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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  I love my car, but... - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Shelly - July 27 - 2:13 pm

  My mom and I had to finance this car due to my Baby Girl being in the hospital and my 97 Escort being out of commission. I love my car, it had 52,903 miles on it when I bought it in October 2004, in March 2005 I had to repair the transmission to the tune of 1,300 dollars, I have since put 1,200 into it repairing/replacing tie rods, ball joints, brakes, brake hoses, strut components, oh and you cant easily obtain some of the most important safety components, such as strut mounts, I recently had to buy a used pair of struts from a junkyard because the mounts rotted out on mine, and 9,681 other peoples Sebring and this part is on backorder until at least August 11th (possibly September.)

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  Watch out for electrical fire - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By kim porter - July 26 - 10:10 am

  I was just getting used to the car, driving it back and forth to work, one fine day on my way home, I stopped at my local home improvement store, I got out of the car, and walked into the store, within minutes my car had caught fire. So be careful there is something going on with this car, that Chrysler has not recognized as of yet. If anyone else has had this problem please call Chrysler and inform them of this problem.

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  Chrysler 300M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By John - July 26 - 4:58 am

  Bought a loaded, but used, 300M with 173,000 miles for wife at auction. Initially was leery about car, given Chryslers reputation for poor product quality, but so far have been pleasantly pleased. Highway acceleration is good. Sound system is nice, except two speakers are blown, and I cant stand the idea of paying for something that my 10-year-old son calls "cosmetic." Only major mechanical problem has been a transmission sensor that put car into "limp in" mode. Once diagnostic code was cleared, car ran fine. I think my 300M must have been lovingly maintained by a doctor or something, because its been--knock on wood-- relatively problem-free. Insurance costing more than maintenance.

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  Good Family Car - 1993 Chrysler Concorde
  By Toby VALDEZ - July 25 - 11:25 pm

  The car had 33,000 miles on it. Today it has 157,000. Does not burn any oil. I use it to commute to work. A/c works good. I just love driving my car. Three of my grand kids have gotten their their driving permit while driving my Chrysler Concord. I painted the car five years ago. Looks great. Excellent second car.

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  2 month old owner - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Keli - July 22 - 2:56 pm

  We looked for almost a year before we decided on my Aspen, now Im wishing I waited for the hybrid. So far my Aspen has needed to go in to the shop more times then a new SUV should. MyGig has locked up with the UConnect so the phone nor any sound would work. My sunroof is leaking & yes I have the DVD player in the back just behind the leaking sunroof. There is this high pitch noise that comes from the AC/Heater when its on higher then 2 that drives me crazy due to ear trouble. RE:gas,not sure what to say because the dealer keeps saying just wait till you have over 3000 miles it will get better. This weekend it needed a jump to get start? Dont get me wrong I do love it just wonder if lemon?

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  my pt at 8.5k miles - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tmzsr - July 21 - 10:00 am

  At 8.5k I have been please, but disappointed in economy. Ride is good and firm, turn radius a bit wide. It could use some power, once it shifts from low, second is weak moving comfortably in multi-lane traffic over 35 mph without full throttle downshift. Seats are firm, storage is good, take out rears are great, CD radio is nice, but speakers are weak. Exterior emblems have rough edges and snag most cleaning and polishing materials; bumper finish too rough (catches polish no matter how hard you try to prevent it).

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  A great cheap car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mark T - July 20 - 11:02 pm

  Still have my 2002 Sebring, 180,000 mi, runs great! Was somewhat afraid to buy this car after reading reviews, but in Real World Driving ( I have to pay for it, put the gas in it, and Not get speeding tickets) I went ahead and am definitely more than pleased. Great mileage (ave. 32 mpg, mostly hwy driving) lots of room for large people, great power seats, and everybody loves the looks. As for the interior, yes its a bit hard in spots, but in my experience Ive found that in the long term, Chrysler interiors hold up very well. The four cylinder has adequate acceleration, and is dead quit on the highway. I think for the price you cant beat this car.

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  Very good overall car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By apinkiez - July 20 - 1:06 am

  Styling inside and out. Roomy, especially with the removable rear seats. Upright seating position. So far it has been quite reliable.

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  Always something - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Always something - July 17 - 10:12 pm

  I love my car but there is always something else I have to change. My brakes get changed annually and the whole front end is replaced too. Now the damn thing wont start! Theres always something to do

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  First new car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kissfan32 - July 17 - 5:56 pm

  I had this car only 3 days before it had to go to the shop. Over a six month period it was in the shop 7 times for check engine light. The first 6 months I owned it I had to have a rental car a total of 2 weeks. These cars are very poorly built (in Mexico). Also, there is a lot of road noise. The stereo is barely audible on the highway. I will never buy another Chrysler.