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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  Babbas Chick Getter - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Babba - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Move cd changer to dash How about a 5-speed auto

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  My Sebring - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gloria Johnson - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sebring Convertible. I have really enjoyed owning one. Theyre sleek, stylish and always gets attention. The maintance has been very low.

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  Chrysler Sebring Convertible! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By snidder - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Sebring for a year, and I love it as much as I did the very first day I drove it home.

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  Daydream Come True - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By heather garson - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I find this vehicle to be extremely pleasing to the eye. Deep red accented with black trimmings-black convertable top. It really catches the eye. People on the street and at stop lights always telling me "nice car". Runs beautifully. Extremely easy convertable top. Leather interior and cd player--my daughter thought she was a princess, and me a queen for a good six months after we bought it, while driving. My first "new" car--it was the car I had always wanted.

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  the comfort zone.... - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By dottie - July 24 - 2:00 am

  i was hesitating, at first, but after I took the inital test drive I was sold...it handles well and is fun to drive....

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  sebring - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By gavinl2003nj - July 24 - 2:00 am

  excellent. no improvements needed in this top of the line convertible. excellent thats all there is to say. #1 chrysler product

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  Love it - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By David Lewis - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I loved driving that car. Easily the best value for the dollar. Had all kinds of compliments from strangers. Too bad it was stolen

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  Sebring Convert. - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By drva sebring - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Owned vehicle 4 months. Not a blemish or a mechanical problem yet. I think Chrysler may have finally got their act together

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  More fun than a Mercedes - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By JohnnieA - July 24 - 2:00 am

  The Chrysler sebring convertible that replaced my E320 is more fun to drive and I feel actually handles better than any of my previous 3 Mercedes. It also less expensive to run.

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  Sebring Convertable Review - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chas. Wells - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Rides well - handles well and gets good mileage. Has been reliable in the five months we have had it.