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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  Good Car!!!!!!!!!!1 - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By TYRA - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I think this a great car. I like the body style because it is sexy but still classic. So far i have had no problems.

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  Thumbs up value - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By KMO - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with my new purchase of this vehicle. Has the creature comforts of my Buick (if you get it loaded). Suspension is fairly tight, could be described as "touring." Engine acceleration/power is good off of the start, but excellent in rolling acceleration... if you floor it at 20- 50 you know it... and might be exceeding the highway speed limit before you look down (hint). The "enthusiast package" is a must... better steering reponse, and auto-stick is "fun". Easier to stay in 200 HP power band. My average gas mileage sits at about 25. I highly recommend synthetic oil, it smooths out this engine a bit.

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  I LIKE IT - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By WAYNO - May 27 - 2:03 pm

  My mileage is pretty good, my wife has a heavy foot so her mpg is not too good. I averaged 19+ which is @ 4 mpg less than my 4-cyl Honda element for the same weekly travel cycle. Great seats, engine is good; wanted a 5-sp auto, tho. Gets a buzz in the dash like another that a drove and you CANNOT see out the back to back up. we have spent all day in this vehicle, crossing states with both highway and stop-and-go driving and came away refreshed. lots of storage but seats are a little fumbly. Passes others fine and was as solid as a tank in 8 inches of hardened, slippery snow (AWD). I love the look; call it a van if you want, sportwagon is the most accurate name. I would recommend it.

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  A smooth ride - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By bdscoach - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new. After a short test drive, my wife was hooked! Since that time, we have to date put 94K+ miles on it with little trouble. Car is comfortable and I can ride in the back without any legroom issues. Still gets looks with this body style, too bad Chrysler discontinued it in lieu of the cookie cutter style for its big sedans. Huge trunk, good pickup and handling, great gas mileage (can travel from Minneapolis to Chicago on less than a tank)!

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  1994 LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Mike J - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I really like this car overall. It is a pleasure to drive and is very comfortable inside. The power is good and gas mileage acceptable. The mechanicals however leave something to be desired. The A/C has been replaced three times and is currently out of commission. The transmission has been replaced once also. Fix the A/C and transmission and the car would be a 10.

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  Good Car for Me! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By goneloooney - May 27 - 2:00 am

  This car preforms well and gives me the power I need. I wish this vehicle was available in a manual transmission. The car is extremely quiet and relaible. I recommend this to anybody interested in looking splendid while feeling like a champion bahiend the wheel.

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  I love it but......... - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By rellim - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had several things happen...thank goodness they were under warranty. Fuel sending switch went leaving me stranded with an empty tank although I thought I had 1/4 tank. Auto trans selenoid was leaking and had to be replaced and the defogger contact popped off. If I keep the car I foresee an extended warranty in my future.

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  300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By HEW - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great looks, great performance, over 24mpg

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  Poor quality car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Chrisy - May 26 - 2:00 am

  All of my power windows had to be changed out due to motor breaking. Had problems with air system, car broke overheated and had to change compressor at 40K miles. 50k miles the stearing has major problems. Standard Goodyear tires that come with the car do not last very long with normal driving conditions at best 25K miles. I suggest everyone who considers buying this car get a extended bumper to bumper warranty to cover all the problems

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  Love this car! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Runnaref - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Have owned and loved this car for over 2 years. Avg. 28 mpg and 33 when just highway so my mileage is good. Great value for the price and love the sunroof and 4 cd changer. No ABS standard on this model, which was the only drawback, but no regrets. Would certainly consider another when the time comes and have recommended this model to other buyers