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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  MY SRT-6 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By William - October 24 - 8:53 pm

  This is an awesome automobile. Great looks and quicker than lightning. I give the interior design a 9 due to having only a single cup holder. A manual transmission and a little more chrome would be nice. On the whole, an impressive piece of work. I have not been disappointed.

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  perfect!!! - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By biggie - October 24 - 5:37 pm

  This car is simply perfect!!! I have had it for a year now. I have the 2.0l 4cyl. engine with a 5sp. This car is comfortable, looks great, completely reliable, great gas mileage, and fun to drive!!!

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  Awesome! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Stephen - October 24 - 3:46 pm

  If you grew up in the 60s as I did then this is the ultimate driving machine. The SRT8 is truly a new age muscle car. Recent trip from Columbia, SC to Lewisville, IN 1404 mile round trip. The SRT8 was great, handling through the turns couldnt be better, and the power is fantastic. Averaged 20 mpg. Not bad for this much horse power. Purchased a 2005 Chrysler 300C last June the 340 hp was okay, but the SRT8 425 is awesome!

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  Used 2002 PT Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rebekah021 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I was always against getting a cruiser. When looking for a new car, I was not gonna get a cruiser. I needed a car that I can carry 2 large dog crates or 3 child seats when I pick up my boyfriends cousins from the daycare. I thought this car was too small and looks like a hearse. There is incredible space in the cruiser. The best part is that it doesnt take but maybe a min. to cool down a hot car. My boyfriend drove it and now wants to trade in his car for one as well. Its an awesome car and Id recommend it to everyone.

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  Problems - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By hyde - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Really like the car .We have several unresolved issues.The A/C leaks on the passenger side while driving.This causes the floorboard to get soaking wet.The lock on the trunk fell apart. I am waiting on my third appointment. If this doe not fix I will start my lemon law protection. The car handles nicely at high speeds. I just returned from a 1,700 mile trip and the car was adequate other than th water on the floor which I placed a roll of paper towels to soak up every few hours.

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  Good but The M was a better car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By SteveQ - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Why is everybody so in love with the rear wheel drive on this car?? The FWD 2004 300M handles better and has more punch with the 3.5L (guessing there is power loss thru the longer drive line and transmission). The 5.7 hemi scares me given that it had to be made into a multi-displacement (cylinders cut in/out per computer) engine to achieve EPA MPG requirements in a passenger car. To equip equivalent to the 300M, you have to go all the way to the C model for $36K and you end up with the hemi automatically. Looks cool but think the M is/was much more car for the money! Buy a used M while you still can for 19K, wait them to prove the hemis performance

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  Sebring Convertible Ottawa Ont - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim Carman - October 20 - 4:55 pm

  I have owned a 2005 Sebring Limited Convertible for almost 3 years now and the vehicle has around 41,000 kms on it. I do not have anything negative to say about this car. I have driven it in all types of weather including some very heavy rural snow conditions and it perfomed very well. I found that servcing at the dealer was somewhat expensive and that they were not necessarily doing all the reqd maintenance, so I am no longer taking it there.

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  Chrysler 300 Touring Delivers - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 05 Chryslr 300 Owner - October 19 - 3:03 pm

  I just drove my new 300 Touring from FL to NC and back. It was a great test of a very comfortable road car. I was doing "above" the speed limit and got 23 mpg. Everywhere (I mean EVERYWHERE) I stopped, somebody would comment on what a beautiful car it is. Some wanted to know all about it in detail! I bought the Satin Jade, and it really is gorgeous. I traded in my 99 300 M for this car, and theres no comparison. That was a very nicely built, sporty little car. This is a big floating long distance car. Absolutley no fatigue after 725 miles and 11 straight hours on I-95!

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  Bad - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By gm3 - October 18 - 8:13 pm

  V4 base model. Too much engine noise on local, and wind noise on highway. Bad fuel economy. Bad goverment EPA pollution score.

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  2001 LXI COUPE - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By MARC LOSITO - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A 2DR LXI COUPE, V6, 5 SPD. IT HAS ENOUGH GET UP AND GO FOR THE FAMILY MAN BUT ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE FAMILY. AND ON THE OPEN ROAD IT HAS EXCELLENT ACCELERATION AND POWER. INTERIOR FEATURES AND ERGONOMICS ARE EXCELLENT. COMFORT IS A MUST AND WITH THE 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING YOULL GET IT