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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  The Greatest Car I have ever owned! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Limited Edition Turb - June 10 - 12:36 pm

  This little car is like a baby to me! It looks so great and has everybody looking at it. The construction of the car is wonderful. It rides like a dream and I feel it is the best car I have ever owned! Highly recommended!

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  Attention to detail? - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By BioMan - June 10 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car for roadtrips and it performs quite well in that respect. Mileage is a little concerning around town (~18mpg) but on the hwy is quite nice (~26mpg). This car is soooo smooth and powerfull its almost too easy to speed. But whats with the 110mph speed limiter? My biggest gripe with the 300M is in its interior quiality. Cheap plasic pieces that dont quite fit together produce annoying rattles in the dash, doors and headliner. Maybe Chrysler should speak to the folks at Audi about this issue... Overall a good touring car for those who like high speeds and a roomy comfortable interior.

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  My green money pit!!! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By atms27 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used at 84,000 miles in 2002. Things that went out in less than 2 year time period: power steering pump, alternator, starter (x2), radio stopped working, tape player stopped working, it leaked coolant, (I would have to add it once a month at least. Once at 100,000 miles and again at 120,000 miles, there transmission problems. It barely made it to the dealership to be traded in at 120,000 miles only to find out that it was worth almost nothing because the lit numbers for the odometer reading only lit up 20% of the time. Its a good thing I had tripple a! I used it often!!!!

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  Original Owner - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By LegalEagle - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I am the original owner and took care of it since day 1. Problems with brakes needing replaced every three months or so after 36,000. Has over 105,000 and am now having problems ... distributor needs replaced, tune up cost $600, did not pass emissions testin, engine idles rough, had to replace electonic circuit board because tach and odometer stopped working ($600 repair). Stereo shorts out. Parts are expensive but the car is fun to drive. I will be selling within the next 6 months and do not plan to buy another. Too expensive to maintain.

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  Not as good as the original - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SandiH - June 3 - 4:10 pm

  I had a 2001 PT wagon, which I absolutely loved! Traded it in for the convertible, and was very disappointed. New turbo engine was great, but I found I really missed the cargo room of the original. Even taking convertible into account, the trunk is VERY poorly designed and hard to access -- even for weekly chores like groceries. Also found the seatbelt uncomfortable -- hit me on the neck, and isnt adjustable. Im 55, and felt as if the drivers seat had to be pushed way forward to reach the clutch. Sad to say, after just 6 months I traded it in (at a loss of $9,000 in just 6 mos! So much for holding its value!) for a Lexus RX330.

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  Pseudo-Sport Near Luxury - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By MW1000 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  V6 is flawless at 80k miles with 20-30 mpg, decent power (160hp) but not great. Trans was rebuilt already. Handles like a real sports car, yet soaks up rough pavement. Great looks! Front spoiler is too low, scrapes driveways and hits parking blocks. Side windows seal poorly. Ive been using it as a delivery car for the past 13k miles without any real problems except the front brakes make noise despite repeated attempts to fix them. Tune-up is a pain to do. Timing belt MUST be replaced every 60k miles.

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  Surprisingly satisfying vehicle - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By flyboyleo - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive had many company and personal vehicles. Chrysler products are usually well engineered but lacking in esthetics and somewhat cheap in the interiors. This car is very comfortable,well made,well fitted,nicely finished, spirited, and a lot of fun to drive all the time. I am quite impressed and recommend it highly.

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  My first love affair but on wheels! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pedro - May 26 - 9:08 am

  Since I purchased my vehicle, it has worked in an excellent manner. I love how much space this car offers in its trunk! If you ever need more space, you can always fold the rear seat and get even more room! The stereo speakers sound nice and my stereo came with the AUX input so I can connect my phone to stream my Spotify playlists. The interior is gray so it can get dirty at times although I dont struggle with keeping it tidy. The only things I would have liked to see on this car would be better fuel mileage (I average around 24 in city and 26 in highway) and it can have loud cabin noise whenever I have to drive on train tracks. As for repairs, Ive only had to replace all my brakes since it made a screeching sound but if you keep it on constant watch, itll take care of you! Id recommend this retro ride to anyone and it even beats a Trax in terms of practicality in my opinion. Ill even want to buy a second PT Cruiser because it has been a reliable ride and I enjoy its practicality that the interior provides.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By lvly324 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for almost a month. It is a very nice car which gets a lot of attention.

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  Dependable - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By mspear - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and beside the usual recalls (on new models), I have not had any major problems. Through the years, it has done great on snow and ice, and wet driving. I think this car is comfortable to drive, but my husband doesnt agree. The car is better suited for an average women or small man. My husband feels crowded in the car and my dad cannot even get in the car. If my car didnt have so many miles on it (I put 40 miles on per day, approx.)I would keep it, but its getting time to think of replacing. I would recommend this car to anyone, as long as you take care of it.