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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  Limited with 3.6L V6 - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By fproctor - August 9 - 12:30 pm

  We bought this when after first looking at a VW Beetle. New styling of 200 is refreshing. Interior is classy in black. Lots of power with the V6 I expected there to be more torque steer during spirited driving with 283hp going to front wheels but the traction control keeps TS under control quite well. The mileage could be better but we bought anyways fully knowing what to expect. We traded in a 2010 VW Jetta TDI that had turbo lag the VW dealerships could not resolve.

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  worst fuel mileage ever - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By bighosea - August 6 - 11:55 am

  We bought the car for the fuel mileage and we are getting lousy fuel mileage. we took a trip and went 7,ooo miles and we are getting only 21 to 25.!!!!! And they told us it would get 31 to 37 on highway and we are _not getting that at all!!!!!!!! we would sale this car for $17,000 and buy a chevrolet some one that stands behind there cars!!!!!!!!!!!! they would do nothing about the fuel milage bighosea do not buy a chrysler no good 417,000 and buy a chevrolet!!!!!!

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  Repair - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jean46 - July 9 - 2:43 pm

  I have had to replace the gear box at a cost of 375.00 and the dealer says that this model is well known for the same problem. But no re-call has been offered by Chrysler. The gear will not come out of park once a spring has broken. Come on Chrysler,,,a spring??? for the price you charge for your products one would think you could well afford a better part.

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  I WANT to love this car!! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By surby66 - June 17 - 2:03 pm

  I really do love driving this car. I bought it brand new, but I have had several issues that Ive never had with other new cars that Ive purchased. The convertible top has gotten stuck several times the drivers side window squeaks terribly the brakes began squeaking terribly within the first 1000 miles the horn sound has become very low (the dealership says its normal... but it didnt sound like that until recently) it got stuck in Park (gear shifter was bad) the dealership busted the center console fixing it & then ordered the wrong color console and I get SOAKED from run-off when I open the door after it has rained. Hoping that will be all the issues. Sure is fun to drive!

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  Bad Statement/Decision on Chryslers Part - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By nothappy300 - June 15 - 5:01 pm

  last yr I purchased a 2009 Chrysler 300 Touring – love the car but when I first purchased the car I noticed that at the top of the doors there is a trim piece that had what appeared to be 2 separate pcs per door – not impressive but not a “deal breaker” now a yr later it appears that these are just cheap pcs as there are multiple cracks in ea. Called Chrysler and was told due to the age of the car – 3 yrs – and the milage – part has NOTHING to do w/miles – I would have to pay some of the repair bill which I don’t agree with. Not a seat that I ripped or stone chips I want fixed – I don’t see how this is a “wear and tear” issue. I am truly thinking of getting rid of the car – and not purchasi

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  First salesmans car for me that is not a van! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By paulsnj - June 11 - 8:21 am

  Just picked up this car after much soul-searching to replace my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan that I owned for 135K of its 183K miles driven. This car had some interesting options for a base model: Heated leather seats and a CD changer (I am 43 and still do not own an I-pod). Also only 48K miles but I will be racking them up pretty fast. Very solid heavy vehicle with the 3.5 V6. Would have liked the 3.8 as in my van, but was not available in 2006. Not the fastest off the line, my van was a bit quicker, but great highway cruiser. No third row in the base, but five people in it over the weekend had no issues. If you dont want a van and can put up with slightly smaller size its worth a look.

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  Still love my car - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By xcap5 - May 23 - 8:39 pm

  In 1.5 years I have put 51,000 trouble free miles on this car. Two flat tires and oil changes is all Ive done. People sure thought I was crazy buying this car new because of all the bad reviews but I have no regrets.

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  Mopar Or No Car....? - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By brycmtthw - May 22 - 7:05 pm

  This is my first car. I was looking for a Chrysler or a Dodge car, full or mid size (wouldnt consider a Neon..).(Yes I know its a Mitsubishi) I had looked at Concorde, Intrepid, 300M, Sebring Sedan and a couple of the coupes. I ultimately settled on the coupe. The 2.5G is the best looking IMHO. Modern, and cleaner looking than before. The 3.0 Mitsubishi engine and the AUTO are excellent! The interior is comfortable, the Infinity stereo is awesome! But the dash, they are known for warping in the defrost area. but for the price and the mileage on the car, it was a steal! Beware that 91 octane fuel is recommended! other wise I love my Sebring!

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  Problems with the cruise control - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By setht37 - May 22 - 9:58 am

  I purchased the 2011 Chrysler 200 LX used 4 months ago. Overall it seems to be a good car, good handling, seems to be fast enough for a 4 cyl and gets good gas mileage. Right after I purchased the vehicle I noticed issues with the cruise control. Sometimes it would work sometimes it would not, the problem was intermittent. I had to take it to the local Chrysler dealership several times before they acknowledged there was a problem. Turns out it had something to do with the wiring in the steering wheel, the Chrysler tech said it looked like some one was in there before but no record of warranty work being done. Tech said it could have left the factory like that. Also breaks squeak in reverse.

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  New Chrysler fan :) - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By scottporras - May 16 - 1:57 pm

  Got this car brand new (Blackberry Pearl on black interior with 17 miles) little over a month ago after getting in an accident in my Cadillac Eldorado, and have had zero problems, im very impressed! Gets good mileage (30-35 mpg hwy at 70-75 mph), comfrotable, with pretty good quality. I think its a great new gen Chrysler vehicle for anyone. Has a surprisingly sporty feel to the suspension, hugs corners very well and feels pretty flat in the process, but soft and absorbing at the same time. Very nice interior with a majority of it soft-touch materials, gets lots of compliments from passangers. I4 engine feels pretty crude, opt for V6. As driving enthusiast I find it fun to drive.