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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  love my 300c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By richard watson - August 4 - 3:13 pm

  in the nine months that i have owned it i have had no problems except for trying to learn how to operate all the gadgets and dodads,the only thing i might complain about is mph and i knew mhat i 3was getting when i bough it

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  Gas Mileage - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kiddles - August 3 - 6:25 pm

  I recently bought a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica under the impression from the dealers information that around town, the car gets 17 mpg and 22 on highway. I found by tracking that Im only getting 13-14 mpg. When I questioned the dealer, they said it was a rough estimate. To me, 15-16 would be a rough estimate.

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  250,000 miles - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By R Villarreal - August 3 - 1:16 am

  I bought mine with over 200,000 and it now has over 250,000 miles. It still runs great but I needed to replace some parts. Water pump, fuel pump, radiator, thermostat, and tires. Engine, transmission, and body are still in great shape, but crossing my fingers. Brought it for $1,000.00. Best car I ever brought for the money. Previous owner took very good care of it.

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  My 300M - 248,849 miles same eng and trns. - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Ray K - July 31 - 10:20 am

  I have put 248,849 miles on my 300M, still has the original engine and transmission. I have to say I did keep up with the oil changes, most of my driving was highway driving for about 100 per day. The 300M has served me well. The problems I have had with the car was that all 4 of the automatic door locks needed to be replaced, warranty handled the cost of 2 and I footed the cost for the other 2. I even tried to get them to replace the last 2 before the door locks failed and the warranty ran out but no luck. Also the air-conditioner required about 1,000 dollars of work to get fix after 7 years. If those items didnt go wrong I may have gotten another. Surprise, but Im driving a Prius now.

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  Fun but not worth the trouble - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bob D - July 30 - 12:00 pm

  After reading other reviews it has become apparent to me that my experience with the Sebring is somewhat typical. In general, lots of things need tweaking and repairs are costly and frequent. 125k miles - replaced/repaired - panel cluster - many radio components - brakes through and through - fan assembly - soon to replace the rubbers that seat the spark plug tubes (rough idle - arcing) gotta remove the engine cover... we all know what that can cost. Lots of rust spots on the way. When I buy a used car the next time I will consult Edmunds first. Sebring - not again, but the car still remains a head turner. Too much invested to sell but worried what will go next.

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  bought this car cheap - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tony - July 29 - 7:59 am

  I bought this 2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 56,000 miles @$6500.00. I wont say as this car hasnt proven reliability but it is a decent car. For the price I paid for the car as I am going to use it to drive back and forth to college should do ok. The car shimmys at 45 mph and i just put on new tires, done a 4 wheel alignment. My recommendations since Chrysler has had a reputation (bad) for the 2.7 liter v6 is to use full synthetic oil. This is my first convertible ever and I do like driving with the top down.

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  Muscle with Luxury - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Mr. V. - July 28 - 7:17 pm

  I have to admit, going from a highpower two seater to this monster was quite a shock. I really enjoy getting out of a vehicle unwrinkled. I have an incredible amount of raw horsepower under the hood. I mean those fancy two seat cars are fun but no real dignity or comfort climbing in and out of one. The SRT8 not only has comfort and ease of handling but an incredible amount of space in the interior. Way to old these days to entertain in the back seat but this baby could hold an entire salesman convention party. Were talking more room in the front seat of the 300 than a Range Rover front seat.

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  so far - good car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By scobb - July 27 - 11:22 am

  I have truly fallen for my sebring. Never had been a fan before having only experienced the convertibles in the past. It drives so smooth and has decent pick up. The look is sharp and it is very comfortable. I do feel it is "simple" in the interior department - not many bells and whistles. Having said all of this, I did not pay full price for it either. I was able to get it for under $14k during the cash for clunkers/double rebate from Chrysler. I do not know if I would have paid $20k for it. Only time will tell.

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  300 touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By outwest - July 27 - 12:09 am

  I was looking for a used car that was as good as a 04 Dodge ram diesel, in power mpg, I didnt want another repeat of the durango, then we had the p t cruiser, that tin box would be o k, if we stayed in the city, but on the road I did not like the risk, first I was surprised about this design on the 05 300, then I looked up the specs, better economy/power then the p t we had, and a real car, for a change, we installed yakohama h rated 215/65/17 tires and it is important to note the h rating, for the pure fact the car handles very well with these tires we bought the extended warranty , 23.6 mpg, however I was not driving with a steady foot, finally a real car true road car ,

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  My 300 T - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CHRYSLERS 300 - July 24 - 1:54 pm

  This car is one of best I every had, If not the best. No new parts or trouble just a set of tires in three years. Fun to drive and good mileage.