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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  New Car with Defects - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joeywoodstock - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The car is fun to drive. Although it has it problems. Ive had it in for oil leaks twice already. The passenger window doesnt work right and the engine in unusually noisy. Im not sure the dealer is doing their job. The resale value is terrible.

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  Looks good on the outside, but... - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By varnk - November 4 - 3:03 pm

  I love the look. It definitely turns heads for its uniquness. However, there are design problems in the interior that disappointing. Horn is hard to find. Map lights on the mirror will drain the battery dry if you forget to shut them off. Only one cheesy cup holder. Creaky and flimsy plastic interior. Confusing heating/cooling control. Keyless remote has very poor range. I also have had to replace several very expensive computer sensors in addition to water pump and tensioner pully. Total cost over $800. Also has an expensive exhaust system. If it ever has a problem, the whole thing is one very expensive piece.

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  Lemon - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mitsi - October 23 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring looks good, runs badly! We moved from Georgia to Colorado and the pick-up onto the highway, or even into traffic from a stop is terrible!! I even had it looked at, at the dealer to see if the altitude was affecting the engine or it need some adjustment, they thought I was crazy. Not only that, but it just passed 55,000 miles and has been in the shop twice in the past six months! Once for overheating when something broke, and just this week for the air conditioner compressor that had BAD screws. Apparently the screws are aluminum, (very soft metal)and they wore out(?) and they compressor fell to the bottom of the car taking the serpentine belt wit

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  Looks Good, Fun at First, but just wait - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jahm - October 19 - 2:00 am

  At first I was very please with the car (got the lx with 6cyl not lxi). It was stylish and very peppy for a sedan, also handled great, even in rain or snow. But at around 25,000 miles, I found that you could take the key out while it was still in drive. Before I could take it in, I was driving and the engine locked up. Had it towed to a dealer, who asked me if I had my recipts for oil changes before they ever looked at it. Long story short, I only had a couple, and had to have engine rebuilt at 30K miles ($5k)not warrantied. Front end squeaks when you turn, and my timing belt just broke, opened engine to find completely sludged again. Found out that this engine has an oiling problem!

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  Mistake or not? - 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By unsure - October 9 - 1:16 am

  Im happy to see the positive reviews about this car but I am unhappy with the cars performance. I never thought to ask about it at the dealership or research it. This is the second one Ive owned; but honestly the 01 seemed to perform much better. Did I make a mistake??? Hopefully, my concerns will dissipate with time since less than 700 miles. Ive brought it in the service dept; naturally no signs of anything wrong...

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  Oh my goodness - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By krb21 - October 7 - 10:26 am

  I hate this car! I bought this car as a graduation gift to myself and hate it. Ive had it in the shop more than I think Ive actually driven it. I have 123,400 miles on it which is a lot but even before that Ive had the tires changed twice, the brakes make a weird noise, there is a loud rattle on the back hatch door. This car has given me problems since day one. I bought it and the next year it failed inspection because the tint was to dark. Ive never added anything extra to the car. Just need a good family car. It sucks gas! I fill up 2 times a week just from going to work, picking up my son, and going home. I wouldnt recommend this car to my worst enemy!

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  No more Chryslers - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chrysler Never Again - October 6 - 2:00 am

  New trnsmission at 80,000 miles. The top began falling apart after 2 1/2 years. The rear defrost died after 4 years. The car is taking on water in the drivers side whenever the rains are heavy. Just a poorly built car.

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  Going to lemon law It - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Topgun - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Love the car if it worked. The car has a vibration in the steering wheel they can not get fixed. The factory knows about the problem but is doing nothing. I have only driven it 200 miles in 2 months I have owned it. It has been in the shop the rest of the time! The level of concern from Chrysler is awful. They just do not care. The service manager at the dealer asked Chrysler to buy it back because it can not be fixed and they refused. It is now going to FL Lemon Law. I bought a 04 Pacifica at the same time for my wife.Never again will I buy from Chrysler! The factory just does not care at all about quality control or customer satisfaction.

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  Fun but not reliable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sparki - September 11 - 2:00 am

  The car was a lot of fun but always something breaking down. Lots of rattles and grinds. Even with warrenty, Chrysler dealerships could find nothing wrong and would have to fix it myself. Very disatisfied!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Get Ready to spend money on the Tires - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By amc42 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The tires on the Sebring are very expensive and they dont last long. I hit a pot hole and bent the rim on the car. The steering wheel does not tilt or lift up. Ive had brake problems. The car is extremely low to the ground- curb magnet. Low resale value.