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:

• 

  Best & best looking convertible in class - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By ALLISON - February 18 - 6:36 pm

  This is the 3rd Chrysler convertible I have purchased (all in a row). They just get better. For the money, the Sebring convertible Limited is the only convertible that has a luxury feel (elegant and sleek, V6 w/ nice handling) and has a real back seat and trunk.

• 

  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By C. E. Beehler - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Have owned many cars and SUVs...so far its a great vehicle. Only have 6,000 mi. including a 2,000 mi trip.Car has too many good features to list them all, (for the money)..........

• 

  Happy Times - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By adamsue - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Had to work hard to get price down but worth it. Great and worth it!

• 

  Sebring - best conceived of all - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By genghisaha - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had Chrysler Convertibles since the first one in 1981 (a Lee Iacocca K- Car rattletrap). Each model got progressively better, borrowing from the lessons learned from the Mitsubishi partnership. Although my favorite was the 1987 (people would stop me on the street!) this one is the best performing and best conceived of all. New hot convertibles forget about the family - they are two seaters and are good as "third" cars. The Sebring takes performance and merges it with family fun, but doesnt forget to look great when you are without the family, too.

• 

  The car that started it all - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Charlies Dad - February 17 - 5:25 pm

  Before the Sebring Convertible, the Sebring Coupe set the standard for car design in the 90s. This car has been a great car, reliable, beautiful, and high-quality. It handles beautifully, cruises smoothly, and when I first got it, people asked if it was the new version of the Lexus SC400! It still looks beautiful today, and the paint is tough as nails, and has held up extremely well, with really only scheduled maintenance needed.

• 

  Awesome used convertible - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Charlies Dad - February 17 - 5:14 pm

  I once owned a 1997 Chrysler JXI convertible, and still own a 1996 Chrysler LXI coupe. Both were wonderful cars, and this sterling blue metallic 2002 Sebring Limited convertible is fantastic for the money. I love the cream and navy interior. I never considered myself a Chrysler booster, but I have to say the fit and finish are great, and it is just so fun, and a great drive even in the cold with the heat-adjustable seats, great handling and autostick. (mine came with all the toys.) The autostick is really great for getting better mileage, which is about 22-23 city, 28-30 highway, and the autostick is very fun without having to kick the clutch all the time.

• 

  12 Months Later - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By H BRIONES - February 16 - 8:03 pm

  We have enjoyed the convenience of our Pacifica. Great 21+ mpg on trips and 17 in the city. Love being able to carry large purchases home and save delivery charges. Many compliments on appearance. The a/c cools fast - a much needed feature in the desert southwest. This one is a "keeper."

• 

  Sebring 2002 - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ns - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with the except. The only faults are no lights in the Glove Box and a prop hood. Strange to say that on a lower class sebringThere were automatic headlights but not on mine. I dont knwow why

• 

  Pt cruiser rocks - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jack2001 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I love every thing about the Cruiser.

• 

  Great Experience - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By QT - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have never had so much fun owning a car. My wife and I have met so many new friends that own Cruisers. It is a lot of fun to drive, especially when we cruise with other Cruiser owners. Its like we have joined a wonderful new community.