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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  No real complaints - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By larry - September 7 - 10:43 am

  Bought the little car with tongue in cheek, Have had no complaints to speak of, very comfortable to drive and ride, good performance, great MPG, Just not my idea of a sporty convertible. Drivers window rattles when rolled up and down, Radio intermittent. drips a little transmission fluid. Just quite a few little things for 54K miles. build quality poor but seems to be dependable.

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  Beware of front driver side collision - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By starcrestsa - September 5 - 2:06 pm

  I was recently in an accident where the front drivers side was impacted. Thankfully, the driver was safe. Although this was at a low speed, the impact was strong enough to smash the battery. Due to its location, the battery acid made contact with computers, electrical & mechanical parts. Needless to say, it was considered totaled even though the damage did not appear as drastic on the outside. There was other structural/frame damage as well.

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  Fun Little Car - doesnt break the bank - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chris - September 4 - 1:08 am

  I love my car!I come from a passion for sports cars, but have learned that cars are a necessary waste of money-so the Sebring Vert is my compromise. Its fun to drive, relatively safe, and thieves dont want it. The car was 6 months old when I bought it with very low mileage - and certified for about half the cost of a new one. This was a secret I found out early on, and I am glad I did why throw money out the window? Cars really are a bad investment, but I dont feel guilty about this one. Its not a BMW or Mercedes, but it gets the job done nicely without sacrificing the fun factor or the family factor. I dont drive much or very far so mpg on mine isnt reliable for comparison.

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  A really underrated car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Stan - September 3 - 2:59 am

  Bought my used 1996 Sebring JX ragtop 2 and a half years ago. The engine had caught fire due to a problem that had been misdiagnosed by the previous owner so I got it cheap. I also made all the necessary repairs. Now I have a good looking (candy apple red) rag top that I can take on 1000 mile road trips and get 28 mpg. I replaced the top (yes ladies, all rag tops leak to some extent and at some point tops will wear out)It handles well and is a very practical car that is a rag top. The Mitsubishi 2.5 V-6 is a much better engine than the Chrysler engine used in later sebrings. It is a tough car to work on though. When my engine finally dies I will replace it with a 3000 GT engine.

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  51,000 miles and lots of problems - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Jaras500 - September 2 - 9:22 am

  I bought the Cirrus two months ago and already Ive had to fork over almost $700 in repairs. The car looks nice and the inside is beautiful but thats about it. The car wont start when its hot outside or if it rained the night before. I am having a tuneup done on it to see if that will fix the problem but Im not getting my hopes up. The parts for this car are very expensive and you have to take out the entire engine just to get a tuneup done. Stay far away from this bucket of junk and buy a Toyota Corolla or Chevy Prizm. At least with them you wont be stranded in a parking lot in 90 degree weather or pouring rain.

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  Saved my families life - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Laurie - September 1 - 9:36 pm

  I just bought this car less than a month ago with 25,000 Km on it. 3 days ago another driver drove flat out into the side of it (didnt even hit the brakes). Both doors were hit. I had the head light assembly of her car drilled into the metal of my car. The drivers door would not open after impact and there was a 1 inch gap between the drivers door and frame of the car. Her car did not breach the interior passenger space. The windows didnt break and I did not have side airbags either. The entire drivers side of the car is caved in and we got out alive with no cuts and no broken bones. If we had been in a smaller car I have no doubt we would be in intensive care right now.

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  This car is horrible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rob - August 31 - 10:28 am

  I bought this car with 20,000 miles on it. I have had nothing but problems with it since. Engine light comes on all the time. I have replaced almost everything on the car but the transmission, but it seems to be slipping and shutting off when you come to a stop. Whatever you do you need to run as far away from this car as you can.

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  Loving my car! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tiffany - August 29 - 9:48 pm

  So we bought my car in 2008 while I was still prego with my daughter. The best ever, only real problem is the get up and go or trying to get battery changed out. i had to get new battery last week which was aug 2010 it was 140 to do that due to the fact that u have to take driver side tire off. its a good car i feel safe in it with my daughter lots of room just wish my windows were tinted. dont let it have hail damage because if its on the roof they will total your car and cant fix it but i love it its slick and nice and easy to maneuver. looks slick and nice keep up on the oil changes your car will be fine. i recommend this car dunno bout other peoples reviews ive had no problems at all dunno

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  SRT8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Don O - August 28 - 6:24 pm

  The car has been awesome! I bought w/12k Miles and the Car stock was very fast w/425 Hsp. With few bolt on modes the car is close to 500. A whole group of dedicated followers are on-line waiting to share info. Parts are very reasonable. Gas Mileage is where you would expect, drive like your in the Indy 500 and youll get 13 MPG, baby it and its 18. Every time you start your SRT8 a Prius cries. Very tight ride, good handling for a 4200 lbs car with plenty of peddle. You can turbo your ride and have more power than a Lambo but why it has more tha enough. Exhaust makes the car sound like a Beast! SRT8 is a total sleeper and is the most bang for your buck you can possible get!

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  Perfect car for us - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By RickR - August 27 - 9:38 pm

  Meets requirements: room for 6, rear seat legroom, sizable trunk, fairly economical to drive, reliable, fast enough.