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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  Great Value for the Money! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Carl J. - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my first convertible and I am very happy with it. I have 70000 miles on it and it looks as good as when it was new. Very few problems with the car, all were minor. Still no leaks. The trunk is great for a convertible and the back seats actually are comfortable. I keep thinking about a new car, but cant bring myself to get rid of it. On the downside, it could use a few more horses, but the car is very reliable. The top is still in great sheape. It still turns heads!

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  Enjoying my blue coupe - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Kimchee - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have been pleased with the car, but there are a couple of buggy things about it. My car doors lock on their own after I leave the vehicle and the dealership said it cant be reprogrammed. So everytime I need to get in my car in my garage I have to unlock the doors again. I also had to have a new instrument cluster installed because the tachometer was working sporadically. The dealer couldnt set my mileage on the new odometer, so now I have miles on the odometer with the REAL miles on a sticker on the inside drivers door. Other than that, I have been pleased with the car and it really is a head turner.

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  Pang of Regret - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By NickAZ - July 8 - 2:00 am

  After nearly 6000 miles we find that while its fun to drive and gets comments for its sharp looks, the Pacifica has some design and quality control problems.The electronic climate control panel blinks out(waited 4 weeks for new parts),there was a "cracking" sound when the wheel was turned hard left or right (dealer took 10 days to fix),and theres another "cracking" sound when shifting. Dealer said that all Pacifica parts are taking a long time to get in. Not satisfied like we should be for a car in the Mercedes family and that is over $30,000. Probably should have forked over a little more and bought the Lexus SUV.

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  So far, so good - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By qtbubbette - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car due to being pressured by my brother, who sold vehicles at the place I bought the car. It came fully loaded and included a pretty hefty price tag, but I am so glad that I did! I love this car!

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  300 Touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Merriment1 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Love the car, would not buy anything less then the Touring model. The size of this car is great, but a smaller engine and you would never get up to speed. The interior is great but kind of plain. This is a big car!!!

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  Pretty Good Deal - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Alices 300M Special - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I like my 300M Special. It has a lot of great features. I dont agree with Edmunds statement that the interior is dated.

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  This was a nice car - 1993 Chrysler Concorde
  By andold - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Just traded this in on a new Infiniti I35. Bought it in 1998 with 85,000 miles on it - trraded in with 143,000. This car has been a pleasure to own - had all options and the 3.5 L engine. Never had any trouble that one would not expect, except the air quit working about 3 years ago (I rarely used it any way). Cruise all day 75 mph and get 27+mpg doing it! Mpg not so good arounf town (17). Surprisingly nimple, great pick up, very comfortable, nice styling. Nver had any serious mechanical problems did have to replace a water pump and the automatic antenna. Did have some rust...but all in all, this was an excellent value.

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  Love my 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By whistfully - June 18 - 11:56 pm

  As a widow, not knowing much about cars, I depend on my dealership a lot. My 300 is leased and I have free oil changes every three months which is wonderful. I know they will watch everything going on with my car and be honest about any problems should there be any. I love driving my 300, just as I loved driving my Sebring convertibles in the past. But unlike other cars Ive had, the 300 is super confortable, it takes the bumps in the road with ease, I feel safe inside with all the air bags and GPS, and I love the metal flaked paint and sun roof. A little piece of heaven.

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  Great value - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob Campbell - June 16 - 6:40 am

  VERY VERSATLE...fun to drive. A mix of between a station wagon and a mini van. Priced to sell...a BARGAIN for the quality.

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  My thoughts of the 2002 300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Gorn - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 300M Special for 2 years. I gave me a compromise between having a fun car to drive and being able to haul the family around. Service from the dealership has been great with one exception. They didnt do a thorough review of the car before it was delivered to me. The air didnt work