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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  GOING BACK TO GM - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Disappointed - January 17 - 3:35 pm

  Had an Olds for 10 years w/NO problems. Im already looking to dump this Sebring. While so far its running fine, Ive had stupid little things to deal with. My odometer light has gone out, the cigarette lighter wouldnt charge my cell phone and now the cylinder has totally come out in one piece. To fix these little things requires a full dismantle of the front dash. Had an idiot light regarding fuel come on recently too and reset itself after 20 starts. What that was about - still dont know. And the horn on this car stinks. Can give it a good lean while the car is parked and not running but try to do that while driving and it gives off a staccato toot that hardly gets you heard.

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  04 Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RetiredPT - January 16 - 12:13 am

  Ive had to make 2 repairs The lower control arm bushing at around 52,000 cost $530 and the cooling fan at 67000 $900. I dont think these items should have worn out at the low mileage.

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  bought it used and it is perfect - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By kev1049 - January 15 - 1:41 pm

  The wear of the car is great inside and out but I noticed some paint defect on the front bumper. This car make me feel like every one is looking at you.

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  GTC 5-Speed - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By David Sanders - January 14 - 6:37 pm

  I have had my GTC for a year and a half. Its a great car, fun to drive. It was a Chrysler Executive Vehicle that was never titled until I bought it. I have put 25,000 miles on it since I got it. It drives great and I love the 5-speed. The interior is a little plain though. It would be nice to have pockets on the backs of the seats for maps, etc. I have not had ANY trouble with the car at all. I have only had it into the dealership once and that was because the passenger window was sluggish when putting down the top. It wasnt all the way down when the top was!

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  Dont do it - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim - January 14 - 5:28 pm

  I rolled the dice and hoped I wouldnt have trouble, I was persistent at dealer during warranty and got water pump, power steering pump, alternator replaced. Electrical problems cost $800 after warranty. Never again.

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  My PT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Su-z Q - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The really only poor feature on this vehicle is the poor gas milage. It says 21mpg for city, thats what we get highway on trips. For city it usually runs anywhere fron 14mpg to 17mpg. I feel for a 4 cyl, thats VERY POOR. It is not a turbo, either.

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  Poor Quality Control - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Brad0487 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Cyl head leaked oil from day one. Took Chrysler & dealer over 30 days to diagnose & repair. At 4000 miles I found CV joint boot leaking greese. Took 2 weeks to order part & 3 days to fix.

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  Just right 4 me - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Grishelda Bradley - January 11 - 1:12 am

  Great sedan car, perfect in size for me. Good gas mileage. Cute and sleek....just right for me!

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  Very Comfortable - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cleary - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Have only had this car a few weeks, but it is very comfortable to drive compared to the mini-van we had, and my husband (who is well over 6 feet tall) loves the head and leg room in both the front and back seats. Not much cargo space at all but if you only have two kids like us, the rear seats fold down and provides more room.

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  PT Cruiser Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By texas lady - January 6 - 1:43 am

  The way the trunk lid opens could be improved. My butt is actually sticking out to the public as I have to bend over to put my things into the trunk. Gas mileage is not as good as one would think with it being a small car with a four cylinder. I average 19 around town and 22/24 on the highway. Fun car to drive. I absolutely love my convertible top. Easy to put down and back up.