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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  PT Turbo Ragtop - Exactly what I Wanted - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Paul - December 19 - 11:30 pm

  When I first drove a PT Cruiser I wasnt sure what to expect. It looked smaller than I expected but drove larger than anticipated. The only disappointment was with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder; it seemed to be underdesigned and my mind was changed...I decided that I would not buy an anemic retro- style vehicle. Then I saw the articles in the press about the (then) upcoming Turbocharged convertible and thought that it was worth another try. I preselected the most challenging road in Akron, Ohio near the dealership and took two test drives; one in a 2.4 cylinder and the other in the 2.4T. Finally I had found the car I thought I wanted from the start. Thanks Daimler-Chrylser, you made it!

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  Excellent - 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By E.C. - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought a new special edition with the two tone black/silver paint and red leather seats. Great car and the pricing was incredible. I looked at other comparable cars, but there was no way to get them under $13k, not even close. To me this car is a classic. The looks, performance, cargo space, build quality, and handling are great. Im also getting 25 mpg average, so no complaints there.

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  5 Speed the way to go - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By local cruiser - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The over-all quality of the car is very good. Only problem found is the 4 speed automatic transmission. This transmission has problems in getting stuck in second gear after a complete stop. No codes register so the dealer cant address the problem as per Chrysler. Chrysler .... what ever happened to "customer service" ...

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  Some Scarey Reviews - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By newowner - December 2 - 6:46 pm

  Hoo boy! Some (most?) of these reviews are real stinkers. Then again, most people who like their cars are out driving them and having fun, not sweating over a keyboard. I read the reviews and then went out and bought a 60k miles, fully optioned turbo/auto stick 2003 GT for $7,995. One owner, clean as a whistle and rides/handles/accelerates like a champ. I have driven it all of 40 miles and since buying it for my wife this afternoon. Will we still love it after another 4,000 miles? Will my good car Karma prevail? Ill write again, same time next year. Then again, maybe not -- if were having fun.

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  Love the Ride!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Deanna Penske - December 1 - 9:06 pm

  Very happy with overall styling and performance. Like the get up and go that the Hemi provides. Rides for smooth and quiet. It has that hemi rumble when sitting still. Cannot feel when displacement comes into effect.

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  Why I rated this car so poorly - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Kristina - December 1 - 1:08 am

  I have had problems w/ my sebring from the beginning, and now it is 2005 and I am still paying for it and the same problems presist. Here is my laundry list ofd issuses: #1 Rear view defroster-It is in the shop as we speak being fixed-might I add this is the 10th time that it is being repaired. #2 Rear ball joints- The left rear failed on me while my mother was driving my car on a major highway. #3 Wheel bearings were replaced #4 tire rods #5 door straps both left and right side repaired 2 times on each door #6 air bag light fixed 3 times, turns out that my seat belt reciever on the passenger side sets it off. #7 factory installed radio system overheats and malfunctions has been replace

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  time to trade - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By all that money - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Rides terribly terribly on bumpy roads. Has steering wheel kick when hittng a bump. Have to constantly correct the steering. Cant see the lighted dials in the day time. Too dim Can not read any of the 3 stalks from the drivers position. Speedometer hard to decern my speed. Cannot see the the traffic lights when Im first at the light. Have to hunch over to see the green light. Very annoying. Now that Ive had it a while the interior looks very plain. Complicated radio controls.

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  Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JRFreshour - November 28 - 10:00 am

  As a previous owner of 3 Cadillac STS models, i was dubious about the 300C as a replacement. I can honestly say that, for the money, this is an awesome car. It is great to look at; a pleasure to drive; performs and handles great; and it is classy and comfortable.

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  no regrets! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By cjac - November 28 - 10:00 am

  we preordered this car, and it was well worth the nearly 5 month wait, even though we were told it would only be 5- 6 weeks. we love this car, it is the most spacious car for front and rear passengers. the trunk is ENORMOUS! people ask us if they can see it all the time. we are very happy with our purchase, and would highly recommend it to everyone, but we dont want to see our car all over the place. ;o) ps- only con is that this is a LARGE car, and safe parking in garage & lots can be challenging.

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  My 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By sfd1854 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I had a Jetta TDI GLS. I thought I would miss it more. Mileage is bearable. The car drives like butter. I drove through a downpour while all cars were off on the side of the road. I wasnt thrown a bit. Very comfortable on long drives. Cruise control is in an awkward place for my wheel setting so this can be tricky. This was my first American car in 20 years and I average a new car ever 2 years. So far I am happy to say I bought American