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:

• 

  fun in the sun! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By steve - April 14 - 9:30 am

  my pt is one of the most enjoyable cars ive owned. the power is great;no loss of speed pulling any grade of hill. it rides well but is a little unsure in tight cornering... maybe will improve with the 215/45/17s on order. my other vehicles are mazda miata, jeep cherokee,and dodge dakota. the pt is the most diverse and used vehicle in my toy box! id recommend a pt to anyone who is looking for a fun,practicle and head-turning daily driver!

• 

  2003 dream cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Putter - April 10 - 2:03 am

  I just purchased a 2003 Dream Cruiser. I was impressed by the overall fit and finish inside. I have been a foreign car owner for many years and I am very impressed with my Cruiser. The power is substantial even going up to flagstaff (6% grade) the car handles and accelerates effortlessly and is very solid. the interior is surprisingly very versatile and plenty of room for really anything. The dog loves her backseat and has more room than my subsequent vehicle. There are a very few issues, broken fog light, not-so-great gas mileage and some fragile plastic parts (fog light housing etc). I am overall very happy with the decision to buy this car.

• 

  1999 LHS @ 170 kilometers - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Laura - April 2 - 12:29 am

  Excellence in driving, performance, comfort, styling and looks. However, it is a toss up as to what is flawed in an individual vehicle. Chrysler put out an expensive car, then walked away from any kind of responsibility to its obvious defects. Problem is, once you driven one you cant go back.

• 

  Problems disguised by beautiful exterior - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Susan Wagner - March 30 - 12:13 am

  1) Some problems with braking, nearly causing an accident with a school bus. When I tried to brake, it seemed as if the motor was not going to rev down, like it was not going to decelerate. Very scary. 2) Has a habit of hopping forward if you do not have the brake pedal pushed all the way to the floor. 3) Rear axle is very squeaky, especially when the weather is cold. 4) Brakes are very noisy and make noise most every time I brake. Very annoying.

• 

  Its Fun to Drive But!!!!! - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Cesar - March 29 - 4:01 pm

  I bought as a used car. It is really fun to drive and I lke but I had so many probles with the front end and rear suspensions. It was OK to fix these parts as I really like the car but all the parts are very expensive. I recommend to by this car brand new and if used should be in a perfect shape and condition. I love my car despite all these problems and I wont get rid of it.

• 

  great little car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTCPAUL - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy this car, funny how alot of the reviews here complain about gas mileage and power,didnt you bother to tet drive or read about the car b4 buying, you are right though gas mileage is poor and it does lack power but I knew it going in so I was not to dissappointed.

• 

  good quality - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By jwbclean - March 26 - 2:00 am

  The car is put together nicely. fit and finish wise. Easy to function. Top is very fast up or down. I was surprised for a Chrysler. You dont feel like your in a cheap car. If you consider 31k cheap. Smooth and stable. Red inferno is spectacular color when polished. I have owned about 24 cars and I am 44 years old. I put right there in the top 10

• 

  Verrry Disappointed - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sad and Broke - March 21 - 12:33 pm

  Car is a great car if you want to pay full price for limited life of the engine.The problem with this car is the unreliabilty issues with the 6.7 liter engine. I had the car checked by a Chrysler center the day before I left on vacation and the service department could find nothing wrong even though a service engine light had come on. 250 miles away from home, the engine light came back on and I was on the interstate on a Saturday with two small kids and nothing open. Rented a car for three days and another week while waiting on a part to come in.A year later at 74k miles just over warranty, the engine went. Repair shop said familiar story on these 6.7L engines. Cost $3,000 for new motor.

• 

  2005 Pacifica Limited - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ralph Cripps - March 16 - 5:13 am

  Excellent ride - Quiet and stable. Could use a little more HP but is adequate for normal driving. Gas Mileage is about 20 - but car is fairly hefty in weight. Nice fit and finish throughout.

• 

  No worries - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sidney - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We change our car from the Jeep to Chrysler PT, we pay $8000 and a warrant for another 70000miles. We think the price is worth, also it runs in good condition. We like the space inside, not like the Honda & Toyotas skinny space. The fuel consumption is reasonable too. We like it.