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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  Good vehicle, not great - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By TC - July 8 - 10:18 pm

  I bought this vehicle in 2000 and it put about 60,000 miles on it. It is a great driving car and still looks great, even at 5 years of age. The sound system is good, the seats are comfortable and the car drives fairly well. I have had lots of trouble with the tires, actually the wheels cause slow leaks so I put air in the tires almost as frequently as I put gas in the car, and I am on my second set of tires due to premature wear on the tires. Also the front bumper is peeling and the finish/paint is looking a little faded on the entire vehicle. I upgraded to Michelins last time and they are getting chewed up.

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  2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ultimatealtima89 - July 8 - 7:16 am

  My Dad owns a 2001 PT Cruiser Touring. I really like it and its pretty comfortable and looks nice. Ive heard for a such a small engine it has better power than expected. I do have some complaints though. First of all the gas mileage on the PT Cruiser is a joke. It is a Chrysler so it has a plastic cheap looking dashboard but it doesnt look too bad. It has no front center console or rear folding center console for rear seat passengers. The back seats are uncomfortable because they are very straight and not reclined back. The rear power window buttons are basically on the ground so anything on the ground can roll the window down without you knowing. Other than those its very nice.

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  2004 sebring convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By unicorn - July 3 - 11:09 am

  for a4-cylinder, it has a lot of get up and go. Very fun to drive, a lot of leg room also. Nice stereo system, and it drives like a dream.

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  Would do it different if I could - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By hartz425 - July 2 - 10:32 pm

  Great looking car both inside and out, nice dash and I liked the style it has. That is where is all stops, I road noise is like driving a pick up truck, you feel every bump and crack in the road, very disappointing in these area. Fuel ecomomy has run 20 combine highway and city, I thought that would be better for a V6, inside is comfortable, the AC is bad also, but everything is black inside, another mistake, rotors are always rusting and making a mess on the garage floor. In short I can not wait until I get back to a Lincoln, have not had a Chrsyler for 32 years and hope never to have another

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  Luxury at great price - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By coach_graham - July 2 - 5:27 pm

  I have had this car for 2.5 years and 24000 miles. The only thing Ive replaced is the tires. This car is well built, reliable, and extremely comfortable. This is a luxury car at a very affordable price.

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  Buy it youll like it - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By even13 - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car used with 18K miles for my wife, she shops a lot and needed something to haul her "stuff" around, I have always liked the body style so it was an easy sell it now has 60k. I find that I enjoy driving the car it handles well, power isnt what you buy one of these for but it had enough to get my first ticket in 30 plus years, my other car is a 2001 mustang go figure, the PT is a great little car for the money fun to drive just wish the mileage was better. I get 23 to 25 mpg

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  Nice, but could have been better - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Mark Sarsfield - June 30 - 5:05 pm

  This is a nice car. Built like a tank. Almost as heavy as one, too. Engine is under-powered, though, and is shoe-horned into the car. This makes it hard to work on engine components, which I have done several times. Tranny also hesitates to shift when you floor it. You practically red-line before it goes into the next gear. Avg. fuel economy for a V6. For the amount of driving that I do, I have to fill the 16-gallon tank up about once a week. Body and paint are in great shape, except for some minor dings on the doors from inconsiderate shoppers/neighbors/coworkers and a few tiny rust bubbles on the very tip of the hood from rocks flying up on the highway.

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  300 M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Linda - June 29 - 9:46 pm

  This car has had alot of problems:AC, compressor, emergency flashers that come on by themselves, flickering headlights, courtesy lightcovers coming off, power windows that dont work (1 actually shattered and had to be replaced)and backing up very fast without the drivers foot even on the pedal and the paint has faded from red to pink.

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  Excellent Vehicle - Expensive to Repair - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By MN_LXi_Pilot - June 28 - 10:22 pm

  This is the best car I have EVER owned, and Ive owned a few in my short time. Performs relatively well, although the 2.5L V6 is anemic at around 160 HP. Handling is great, performs well is most situations, but does tend to exhibit slight understeer qualities, but the length of the wheelbase helps to keep it contained. Now I have over 165,000 miles on it... and these were not your putt putt grandma miles either... I beat the crap out of my cars. Dont feel bad though because I do take care of them, obviously. 150000 before I needed to replace the infamous A604 atransmission. Even now with 165000 it runs just as strong as when I bought it. "Dime" repairs now... time to sell. Ill miss it

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  So far so good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By atexasjay - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car and, though expensive, a good deal can be had if you look around a little. Great to drive and lots of safety features. The blind spot people keep bringing up isnt a big problem if you set your mirrors properly.