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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  One year review, bought used - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jack in NJ - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Concorde exactly 1 yr ago. I was looking for a car for my daughter when I ran into this for $8k, 42K miles at a dealer in mint condition. What a buy! I am comparing this to my wifes Lexus so consider that when looking at my ratings. BTW, my kids prefer riding in the Concorde over the Lexus. If you are looking to buy, CHECK the brakes. Factory rotors are a problem but I knew that and factored it into my purchase price. 4 rotors & shoes cost me $750, be advised. Otherwise, no trouble (15k miles), unlike the other posts. OVER maintain Chryslers, especially the transmission. There is a front differential that gets overlooked. Bang for the buck

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  PT Cruiser Had to have it - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Had To Have it. - October 24 - 4:10 pm

  I have been a Chevy man for years, an I love old car, and then when I read this was the last year of the PT Cruiser I knew I had to have one. I love the way this car looks I love the way it drives. I just love this car.

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  PT - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tita - October 21 - 11:39 pm

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  lotsa fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By svdv1972 - October 18 - 5:50 am

  Just came back from 2200 mi road trip and just loved the performance. Seating was very comfortable with wind blowing thru hair.

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  177,000 Miles Later - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bacon777 - October 17 - 6:18 pm

  I bought this car in 2007 as a used car and got my moneys worth. I just passed the 177,000 mark and have had no serious issues but decided to trade it in after I started having my first mechanical problems. The thermostat went bad and then the heater core followed so instead of paying 800 to fix it, I decided it was time to trade it in, but 177,000 miles without any mechanical issues is impressive. Drives nice, was reliable, and fairly inexpensive but parts can be constly. I was told because it uses Mercedes parts as Mercedes owned Chrysler. Also, you have to deal with the ridicule of driving a PT Cruiser but if youre an older lady, you shouldnt have that problem

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  No Better Car For the $$ - 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By R.B. - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a new 2010 PT special edition (black and silver w/red leather seats). This PT is loaded and a blast to drive. I paid under 13K for a car stickered at $19995! (try buying a stripped HHR or Kia Soul for that!). I looked at a lot of cars and NOTHING came close to the bang for the buck that the PT has. The build quality is excellent. This is the end of production for these cars and they are sitting unsold on the lots which is sad but a real opportunity as well! Go get one!

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  my convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Vicki H - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I love the look and the styling and the room. do NOT like the way seats have to move in order to let a passenger sit in the back seat. Terrible feul economy-- 15.4 mpg. I totaled my 2004 Sebring conv. in an accident several weeks ago and I still plan on buying another one, just like it

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  Wasnt my first choice but I like it. - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chris - October 3 - 7:13 pm

  I choose the Pacifica after the deal on my first choice, the Chrysler 300, fell through. I wasnt about to pay sticker for the 300 and there were fantastic incentives on the Pacifica and I only drive Chryslers. It has turned out to be a great vehicle. The interior is actually more stylish and more luxurious then the 300. The exterior is also very well designed and I feel the Pacifica stands out among the crowd of other crossover vehicles. Performance is not the best, it always feels sluggish. It handles well for such a large heavy car. I enjoy driving it. My biggest complaint is the fuel economy, its absolutely terrible.

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  Pacifica news - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Susan P - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love driving the Pacifica. I can load 4 grandchildren and one of their mothers in it and feel reasonably safe. It took the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee with on problem.

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  I loved it but then.... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Alyssa13 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Although I love the look and ride of this car, I have had a few annoying problems with it since 11/03. Electric grid for my power windows blew after only 3 weeks. Then about 4 weeks ago (early March 2004), my power seats stopped working. Luckily they were in the position that I drive in when they stopped working. The part took 10 days to come in during which time my husband was unable to drive it due to the seat position. In the meantime I received a notice of some powertrain recall. I feel as though I have received a lemon.