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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  ENGINE DIED FROM SLUDGE - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By concetta van patten - February 27 - 1:32 am

  Engine died w/approx 45,000 mi. Oil changed as recommended. Shocked that Chrysler put the 2.7 Liter engine in some of these 2004 Sebrings when there were hundreds of complaints about these engines.Theres class action lawsuit re this 2.7 L engine which is apparently built in such a way that coolant gets into the engine,oil doesnt filter properly due to structural design and turns to sludge, and the engine holds less oil, thereby requiring more frequent oil changes.Chrysler and extended warranty co.s refuse to cover cost, due to sludge even when customer produces oil change receipts.I still owe $9600 on the loan and new engine will cost half that.

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  so far so good - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By morgan - February 27 - 12:46 am

  I went out looking for a compact suv for my small budding family. That didnt work out to well, and just when I was about to give it all up and stick with my old p. O. S. Mazda for another year I found my 04 Concorde. Its perfect for what I need, plenty of room for me, my little girl and my wife. It has 94,000 miles and it still runs like a champ, very smooth and plenty of passing power on the highway. I would recommend this car for anyone. While Im not totally sold on the looks of the car, it is growing on me.. I love this car, but I will be back after a few thousand more miles to Post another review.

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  cute - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By anita_9410333 - February 26 - 3:54 am

  I bought this car back in the late summer of 2009. It had 32,000 miles on it. So far no trouble with it. Rides very good. Being in my early 20s its an attractive car, with plenty of room for friends and family. Enjoyable car.

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  limited issues - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By loyal cust - February 24 - 7:36 pm

  Owned the car since new,extremely reliable car. No major issues, car has 165,000 miles, replaced brake booster/ battery at 163K, brakes/ struts at 100k, original engine/ transmission, does not use oil or leak. Oil is changed every 3000 miles, all fluids replaced per the Chry schedule. Plan to drive the car for 1 more year at which time will replace due to the Michigan road salt rust

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  Junk engine stay away!!! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tag - February 23 - 10:07 am

  We purchased this car in 2005 and it started off fine. However, the interior quality is poor and the location of vital parts are located in poor spots. Example: you need to remove the front tire to replace the damn battery. This is so nice! Just 2 weeks ago at 100,120 miles the engine blew. After researching this I found that the 2.7 v6 engine has a major sludge issue and no mechanic will work on them. Just google this for yourself prior to buying this junk car.

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  Nice Car! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By adam07 - February 22 - 4:47 pm

  Bought it new 8 years ago and still love this thing! Its so stylish and luxurious for $22,000. After 7 years the battery died once, the struts rattle on bumps and could use a replacement, and I need to replace the wiper blades because squeak really loud when you use them, so it has its typical wear and tear but the interior still has a newish smell amazing because I have 3 kids riding in it all the time! There is a lot of road noise but overall it is my favorite car Ive had. I love the way it drives, it has sporty suspension which turns really well and has really good pick-up for a small V6 which means good gas mileage, I would say it gets about 23mph. Good job Chrysler!

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  Luxury, Performance, Coolness, & Quality - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Speedle - February 21 - 11:00 pm

  We have put over 39,000 miles on our 300C in the past 4 years. No problems at all. The Hemi makes it fun to drive and the hi tech goodies are easy to use. The Boston Sound System is absolutely the best car radio I have heard. Talk about value for your dollar. I usually trade cars every 3 or 4 years, but I cant come up with a good reason to trade this one.

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  Ok for a first car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By tom - February 21 - 11:03 am

  Had this car for 5 years in december and its been ok not the best car ive ever owned. The first thing that happened when i got this car wa the a/c was dumping water into the back seat! covered under warranty. Then i got into a wreck not that long ago and busted her up pretty good but the airbag should have deployed but didnt due to a sensor failure. The repair work was good but ever since car has more road noise from the back door. The engine has good power but my radiator hose has a leak and the car over heated and sent smoke into the passenger compartment! So far ive put at least $8000(including the accient) into this car. The accident alone was $6000. But a good car over all.

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  Great, comfortable, car with guts - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By 55&pushing - February 20 - 2:12 am

  I had a choice between an 04 Dodge Neon or an 04 Chrysler Concorde, each with 62K miles and for $6000. After test driving both, it was a no- brainer, the Concorde blew away the Neon, in comfort, ride, power & interior. (Neon was noisey, bumpy, cramped. Although it had a cam sensor error shortly after purchase,(had to be replaced), and then an engine check light and rouph idle for a couple weeks, it finally went away and has run great ever since. It gets 24mpg in town and 32mpg hwy, unless the A/C is on, then its only about 22/28. Drivers seat it very adjustable even the lumbar support. The leather seats are soft and east to keep clean. It has lots of room and drives like a sports car.

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  Death Trap - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Maddie S - February 18 - 3:41 pm

  This car has swayed me against convertibles and Chryslers forever. I recieved this car 13 years after it was made, but that is no excuse for the quality at which it operates. I got hit in this car, flipped, and it almost killed me. One time I was riding with the top up, and the wind nearly ripped it off. The brakes were bad. And the rag top leaked, eventually leading to a nasty case of mold growing in the back. Horrible gas mileage as well, maybe 14 miles per gallon. This car was not only a hazard to my social life, but to my actual life as well.