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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  Owner of 2nd Chrysler 300 - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By Texan - April 23 - 8:34 pm

  I just traded my 2005 300 for a 2010. I made one mistake, should have gotten the 3.5 engine. The only complaint I have is a whinning noise when using the A/C. The buttons on the key are real easy to push by accident. Otherwise this is a GREAT car for the money. The price is very reasonable compared to Cadillac & others of equal size and quality. Smooth ride & easy to drive.

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  whats all the complaining - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By dodgedriver1 - April 22 - 11:47 am

  i bought this car new 8yrs ago and love it. i dont know what people are complaining about with the PROPER care and alittle maintinence this car will last.i now have 110,000 trouble free miles on this car. i will never own anything but chrysler made products.

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  Fantastic car! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Hemilover - April 18 - 6:40 pm

  If you drive this car you will buy it! The 300C has everything youd want. Mileage is not bad at all for a Hemi. Ive been getting 22 mpg on the highway. The power, handling, styling is exceptional. Chrysler should advertise this car!

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  Never Ending Problems - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By morgan - April 17 - 3:06 pm

  I had this car for a little over a year and had the following problems: the car alarm kept going off randomly as did the lights and beeping, the radiator had problems and the car kept overheating, it flooded in through the doors, the heat and AC only worked on the highest setting, and the break line burst. After all these problems, because off the flooding it was totaled due to an electrical fire. I will never buy a Chrysler again and would never recommend this car to anyone!

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  1999 Chrysler Concorde LXi - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By PalHal - April 15 - 2:10 pm

  Bought this car new in 2000 w/ only 340 miles on it. Very roomy and comfortable and excellent gas mileage for size. Trunk lid stabilizers replaced twice. This year, 2010, with only 54,000 miles started having numerous electrical problems. Engine started stopping. Had to replace Powertrain Computer Module. Very expensive. Probably spent 2-3,000 dollars in repairs over the years. Lucky that I bought extended warranty. Finally gave up and got rid of it. Wish I had seen these reviews before I bought it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Mike - April 15 - 1:37 pm

  We bought this used with 26,000 miles on it and are now at 36,000 miles. It has every option besides the Navigation/DVD. The HEMI is amazing and we love the style and how it rides. Our 5 year old is able to get into the 3rd row seating by himself. The 3rd row is spacious but a little bumpy riding back there. The only issues that we have had were with the tie-rods and with the rear assist system. Two sensors have had to be replaced. Great Ride and we plan on driving it till it dies.

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  Great car! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mike - April 14 - 1:19 pm

  I really dont understand the ratings this car has received. Maybe the folks that do the evaluating would prefer a cherry wood dash like those in their Bentleys. Either that or I am just uncommonly easy to please. This car is a fantastic value. I have taken several trips with it and consistently get 37-38 MPG. It is easy to drive, has plenty of passing power and is comfortable and reliable. The exterior design is very stylish and I find the interior to be both attractive and functional. My wife is the primary driver and she loves the car too. You can nit-pick this vehicle apart, if you choose to do so, but, for the price, I think its an incredible value. Not a bad warranty either (lifetime)

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  1994 lhs - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By ronnieonnie2000 - April 14 - 8:07 am

  I love my 1994 Chrysler lhs. It gets good gas. 27 mpg on the road.

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  u-connect problems - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By patrick - April 13 - 4:46 pm

  I love this model-this is my third sebring convertible, 96, 99 and now the 08. However,the u-connect phone continues to dump the stored phone numbers-4 times so far. the dealer replaced the computer, but is still dumping. No one seams to know what is happening.

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  2006 Chrysler Pacifica-Touring - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By S.J. Davalos - April 13 - 1:43 pm

  I bought the vehicle a little over 2 yrs ago with 39,000 mi. So far Ive had to replace both cv joints at under 42,000mi, 2 coil packs, front disc brakes, transmission leak at 40,000. The gas mileage stinks, and the front brakes are having problems breaking again. This would not have happened with a Japanese vehicle. You can bet that this is my FIRST AND LAST Dodge/Chrysler vehicle I ever buy and would only recommend it to our enemies.