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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  Fun for the Family - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By RBR - December 18 - 2:53 am

  We have 3 small kids and a Honda minivan. I traded in an Accord for the Sebring. I bought the car for my wife and I to enjoy and still have something big enough to meet the demands of a second car for a family of 5. We primarily plan to use the car for "date nights/weekends" and time together, and I use it as a work car. With the rebates and great honda trade-in values we got the car at a ridiculously low price. We rented a Sebring in Hawaii on our honeymoon and 8 years later we feel like we are back on that honeymoon.

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  Impressive - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Boinger - December 16 - 2:56 pm

  It doesnt get any better than this, especially for an American made car. I have owned a variety of cars over my 36 year driving career, including Toyota, BMW,Honda and many other American (GM, Ford)cars and have never been more pleased with the power, driveability, style and comfort. My only complaint is the road noise on concrete pavement. Great car for a very fair price.

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  Still love this car! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chrysler guy - December 11 - 11:02 pm

  Was reading some other reviews and thought Id put my two cents worth in: Bought my Sebring new in May, 2000, and for the first 3 years only had put about 33,000 miles on it, using it every day but for a mostly local lifestyle. Then I moved about 20 months ago and have been commuting about 100 miles a day since then. My mileage is up to 73000+, and the car is holding up just great! I still love the exterior body style and stance of the car the original top is in perfect condition the car never has leaked and has needed NO repairs beyond routine maintenance except for having to replace the front brake rotors, which warped due to my putting brake dust shields on the wheels.

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  love it - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By g coleman - December 11 - 9:10 am

  Only one flaw---the front end is about 2 inches closer to the ground that the previous year 300M. Occasionally hits curbing.

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  I love my baby booboo! (Convertible) 2.4 - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rev. Kathryn Ispan - December 10 - 4:00 pm

  Hey Guys, I am serious, I am so in love with my convertible PT Cruiser 2.4 Turbo touring 2005 edition I always park my baby side ways to prevent dents from lazy people getting out of their cars. I go to the extreme and park my baby far away from the busy lots in shopping malls. I am a responsible person, and I die if my baby boo boo, (nickname) would get any type of boo boo. The car cost me a fortune, I bought her in cash. I poudly say, I buy her all over again. Sincerely from your friend, Rev. Kathryn Anne Ispan

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  New "family car" - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By okie family - December 10 - 1:41 pm

  I bought this as a fun car. We have 3 small children and my wife and I wanted a "date" car. I enjoy driving it. It is quiet with the top up and the mileage is good for a V6. The car is not a sports car but it is very responsive and quick. We look forward to taking it on many weekend getaways when we can convince someone to watch or kids.

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  Performance - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By George & Bianca - December 10 - 7:23 am

  The performance of this car is incredible. The ride is smooth and handles the road well. The design of the car is beautiful, which pretty much commands attention. We love the car.

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  Major Lemon - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By antho59263 - December 9 - 7:39 pm

  This car is a maintenance headache. Had to replace all four power door lock motors ($150 ea.) Had to get the transmission fixed every three months within the last year. (over $1500) First a transmission computer chip had to be replaced. Then transmission hoses were leaking and needed to be replaced, etc. Right front speaker needed to be replaced ($75).

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  Looks and size matter but no Toyota - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By California Bob - December 9 - 4:46 am

  Bought it new for wife. Told her Toyota Avalon would be more reliable with better resale but she would not have it. Bought a gold LXI pretty much on looks and size. Dodge Intrepid was sportier but since we were expecting a child, trunk opening made the difference. Minivans at the time required removal of last seat to put anything more than a few grocery bags in... forget about it! Mostly pleased @6 years /36k miles but is no Toyota in terms of reliability or resale. Same problems you see others write about: transmission speed sensors (my dealer GOT ME for $800!) rubber grommets around headlights power lock failures 3 recalls (seat belt bolt, seat back bolt, shifter)

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  E55amg substitute - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jim Jones - December 8 - 8:00 pm

  Outstanding muscle car performance in a beautiful and sophisticate 4 dr sedan package with all the creature comforts for under $50K! It does not get any better and you save at least $30K over what the E55AMG would set you back. So it takes premium and gets about 12 mpg in town. Not a great price to pay for so much fun.