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:

• 

  sebring style - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By tony_dano - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I love the sexy interior design and fairly good acceleration and handling. Dont like the stiff ride and ground clerance.

• 

  1993 Chrysler Concorde Review - 1993 Chrysler Concorde
  By zither - October 5 - 2:00 am

  The car is awesome to drive and accelerates very quickly for only 153 horses and for the size. The only problem I had with it that it was consistently needing some part replaced.

• 

  great car - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By slider2717 - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I have 85,000 miles and no problems. The Mitsu V6 runs like a champ. The only item that failed on the car is the Infinity CD player and a speaker. The car is 5 years old and I still get people asking what kind of car this is. No complaints whatsoever. Car looks great and runs great!

• 

  Love it! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Raquel - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had it 3 yrs. no problems at all.When I first saw it, I thougt, WOW! I dont have any regrets at all. I highly recommend it.

• 

  Chrysler Sebring LXI DISSATISFACTON - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lisa Shipley - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had a very bad experience with my brand new 2001 Sebring LXI. Following issues-faulty brakes, broken sunroof, malfunctioning alarm, broken glove compartment, car shaking and stalling upon start, defective wheel laquer causing flat tires, torn leather, and some minor issues. Not only were several days off from work needed, but Chrysler does not provide loaner cars to customers. I contacted a Lemon law attorney because I still have a broken sunroof that has still not been repaired after three attempts. Also, I repeatedly am getting flat tires due to the defective wheel laquer on my vehicle. I would not recommend this vehicle.

• 

  Classy, stylish and fun - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Stephen Newman - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 4 months now, the only problems to date were the drivers window came off the track and they had to reapply the adhsive to the clip that holds the window in place, that along with replacing a tranformer (?) in the engine so the fan would not run continuously, even thought it still does. The car has plenty of get up and go, is very comfortable, stylish with a classy look. I would buy this car again but not from the same dealer, the delearship was the dealership from hell from start to now.

• 

  I love my 300 - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By bcmtb - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I had a very bad experience with the Ford Explorer, so I was looking for a totaly different vehicle. I love this car. I travel 25k to 30k a year and this car is amazing to drive. Love all of the wonderful comments that I receive on it everywhere I go!!

• 

  LOVED it...til it started to fall apart - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By markra - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has broken my heart recently. Its been a joy when its working right, but now (87K), its turning into a HUGE money-eater. Every little problem turns out to be a big, expensive one. So far, my 300M has needed a head gasket(!), front control arms & struts, an A/C evaporator core, and now it needs a new computer (due to a failed purge sensor). Nearly $5,000 in recent repairs...will be complaining LOUDLY to Chrysler. Damn shame, cause I otherwise have loved it.

• 

  Serota Report - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By JLS - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Paint is very poor, scratchs very easily. Very areodynamic thus if you are a smoker ashes fly back into the vehicle. Lighter is very poorly placed. If you aror all the dash for a high shine you will not be able to clearly see through the windshield in sunny conditions.

• 

  WE FOUND OUR DREAM CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By D SMITH - October 2 - 8:10 pm

  The seductive exterior of our C is not a lie. The experience of driving, no not just driving, entering the car, slipping into the seats, hitting the button that gives us our driver choices, keeps our spirits bubbly. When driving could become a mere mode of getting to our chosen location, this car makes it an occasion. The Sirius radio gives you music to fit any mood with news at the touch of the button and sound quality is superb. A refined instument cluster is clean in appearance but has the solid look of class. My husband fell in love with the Chrysler 300C at first sight. I tried not to get excited about getting one, but driving ours off the lot was a heady sensation. I love it.