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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  Luvin my buggy - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cindy - January 13 - 8:16 am

  I have had a Blue/gray Turbo convertible for 1 year purchased used at 6000 miles. Luv it. Like the roll over bar. VERY disappointed that Chrysler is discontinuing the convertible. Needs Improvement with gas mileage, rear visibility, turning radius. Would love GPS, self dimming rear view, and backup warning system Otherwise, everything I wanted in an economical classy convertible, a real head turner.

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  Fun, But Always Broke - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jake - January 10 - 6:08 pm

  Owned it for about two years now. Bought it with 65k and nothing but problems since. After reading some of these reviews, it seems as though the car craps out after 60k miles. Over the past two years I put roughly $4,000 and still going.

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  Ex-Crusier Owner - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By slp2417 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely loved my Inferno Red 2002 PT Cruiser but had to trade it in this weekend at only 38,000 due to numerous transmission problems and fluid leaks. Had to have transmission replaced at 37K and Chrysler could never completely correct the fluide leaks. Had to trade in as styling was awesome and it was a fun vehicle to drive when it was running. Would recommend to others if buy extended warranty and trade before it runs out.

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  it has a hemi - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Susan Boyer - January 7 - 4:35 am

  Great car, not liking the hemi to much, use to a V-6. lol

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  98 White Concorde - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Kirk Schwartz - January 5 - 4:24 pm

  Purchased the car brand new in July of 1998, and have enjoyed it ever since. I have had some mechanical problems, with the most expensive being the failure of the #1 fuel injector. I also had the windshield washer pump fail, and the fan belt tension wheel needed replacing. The headlights yellowed very quickly. I was able to buff them out, but was surprised how bad they got. The rubber trim around the headlights was falling apart within the 2nd year of owning it. The tires that came with the car were the worst I ever owned. Interior problems consisted of the pass thru door on the backseat breaking, and the bench seat console lid broke and would not shut properly.

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  Great car before 70K Miles - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By michellea - January 1 - 6:07 pm

  The 300M is luxurious to drive, very comfortable and has great power. I absolutely loved it until it hit 70,000 miles. Since then I have had nothing but problems. It is in the shop every couple weeks. I have had to replace so many things that I am afraid to drive it. I recommend this vehicle if you plan on selling it before 70K miles.

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  PT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pl999 - January 1 - 10:00 am

  Great all rounder, fun to drive, versatile and economic.

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  Over 40k - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Not so happy - December 31 - 11:01 pm

  Car did ok until it hit 40k, then things started to go wrong - sway bar bushings (common problem), transmission cooler leak (common problem Im told, expensive to fix) and so on. 7/70 warrenty doesnt cover any of these things.

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  Pretty Good - 1990 Chrysler Imperial
  By Bill-B - December 20 - 4:57 pm

  Bought car with 69,000 miles for $2000. It now has 71,000 miles and has needed a waterpump, new hoses, rear brakes (rotors and pads), muffler, battery, and that is about it. It has pretty good pickup and will run with a 1994 Crown Vic till about 90 MPH. Very comfortable car on the staights but you have to take it really easy on the turns due to "comfort tuned" suspension.

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  With Correct Marketing, Its a winner! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ramzey28 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought about a month ago, this is a great concept. A good vehicle for someone getting out of a minivan. Loaded to the 9s. Smooth, handles well, quiet, responsive. Would like to see a 5 speed automatic, and rear sensors. They need to market this better and show the true performance of this vehicle. This out shines most of the competition.