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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  Great Car Overall - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dale - May 30 - 6:33 am

  I love the comfort and handling of this car. It does have the 2.7 V-6, which I am familiar with the oil sludge issue, but will take care to prevent clogging with regular oil changes and motor flushes. This car is quick upon acceleration, quiet, offers a soft, stable ride, as well as good gas mileage. Im averaging around 28 miles per gallon in my Sebring.

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  Chrysler is hit and miss, 300m is a hit! - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By mrnest - May 29 - 1:31 pm

  Purchased new in 03. Car has a bit over 100k on it now and has never had a single problem. Up to spec with most new cars in terms of power, handling, looks, overall enjoyability. Interior should be an upgrade from standard Chrysler fare for the 300m but is okay with the carbon fiber trim though. Car has plenty of power, interior room, great handling, and is stone cold reliable. The 18" wheels definitely make the car noisier, though. Also, the "special" is lower in the front so watch out for those high curbs! If you hit one it can bring the bumper out of alignment. Drawbacks of having a performance car. Absolutely love this car, they should have kept this one and made the newer 300 separate

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  Great ride! - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By ontario - May 27 - 4:52 am

  I actually have a 2010 300 Limited AWD 3.5L V6, the Canadian version. The MyGIG with no NAV allows up to 28 gigs of music (software, etc. takes up the remaining space). It is a great feature, easy to add music via USB and there is an aux jack as well. The vehicles ride is great, an excellent cruiser with a superb comfort level. The vehicle is well built out of Brampton, Ontario. The dealership was pleasant to do business with, and had the vehicle delivered in a timely manner (built to order). The vehicle is very spacious (Im 61" and fit comfortably), and the AWD works wonders for harsh Canadian winters. Dual front auto climate control is a nice feature as well.

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  Fun and Comfortable - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By oldschooldevil - May 26 - 6:07 pm

  I just bought this car about a year ago and it has been a great car. I bought it from a guy and he sold it for $800. NOTHING is wrong (surprise, surprise) It is a lot of fun to drive and it looks great even with the top up or down. This car is very dependable and it has even made me think about getting a new Sebring when this one finally gives out. And that I highly doubt! For a 12 year old car, it is highly modern inside and out. I love the stock sound system and the way it drives. I will continue to take good car of it and Im sure it will take good care of me. Greatest investment yet.

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  Cant complain - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By 31 yr. old Dad - May 26 - 5:20 pm

  Bought it new. Touring model. Just started having the brake rotor problems everyone else seems to be having with these. Still under warranty. Dealership replaced them with bigger ones. Problems with head space? Im 63", & have no problems, just lower the seat down all the way! The wheels that came with it had a plastic kind of cover/finish on them. Looked good but started peeling away last fall. Chrysler put four new chrome ones on it & let me keep the old ones for my winter tires. Only other thing was I didnt like the way the lumbar support in the seat, even when fully deflated. Dealership took it out for me. Just be nice and youll get places people!

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  Best Convertible I have ever owned - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Convertible Lady - May 24 - 1:18 am

  I have been the only owner of my Sebring 2002 Convertible. I have changed the oil religiously about every 3000 miles, changed the tranny fluid, and done other preventative maintenance as suggested. The only problem I have had with my vehicle is with the seat belt light staying on. I changed out a fuse and had the box reset and that helped for about two weeks. The light came back on. It doesnt bother me to have the light on so I leave it alone. The only other problem I had was with some small piece in the system that cost about $100 (it caused the car to shut down at stop lights). I got that fixed and everything is ok again. It has been a great car..no lemon. I am over 100k mi. now.

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  What a car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By 522jansen32 - May 20 - 8:14 pm

  I received this car from my Dad after about 5 years of heavy use. Even with the extremely high millage, this car preforms as if brand new. There have been no major repairs to the car (except for the radiator which was my fault) and it is so reliable, even in the coldest of the winter days. When my friends and I go on long trips, we always will take my car because no other car even comes close to comparing to its comfort level! I love this car so much and would have gladly paid twice the price we originally got it for. Thank you Chrysler!

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  Fun Car But Has Its Issues - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By leolady - May 20 - 2:25 pm

  I love my car & cannot emphasize that enough. Its such a fun drive, but it has its flaws. I knew more about the car then dealership from the reviews I read, so I knew the car (could) have its flaws. It has been in the shop many times for a new car: entire top panel had to be replaced because passenger side lining was cut short & falling down, driver side lining replaced because car leaked when raining, the windows sometimes dont go up all the way & the car makes a loud grinding noise with left turns. Most recently, the dashboard lights randomly dont work in the dark-electrical shortage. Love the car & will have fun, but when the warranty is up, so am I.

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  Chrysler 300C Spontaneous Engine Failure - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By KHerron - May 20 - 1:08 pm

  I was very satisfied with the overall performance and reliability of my Chrysler until the early afternoon on May 9th when the Engine decided that the parking lot of Osh Hardware Store was the place where it would decide to rest forever. I drove to the store fine and when I came out the car failed to start. I had it towed to the nearest dealership where the mechanic confirmed that that engine is completely gone. The pistons have holes in them and the valves are in pieces, it will cost $8,100.00 for a new engine. I informed Chrysler LLC about the issue and after confirming that the problem was not my fault they only offered to pay for HALF leaving me with a $4,000.00 bill

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  Great Value - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By RON - May 18 - 6:25 pm

  This vehicle which I own is the Touring model. The Touring model is the basic vehicle. However, it comes pretty well loaded. The four cylinder has excellent fuel economy. The ride is smooth and quiet, the seats are comfortable, and the engine produces decent power. It is easy to drive and the 1 year free Satellite Radio Service is great which sounds great. There are no power seats in the Touring model but they are comfortable and has a height adjustment on the drivers side..