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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  Its been a love/hate relationship : ) - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jesse Jane - February 5 - 5:16 pm

  Purchased with 29,000 miles - at 92,000 had to replace my engine. Although I had done oil changes regularly the engine was caked with gunk! I still owed...so I replaced it and am using premium gas and better quality oil. So far with the refurbished engine Ive put 72,000 miles on it. Other than the car just up and dying on me the one time, its been extremely reliable, starts great, still runs smooth and has been roomy enough to accommodate my growing children. The paint job still shines. When Im ready to purchase another car I will consider a Chrysler again, with a different engine.

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  New Owner - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By robert - January 27 - 7:09 pm

  Just bought this about 3 weeks ago and my wife and I love it. Looking at all the reviews made me hesitant at first but once I drove it, WOW!. So far so good. Super quiet ride, great sound system, love the interior lighting! My only complaint is that I havent owned this sooner.

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  Love My Sebring!!! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By CindiT - January 24 - 1:06 pm

  This is my second Sebring Convertible. I had a 06 Touring Cloth top and upgraded to 08 Hard-top Sebring Limited. My husband and I love to lower the top and head out on pretty days. Our kids are grown and this is Moms car. I have the I-connect system for hands-free talking. Great economy on fuel and retractable hard-top is so easy to use. Great looking car inside and out. Trunk is spacious, but there is still room to pack dufflebags/carry- ons to travel. I get lots of compliments on the look of the car with and without the top down. I love the fact I can download my CDs to the music system 20g hardrive and not worry about storing them in the car. Just pull up the Jukebox and pick your music.

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  Keeps me happy and with a smile! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By George - January 23 - 6:47 pm

  Theres no better convertible for the price anywhere. Anyone who complains about this car is nuts, unless they have had mechanical troubles Convertbles are not for those who want to live inside a bubble, and if one wants all the comforts of home, they should remain in their living room! When the top is down who cares about the dashboard or the plastic trim? And, if the car were to get wet inside somehow, as all do in time, isnt it better to have things the way this car does? In the winter it holds the road, and its trunk is huge when the top is up. Nowadays everyone is spoiled. Be real,I remember when convertibles were bare bones w/ the metal frame exposed under the top.

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  Great car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By G Barbo - January 17 - 1:21 pm

  Purchased this car brand new. Car has not been repair free but is any car with 255000 plus miles. This car had two transmission replacements but I believe that was the fault of the first driver. I drove the car from 63000 miles to the present 255000 plus on the same transmission. I also had the rear main seal replaced once. It is in need of it again. There were some recall notices on the front ball joints. Other than those major items I had no complaints with this car. At 255000 miles I still get 27 miles to the gallon and as high as 32 on the original engine. This car is very well built, I loved the solidness that you could feel when driving this car.

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  happy BUT..... - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sara - January 14 - 6:58 pm

  I bought this car used from Car Maxx and it started out pretty good. Had to replace the brakes, etc. and then the gear shift mechanism just snapped leaving me stranded. Now I seem to have a wiring issue so I have no power outlets and they cant find the problem. Now I have to replace the pulleys for the serpentine belt. I really like the car, its fun, great looking, great air, good stereo system and is comfortable to drive anywhere. Just unusual things go wrong and I didnt purchase an extended warranty due to financial issues at the time. Next time I will and I would buy this car again. My mom owns a 2008 Sebring.

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  Good Car For The Price - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Patrick - January 12 - 7:04 pm

  All I can say is, "So far, so good!" I purchased my Sebring used with about 69,000 miles on it and I can say that I have had no problems with it. Shifts well, great gas mileage (I have actually calculated it consistently at 32 mpg on the highway), and very sporty styling. The 4 cylinder does feel a little underpowered... I wish I had the six after driving for awhile. I would sacrifice some fuel economy for a little more horsepower. Not a lot of fluff. If you need a large passenger compartment, but want some fuel economy this is a good car to consider. Im happy with it overall.

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  Great car, going to miss it - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BV - January 10 - 4:09 pm

  This car saved my wife and daughter in a high speed side impact. Our 2007 was a nice vehicle, rode great and we put over 60,000 miles on it between early 2007 and Jan. 4th 2010. We have 3 kids and with a roof bag, we vacationed and drove in style and comfort all over. Problems were limited to a few warning lights which the dealer promptly fixed. We liked the way it drove and the space. The look was "spot-on" for us too. Power was good, fuel economy was fine but not great, and shifting was a little odd sometimes but not bothersome (some people over-react to that). We were so impressed by its safety and features - we bought another 2007 Limited used one to replace it.

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  AWESOME!!!!!! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Scott - January 9 - 5:19 pm

  I have had this car now for 6 years and still going strong at 255,000 MILES. Other than routine maintenance I have never had much trouble with it. After 3 deer and a chevy pickup and 255,000 miles still going strong!! I am looking for another one with lower miles prefer another silver one but would consider other than gold.

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  Best car Ive ever owned (had many). - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Meyetch - January 9 - 10:24 am

  I bought this Sebring from a dealer as a "Program Car" with 18K miles on it and used it to cover a 9-State sales territory as a consultant until I retired from that a few years ago hence the high miles. It is currently garaged and seldom driven. Ive had zero problems from this car and intend to keep it forever.