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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  A great American Car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By cak737 - April 3 - 9:56 am

  I bought this 2006 TSi as a leftover in 07. It now has 60,000 miles and has not had the first problem. The reason I bought it instead of an 07 was it was priced right and loaded w/ options, and Lifetime Warranted. I have a 97 Stratus which I believe is about the same size and frame, it now has 345,000 miles w/ no major problems. And parts for these are 1/4th of parts for foreign cars. I consistently get over 30 MPG highway and thats saying something here in the Mts. of Colorado. Its fun to drive and has very crisp handling, a must in the mts. Overall a great car. Just wish the seats had more padding.

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  Fun and rare, but buyer beware. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By boeroboy - March 23 - 10:59 am

  Basically an affordable variation on the Mercedes SLK. Fun to drive with top down on a nice summer day. Six speed manual is smooth, but could be geared a little better for fuel (gear 6 in the manual is actually lower than gear 5 in the auto for some sad reason). Fuel economy in my experience is 28-34 mpg. Just beware that most "Chrysler" parts in this vehicle are just Mercedes parts with a Chrysler sticker and a massive markup. Remember the Crossfire was a lovechild of Daimler/Chrysler and is no longer made. If you buy one, be sure to join the Crossfire owner club/forum for help since most dealers dont remember what to do for Crossfire service besides take your money.

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  Great used buy...if youre a grease monkey - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By werx - March 22 - 5:18 pm

  Lets first all agree that cars are built to break. Every car is going to have problems and failures...its how much you enjoy driving the car and how practical it is for your particular needs that makes a car worth it. That being said...I love driving the pacifica. It rides great. Its quiet. Its loaded with features. Its safe. Its big enough to haul to 2 kids also. Ive had to replace the usual Chrysler culprits like suspension bushings and motor mounts. The regular maintenance of the car (oil,brakes,transmission fluid) are all on par if not above par with every other car Ive owned.

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  Make sure you check Chrysler recalls before paying for repair - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By gigigilari - March 18 - 8:12 am

  I got my Chrysler in June2010 with 68k....not even 2 weeks and it needed new alternator...later on during the summer i had to take my daughter to the hospital and on the way out it didnt want to shift from Park. Now its shaking when slowing down and its doing horrible on gas. I did tune up, regular oil changes, changed brakes and rotors and still shaking. I see a lot of people are having the shift from Park problem!!!! DO NOT pay for fixing it- go to chrysler dealership and they will fix it for free- thats a recall, also this same model has a recall for the stalling.....so if you have a problem check first because it could be a recall so u wonat have to pay or worry about expired warranty!!

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  Just bought and LOVING it!!! - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By takes2tutango - March 17 - 7:36 pm

  So, I have only owned my Sebring for 3 days now and I really dont have a lot to base reliability on as of yet but, I can say I am thrilled with this car more every time I open the door, start the engine and head out on the open road. I looked at numerous BMWs prior but, none came close to the comfort and features for the money. I needed something that my two kids could fit in as well and they thought every BMW we test drove felt too cramped. Now, I am not in any way saying that BMW isnt a great car but, for the money I am LOVING this Sebring. I will keep you informed as to whether I still love it in six months and then a year too. Right now shes got 123,000 miles and looks brand new.

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  Good Car -- Mixed Reviews - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By sjt3 - March 12 - 5:55 pm

  I just traded in my 2005 Sebring Convertible after four years. It was a great car overall but not without its flaws. Very cheaply built & even though the body was mostly plastic, still had the standard Chrysler problem of pealing paint. Interior plastic was cheap as well. Reliable with one exception, brakes!!!! I only put 40,000 miles on it and had to replace the brakes twice. My two previous cars, Chevy and a Ford, I only replaced the brakes once on each with 60,000 to 80,000 miles on it. My only other complaint is road noise. Very noisy!!!

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  Good car, good investment - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kerryg3 - March 7 - 4:09 pm

  I bought my Pacifica in 2006 with 17,000 miles on it. 5 years later, now with 107,000 miles on it, I have had limited trouble. The rocker arm went out, but the dealership covered it under the extended warranty. I have noticed a huge usage in oil, so its just a matter of checking it more often than normal. I also had the motor mount replaced which I am being told is common in these cars. Other than the few minor repairs, the car runs great, is very reliable and fun to drive!

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  2011 Chrysler 200 Limited with 3.6 V-6 - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By doc1120 - March 5 - 8:00 pm

  I just recently purchased the Chrysler 200 Limited with the 3.6 Liter V-6. I have found this car to be very comfortable, with new interior well exicuted. The V-6 has more than enough power to move the car ease through out traffic and I am experience great gas mileage, as well. I am 6 ft. 3 in. tall and even with the sun roof, I am able to find a comfortable seat position. I love the leather seats, as they are a very good quality and are very supportive of me. I really like the manual lumbar support for the driver. The sound system is great with the Boston Accoustic Speakers and the radio and other informational systems are very intuative to work. This is a very rewarding car to drive

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  My 2008 Chrysler 300C AWD - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By jan56 - March 4 - 7:20 am

  This is my second 300C AWD. The first was the 2006 model and I loved it. Then I got the 2008. What a disappointment. Its noisy and has been having issues since day one. Off and on electrical, the navigation system, UConnect. Additionally new rotors at a little over 12000 miles. Its been a royal pain. While the ride is smooth, the noise level is ridiculous. Being on UConnect, it is difficult to hear over the noise in the cabin. They definitely cheapened this version compared to the 2006. I had planned to stay with Chrysler, but now, Im thinking not. Unless theyve made some major improvements to quality, Ill take my money else where.

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  You have to drive this car! Beautiful car...great price! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By luvmy200car - March 4 - 2:28 am

  This is an amazing car! Its beautiful both inside and out and is a real head turner! Ive only had mine a week, but took it in to have SkyLink installed & several service guys gathered around it and got in to sit in it. I came out of the office and one of them asked me, "Have you seen our new 200?". I said, "thats mine".:-) The interior on the 200 Limited is very classy! Youve got fingertip controls on the steering wheel and Chrysler did a great job with the symmetrical design of the dash and instrument panel. No dull square stuff. Very nice interior lighting. Youve got the Chrysler signature quartz clock in the middle of the dash. Both the interior and exterior are exquisite.