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:

• 

  12 Months Later - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By H BRIONES - February 16 - 8:03 pm

  We have enjoyed the convenience of our Pacifica. Great 21+ mpg on trips and 17 in the city. Love being able to carry large purchases home and save delivery charges. Many compliments on appearance. The a/c cools fast - a much needed feature in the desert southwest. This one is a "keeper."

• 

  Sebring 2002 - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ns - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with the except. The only faults are no lights in the Glove Box and a prop hood. Strange to say that on a lower class sebringThere were automatic headlights but not on mine. I dont knwow why

• 

  MY " TOY" - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Monk - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR/TRUCK A FEW WEEKS AND IT HAS BEEN BETTER THAN EXPECTED SO FAR. IT HANDLES WELL, ALTHOUGH IT COULD USE A LITTLE MORE POWER I KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT AND IT EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS

• 

  Good car for the money - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By fenjersey - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built vehicle with a well designed interior. With the 5 speed, this car has plenty of zip. Chrysler intended the Cruiser to have the 5 speed as its primary transmission, as it fits with the styling. The auto is for those who want the look but just cant figure out how to drive a stick. Its a given that an automatic will have less power and lower gas mileage. That said, this car is a great deal if you get the base model with a few add ons (power locks, windows, CD).

• 

  Some problems but overall good - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By TxJB - February 10 - 2:52 pm

  This car has been a good car. I have 168,000 miles on it so far. Ive had to replace the transmission twice. Tranny seems to only last about 50,000 miles or so. Thats been the only major problem so far. Although bushings seem to be inferior quality.

• 

  03 PTCrusier - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ALICIA - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Great little car. I live in a mountain region and travel 70miles up and down 2 mountains. This car whips around all the curves with ease.great pick up.

• 

  Love my 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By SCW - February 4 - 1:23 pm

  I love the car. It has a few interior flaws that i am unhappy with. The dash has a gap that the dealer couldnt fix. The carpet is coming untucked on passenger side.I agree with that the air conditioning is weak. The car is sooo eye catching! I have mine on 22s and tinted the windows. Every time I drive it people stare. I have people ask me what it is all the time! The Exterior is a 10.

• 

  Most fun car Ive ever had - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By David - January 31 - 10:26 pm

  Great car! Decent gas mileage (22) around town. Ive only had it on long trips about 5 times so 99% has been in town. I have the standard shift which is much more suited to this vehicle than the automatic.

• 

  Save extra for a new transmission - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By laws_69 - January 31 - 11:59 am

  I bought this car in the summer of 03 w/ an extended warranty. I had to take her in 5 or 6 times before the warranty (24,000 miles) expired for wheel bearing replacement, electronic malfunction, and brake pad problems. Im now at 63,000 miles and the gearbox is shot. The transmission shop tells me that it is common for this vehicles transmission to crap out after 50,000 miles. Ive never driven it hard, Ive always maintained the transmission with proper maintenance...and this is what I get. $1,500 for a new transmission. Start saving.

• 

  2003 PT GT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By KBzPTGT - January 29 - 2:00 am

  the day after we picked up our Electric Blue PT GT w/Autostick, we drove from MD to FL for vacation. I wasnt used to getting only 22-25 MPG. BUT, If thats the price I have to pay to drive this really fun to drive car then its worth it to me. The GT is no race car but has PLENTY of get~up~n~go with 4 adults in it. The auto stick makes it a little more driver friendly. My 2 biggest gripes are: the turning radius is as large as a 18 wheelers and its kinda hard to back up because of the large headrests. Its really to early to tell about reliability. As as of now I would rate this car well above average