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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  2007 Sebring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chris - May 18 - 9:21 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used a year ago and since then had nothing but nightmares. After a month of having it the shifter was stuck in park and had to be towed to dealership. They had the car for a week because the part was not in stock. The engine sounds very whiny and the brakes make alot of grinding sounds. Now with 40k on it the alternator went out on me. I have been calling around and told it would take 3-7 days to get it in and the cost is almost $400. When I called the dealership and asked why this car is having so many problems they said I have never heard of them having any issues. I would never buy a chrysler again.

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  Dream cruser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jeggler - May 18 - 10:00 am

  After returning from overseas duty I purchased a Dream Cruser and took a 8000 mile trip in one week. After seting off with my two young boy on a camping trip toMtRushmore,Yellowstone, Stanley and Boise Idaho, Grand Canyon and the panhandle of Florida befor returning to Oklahoma City The car was flawless! I avradged 24 MPG, The manual shift was tight and came in handy through the canyons of the northwest states. The car has enoygh power to get your hart going. The sport handling was much better than expected. This car is full of suprises I can hall lts of camping gear and three people without a roof rack and the turbo just asked for more.

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  Curse of a car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By juliarose - May 18 - 1:27 am

  I got this car in 2006 from my aunt who had bought it new in 2001. Before she gave it to me (luckily I didnt pay anything for it), she had MANY things replaced. The car is poorly engineered, any work done to it is a pain because of the constricted space in the engine. Since I have had the car, every 2-3 months something huge goes wrong with it. The things I have had done since I have had it: 2 radiators, 2 coolant fans, new wheels because they were leaking and causing my tires to go flat, shocks, timing belt, brakes, head gasket, fuel pump, water pump, thermostat (engine overheats, AC broke, fog lights wouldnt go out (removed the fuse box), hatch broke twice. Gas mileage sucks too! Awful.

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  Fuel Economy - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joe - May 17 - 6:17 pm

  Weve been blown away by the fuel economy. Highway has been 34 - 37 MPG, while highway-city combined is around 28 MPG. We find it very comfortable to drive.

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  Dead Engine - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Chargers - May 17 - 11:43 am

  Have loved this car for its size and comfort for many years, however have also lived with the problems for many years too! Bought in 1999 with 10,000 miles. Headlight grommets started coming off a long time ago, lived with it. Been hit on the head with the trunk after a few years, replaced lifts. Dash and lights have been flickering bright & dim for many years, figured it was not worth paying to have researched, so we have lived with that. Back and side windows stopped working a few years ago, lived with that, until my driver side completely died, put in over $1,000 last year to fix those, since the air died also. Now, now with no warning, the Engine just Died!

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  enjoy - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Tim Gordon - May 17 - 4:43 am

  This nimble little car is not only comfortable with terrific handling, but is certainly a head-turner with its retro design. I always get a lot or praise on its looks..

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  A true performance sedan - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Greg - May 16 - 10:24 pm

  The Chrysler 300 SRT 8 takes performance too a whole new level. I previously owned a 300 C and I thought it was impresive but the SRT8 goes to another level. I love the sport/muscle car performance and also all of the luxuries of a world class sedan.

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  Wish I knew how expensive it would be to repair - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sim40son - May 15 - 10:42 pm

  I have had this car since 2007, it was fine for the 1st year but I had to put brakes on a fairly new car. Have to buy new tires all the time it wears them out, new brakes every year because of the ceramic brake pads bad design. wiring harness went and something else that was not suppose to ever go bad, chrysler paid for that. I have had to put new wheel bearings on, when the timing belt brakes it takes out the whole housing expensive, even a tune up is outrageous. I am reviewing cars this time. I like my PT cruiser, but I do not like the huge expense of repairs, chrysler parts are expensive. My mechanic told me that chylsers are very expensive to repair. wish I new ahead of time.

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  What Problems???? - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Phill - May 15 - 7:54 pm

  I have owned my Pacifica for almost two years and it has never had to go back to the dealer. I give it regular maintenance and it drives like a dream. I use the car for everything and I average about 22 mpg (Not too many long hauls in Hawaii). It gets up to speed quickly and stops quickly and straight. I have experienced the chatter of the trans between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 1st at slow speed and that Chrysler "cure" was a flash to the engine computer. I have not taken it to the dealer as I dont want it to end up worse than it started. I have not had the opportunity to speak to other owners as Pacificas are not that prevalent here.

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  good car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By shorty - May 15 - 8:58 am

  I have the hardtop, and I really have no complaints for the money you cant beat it,