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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  THE 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By hubstar - December 27 - 5:06 pm

  purchased DEC06..in 08 I was driving to GA frm SD,Cali..I got to TX the car went crazy..the lights started blinking,windshield wipers went crazy they even threw themselves off track,got stuck to the right..car turned off..99 degrees n/tx w/ my fam in the car..I had some fuses in my emer. kit..found of about 4-5 of them blew out..changed the 1s that I could ie..fuel pump and a few others..tranny went into limp mode..drove to ga like that..had it shipd back to cali frm ga...total to fix 6.5k...in oct tranny blew..1.5k..DEC11 engine blew 3.7k..rental car total 1.4k..tow from ga 1.2k..total for everthing 14.3k...I owe 12.4k on the loan...kids missing Christmas Priceless!Thx Chrysler!

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  wonderful car - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By pofed - December 22 - 3:26 pm

  The 300 limited is a beautiful well built machine. everything about it is great. I traded in a 2002 chrysler and had great performance from it,I hope i have as much fun and relibility from this one.and im sure I will..Love it

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  Lovemy300LTD - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By lovemy300 - December 12 - 3:55 pm

  I bought my 2011 300 Limited in August, 2011, and so far I love the car. I have the Tungsten grey with panaramic roof, 20" upgraded wheels, and its a head turner. I have just over 3k miles on it so far and have been averaging around 20 to 21 in mostly city driving. I drove Honda/Acuras for 20+ years and I think the options on this car for the price couldnt be beat. I recently rented a Cadillac DTS while on vacation and think my 300s ride is much better than the Caddy and the 300s interior has better quality interior materials. Overall, the 300 feels richer than the Cadillac (IMO). I love my 300 and am looking forward to my first road trip in it this Christmas.

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  GREAT CAR BAD GAS MILEAGE - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lshobird - December 12 - 10:01 am

  This is a great car for a big fam.. but beware of very bad gas mileage!!!

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  2004 Chrysler Sebring 3.0L Coupe - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By rauchm404 - December 9 - 6:59 pm

  I love love love this car!!! Ive been reading the reviews and i dont see the issues people are having. From going from a 1996 nissan "it was a peice of *beep*" I feel like im driving a lexus. For those who are less fortunate and cant afford high end cars this is the way to go! Ive had no problems and have 70,000miles on it. The only things ive had to do is oil changes,fluid top offs, ect. The normally things a car needs!

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  Amazing Ride - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By kasmic253 - December 8 - 3:04 am

  I just bought a 2000 Concorde LXi for $3000 in Augest and im proud to say that this is an amazing yet huge car! I put 4 new Michelin tires on it but my father got the darkest window tints on it and I can barely see backing up at night...oh well. Id like to get a backup camera installed just for this reason. Fully loaded with practically everything reasonable. Sunroof, 4 disk cd changer, etc. Only probs are that the ride side of the cup holder is broke is annoying but looks funny and some of the paint is scratched because I brought from a concrete contracter guy and the passenenger window doesnt roll down but I am fixing it here soon. Amazing 3.2L DO NOT GET THE 2.7 OR YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!

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  Chrysler 300 2011 - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By vol9 - December 7 - 7:56 pm

  Purchased this car new August 7, 2011 and on Nov. 14, 2011 the transmission went out with 5800 miles. This is Dec. 7, 2011 and I am still waiting on a new transmission. It seems that Chrysler does not stock this transmission and you have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it. The dates of delivery that the dealer gets are not accurate and as the owner I cannot talk to anyone with Chrysler that knows any thing about when the parts will arrive. We love the car, the ride is like air, has plenty of room, got 28.5 mph on the last road trip.

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  Never waste your money on this car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By jazzielola - December 3 - 7:55 pm

  99 Chrysler sebring convertible never waste your money or time on this car, I bought this car with 150K miles October of 2010 and paid 5200$. Came December 2010 it needed freez plugs however when they took the motor out the mounts were so bad they fell apart(total cost 1900$). From January 2011 until December 2011 I have replaced brakes(more than once), timing belt, water pump, starter, battery(more than once), altinator, crankshaft sensor, coil pack, and rollers. Total cost for repairs and labor more than 3200$ I would NEVER get this car again nor recommend it to any one if you see a 99 Chrysler Sebring Convertible on a car lot run the other way. The only pro of this car is the body.

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  Dont buy a Chrysler especially the 2.7 engine - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By chryslersuck1 - November 25 - 12:49 pm

  I bought this car new in 2006. The body style was the main reason for my purchase. I take very good care of my cars. I serviced this car regularly with oil changes every 3-6,000 miles even though the owners manual say to do so every 7,500 miles. The 2.7 engine blew at 89,000 miles and now I have to go buy a new car. It wont be a chrysler! Other problems I had with this car was the transmission. It seems that is a standard for Chrysler.

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  Nice Car when not in Shop - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By ck124 - November 20 - 2:33 pm

  Bought this car 4/09 had 42500 miles. It now has 67000 miles. Thought low mileage car would be good. Too many problems to count but I will list the major ones. Engine light comes on over the time I have had it. Cost 1000.00 at dealers. Leak in trunk. Evaporator replaced cost 1000.00. Water pump went out 1200.00. Problems with the brakes 1000.00. Car is in shop now. Not very reliable. I only drive 10000 miles per year. I am very easy on a car. I will not buy another Chrysler. I will get a toyota or honda.