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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  I hope it is just ours! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By skidsmadawg - June 2 - 11:03 pm

  We picked up our 2005 FWD Touring Pacifica in July. The car has less than 4k miles on the clock, and it has been in the shop more than 8 times! This thing just has one problem after another! Chrysler is luckey we leased this Pacifica, otherwise, they would have by now, either givin us our money back, or replaced the car! Also, the Sound System is HORRIBLE!!! It is nothing like any oher DCX car i have rode in, and Is it just me, or is there a horrible blind spot on the car?

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  Ive said this before... - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By OhNOO! - May 16 - 7:01 pm

  But this time I promise never to buy another piece of c**p from Chrysler ever again! Antiquated engine and transmission. Lumber wagon ride and handling, really poor mileage from the very old design PUSHROD engine that has been around since 1989! And talk about quality, it is not anywhere to be found! Misfitting dashboard, poor assembly, mismatched colors, really bad leather that appears fake in the way it wears and fades. We bought it new and the depreciation really hit hard. Sold it for pennys on the dollar! Avoid at all costs, it does not even belong in a rental car fleet!

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  Worst Car Ever - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By nat9 - April 27 - 11:19 am

  This car is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. Several ongoing challenges; I have had to change camshaft sensor, powersteering line, window motors would constantly stick and windows wouldn,t move. Terrible with gas, I have to fill my tank twice per week. A/C stopped working after one year, only blows hot air. This car has cost me so much money. I purchased this car January 2006 and have owned it almost 5yrs. When I first purchased this car I felt it was too soon to write a review. Very dissapointed that I will need to purchase a new car again. When I am driving on the highway, i feel like the wind will blow the car away because of the flimsy, lite material it is made of.

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  2006 Atlanta sebring review - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By JIm Dotson - April 25 - 3:51 pm

  Transmission has always had an abrupt downshift that the dealer says is common. The car is built well but a bit underpowered for a 6 cylinder.

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  Stuck with it. - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By l3ri - March 29 - 10:45 pm

  I got this car 2 years ago, used. Had 60k. Not bad for the price I paid. A couple months into owning the car, I noticed a slight knocking in the engine. I took it back to the dealer to get checked out. I was told there were no problems, everything was working fine. Six months later, car overheated and had to have the water manifold replaced. Seemed ok afterwards. Yet, a couple months after, more problems. The window control panel broke twice. Heat blower stopped working. Even with regular oil changes, the engine died. $2900 to replace, and only worth $3000. Chrysler needs to put more effort into making sure they are selling a quality product.

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  An Ominous Voice - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mr. Dissappointed - March 22 - 8:38 pm

  Where do I begin? I bought the car in 2006, and rarely drive it. It has only 8000 miles of driving at this time. The gravel shield has fallen off - protected under the warranty. Now the Front End Bumper has completely fallen off as a result of the low to the ground design, when parking in stalls and approaching the parking stop. I have to pay $2600 to have it fix. I blame myself-for trying to spur the US Economy and not following my orig. feelings of buying a Non US vehicle. I would like to sell it - but have about 6k invested in after market products and services. I like the style of the car and the okay with the interior comfort. I will be getting rid of it this coming year. What a waste?

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  never buy another one - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By marty - March 20 - 2:05 pm

  the gas mileage needs to be better then 14/21 with the v6 -- to much wind noise

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  Dont get one - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By John, NY - March 17 - 12:57 am

  Everything was very poor. I wish I had ordered a different vehicle. I am stuck with it as the residual is so low, that it may still be negative when the loan is paid off

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  Wish I Never... - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By CB - March 16 - 11:27 pm

  I should have have bought a Toyota. This car has 0 power, extremely loud road noise, sounds like the windows are always cracked open. Only reason I got it was wife love the look. Mileage terrible. Hard to say something nice about this car except its pretty on the outside. Consider carefully before purchasing this car.

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  Where Do I Start? - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By DESTINY1SEPT - February 19 - 3:51 pm

  I bought this car in a hurry when the transmission on my old car gave out. I needed a car ASAP, so I didnt take a lot of time to look around. BIG MISTAKE! The first few months I had it the cow on the hood flew off in the highway, luckily it didnt hit anyone. Weeks after I bought it the back seat windows stopped working, will not raise up and down. My engine and transmission light come on every other week, have to put fluid in it all the time. Both front door handles are broken off. Top overhead lights dont work. CD player stopped working a year after I bought it. And just last week my window got off track for the second time, and the glass shattered all over me. NEVER BUY A CRYSLER!!!!