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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  Preventive Maintenance when buying used. - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dale - August 15 - 8:49 am

  I bought this car with 58,315 miles on the 2.7 V-6 engine. Knowing the issues associated with this engine, I performed a motor flush, switched to full synthetic motor oil, and replaced the PCV valve. Also, I had the transmission flushed, cooling system flushed, and tune up performed. This is a good, reliable car and solid for being 8 years old. Not knowing how the previous owner cared for the vehicle, I had all that preventive maintenance done. I average about 27 mpg with my Sebring and for the most part, Im satisfied.

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  My toy - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By James - August 14 - 2:07 pm

  I have owned this car for 3 years and i have had no problems at all with it. I have replaced the battery. I average about 32 mpg on the road and 25 around town. 4 cyl is peppy and reliable.

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  Best 4 pass Convertible period - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gazman - August 14 - 8:58 am

  in any fair comparison this is the best 4 passenger convertible. interesting some reviewers didnt realize that holding the up button past the roof up will automatically raise all 4 windows. some compared the 2.7 to the Mustang time was better with the 3.5 so they were probably afraid to do a real comparison.

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  Smells like gas - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By leftatdunkirk - August 13 - 9:18 pm

  We acquired this vehicle through a family member and are working to pass it on to some other unlucky soul. Took it to the dealership to have the gas smell checked out under a recall. They said the recall was not active for our vehicle, but they would gladly do a diagnostic for $90. The ABS and traction control have failed and the thing feels like a category 4 earthquake when it idles. The only good that will come of this vehicle is when we get it sold and buy a Volvo.

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  Luv my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Donna - August 12 - 9:42 pm

  I bought this car brand spanking new in July of 2004. I fell in love with it right off the get, did research for over a year and still came back to this one. It has 93,000 miles on it, I drive a lot, beautiful ride and comfort. Had a few problems, same as some noise and squeaking and clunk front end. Original brakes had them checked several times. So far so good, right now having issue with stalling, surging, ran codes and found nothing so far so keep"n fingers crossed. But all in all I love it. Going on a long trip this vehicle is like riding on a cloud, such comfort. I knew when I bought it about the gas so I cant complain on that. Its held up nicely so far. Also have a sebring. 2001

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  Great price/needs help! - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By FORD LOVER - August 10 - 7:09 pm

  I bought this car because of the body style and how it drove, like a luxury automobile. I had it only 3 days and the gear got hung in park. The dealership fixed the problem and I can only pray that it doesnt happen again. I love the comfortable ride. air conditioning, Sirius radio and the body style, but after reading all the other reviews, Im wondering if I should have bought another dependable ford product. I owned a Ford Focus with 106,000 miles on it and it was very dependable, no problems ever. Im prayerful that God will allow this to be a good purchase and not have the problems that others have had, if not than I will return and update my information to others so they will know!

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  I Hate To Give It Up - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Art - August 9 - 6:01 pm

  Mine just got totaled! Daily driver commuting to work from 12/99 until I retired 6/06. Since then occasional use only. Serviced at recommended intervals and Mobil 1 and filter every 3K miles. The ONLY repair it has ever required is replacing the drive motor on the drivers window and I live in a very icy climate that destroys power windows and windshield wiper mechanisms. It is the only vehicle Ive ever owned that I can literally say I never had problems with it and it ran as well on the day it died as it did on the day I bought it. I kept telling myself that it was getting old and I should get a new car but I never found anything I liked better that didnt have a 3-pointed star.

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  Love my Car! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Cass - August 9 - 12:08 pm

  I bought my LXi January 2007 with 59,000 miles on it right out of a lease. This car was my second car and i wanted something sporty, but reliable. I could not believe i found it. I unfortunately will be parting with is soon because I am 6 tall and there is no back seat space even for a car seat, but I cant complain. I didnt want anyone in my car to ruin it anyway! Such a fun car with the sport shifter. I unfortunately got stuck with a noisy suspension that has never given me any problems! First problem I am dealing with is at 115,000 miles the alternator died. That was my turning moment to say I should probably upgrade now before more happens :*(

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  Stay away from 2.7L V6 engine! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sandi - August 8 - 1:57 am

  I bought this car new and always liked the styling, the features, and the ride. I had very few problems with this care until it hit 60,000 miles. I started having problems with the engine and discovered: Oil Sludge! I learned through Internet research the 2.7 L V6 engine in this car was known for developing oil sludge, coolant leaks, catastrophic failure due to poor design. At 67,000 miles, Ive replaced water pump, water inlet housing, and still have coolant leaking into the engine. Im guessing its the gaskets.

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  Not bad but could be better - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By jlanier - August 7 - 8:39 pm

  I bought this car from a used car dealership. It looks great and drives well. The suspension is sub-par. have had problems with the shocks/struts, ball joints. However, the engine runs terrific and gets great gas mileage.