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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  nice car........... - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By rd - July 28 - 2:21 am

  Have had about two months but having fun. I really like the looks and the usual response I get is "nice car!" I have not driven many sports cars but this one is fun to drive! You have to be in reasonable physical shape to get in and out. Mom dont fit... I immediately got an extended warranty and Xylon(sp?) coating from a Chrysler dealership. Hopefully it will prove a dependable car for a long time as I tend to keep cars for 10years or so. The downside is the "american car rapid depreciation", premium gas and the 8.5 qts synthetic oil every 3K miles. As for now, no regrets!

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  FAVORITE CAR - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By drenee - July 27 - 8:41 pm

  We have loved owning this vehicle since the day we bought it! I do not like driving in the snow/slush, but have felt very safe in the Pacifica AWD. It handles VERY VERY good in the snow! Weve replaced the brakes once on it at about 60K miles. It does burn a little oil at times - but not too bad that it worries us. The headlights have gone out once on each side. Otherwise, there are no problems with it. We love how it handles & drives & would recommend it to anyone!

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  so far - good car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By scobb - July 27 - 11:22 am

  I have truly fallen for my sebring. Never had been a fan before having only experienced the convertibles in the past. It drives so smooth and has decent pick up. The look is sharp and it is very comfortable. I do feel it is "simple" in the interior department - not many bells and whistles. Having said all of this, I did not pay full price for it either. I was able to get it for under $14k during the cash for clunkers/double rebate from Chrysler. I do not know if I would have paid $20k for it. Only time will tell.

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  300 touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By outwest - July 27 - 12:09 am

  I was looking for a used car that was as good as a 04 Dodge ram diesel, in power mpg, I didnt want another repeat of the durango, then we had the p t cruiser, that tin box would be o k, if we stayed in the city, but on the road I did not like the risk, first I was surprised about this design on the 05 300, then I looked up the specs, better economy/power then the p t we had, and a real car, for a change, we installed yakohama h rated 215/65/17 tires and it is important to note the h rating, for the pure fact the car handles very well with these tires we bought the extended warranty , 23.6 mpg, however I was not driving with a steady foot, finally a real car true road car ,

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  Good Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Wallace Black - July 25 - 2:23 pm

  I have been looking for a new car and started researching vehicles. I have been very satisfied with my Sebring and might keep it longer. It is good looking, good gas mileage, adequate power, and has been reliable. When I drive a new car, they are much more expensive and dont seem any better than what I got. Sorry for those who have had problems.

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  best car ever!!!!!!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By favre44 - July 25 - 1:08 pm

  When I purchased this car in 2005, I loved it. I still do! I LOVE the seat heaters. Its the best part. When I sit in the car, I feel like royalty. The leather seats are Awesome because it makes me look rich! Got to love making the neibors jealous. Ha ha! It can fly! It can really go fast! BOTTOM LINE: This car is Awesome!!!!!!!

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  An absolute class act ! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Jersey Shore - July 24 - 6:01 pm

  I couldnt have designed or built a better car if I did it myself. I usually buy a top of the line car with all the do-dads. Because of the economy, I thought Id better scale down and buy something less expensive. I did, and man am I surprised! I thought I was skimping, but got one of the best cars Ive ever owned. I honestly cant find ONE thing to complain about. Its quiet, roomy, comfortable, fast, exceptionally impressive and economical. You can take it to Home Depot, load the trunk with no problem. Take it to the country club later and park it with the big boys! .. all for the price of a Honda. Im totally happy with it.

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  My 300 T - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CHRYSLERS 300 - July 24 - 1:54 pm

  This car is one of best I every had, If not the best. No new parts or trouble just a set of tires in three years. Fun to drive and good mileage.

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  Bad transmission - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Read this! - July 24 - 9:30 am

  Transmission blew at only 79000 miles. We had xmission serviced at 48000. Engine has ping. Exhaust system has loud rattle they cant fix. Outside trim pealing back. Toher than these, we are satisfied with this vehicle. Oh, did fail to mention, I will never buy from Chrysler again!

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  What I need? - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dazz Wryght - July 23 - 2:30 pm

  My wife and I wanted a small wagon to accomodate our child to come and our 50 lb german shepard. The PT was first on our list after renting one to drive 9 hrs from ATL GA to Winchester VA. I drove the rental the entire way without needing to stop aside from gas. I averaged 430 mi to the tank. Very comfortable for my 6 2" 290 lbs football defensive end-esque frame. I just bought a 03 w/ 14k Touring Edition Deep Red. My complaints are a slight vibration between 800 and 1200 RPM through out the car. Im not sure if this is normal or something that needs to be addressed. All 4cyl. engines vibrate. Some car Co. are better at concealing this than others. Will probably move to a GT in a year.