4 Star Reviews for Chrysler

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.39/5 Average
7,767 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 1381 through 1390 of 7,767.00
  • The Gangsters Helped - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    Attitude, humor and styling are what this vehicle is all about. PT Cruiser owners are a cult unto their own. The car is neither too big nor little. The seats are neither too hard nor soft. The engine is neither too powerful or a pussy cat. Owning a PT Cruiser is an adventure into selfish realism and being an owner of such an “AG” colored vehicle is youthful, courageous and magnificent. And that is all I have to say.

  • The ding - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
    By -

    Cramped interior, slow pick up, headlights, poor fuel economy, poor seats do not recline back far

  • Too Many Break-downs and Costly Repairs - 1997 Chrysler LHS
    By -

    I picked up payments on my LHS from my father (who wanted a new 300M). He bought the LHS new & had no problems w/ it prior to my buying it w/ 32,000 miles on the car. It did great for a while but then.... the AC went out @ 62,000 miles. Then the water pump went out causing multiple other problems at ~72,000 miles. Then at ~ 90,000 miles my transmission went out. I have so much in the car now in repairs I dont know whether to keep it or trade it in and take a huge loss. Repairs alone have cost me at least $4,000.

  • So far, so good! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
    By -

    So far, I have loved this car. I have only had it for about 3 months now but I could not have asked for more in a car for the price. If you are worried about appearance, this is a super-sexy car. Ive read several reviews complaining about the wheels bending easily, but luckily, mine came with after-market wheels off the used car lot. My only complaint is that of the low front end. I find myself braking and cringing at any little dip in the road.

  • very happy! - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
    By -

    I have owned my Concorde for 6 months now and am very happy about my purchase. The car rides extremely well and handles like a much more expensive car. My father-in-law also owns one and is considering purchasing a new one as well. The car offers a comfortable driving position, and good head and shoulder room. The low roof line limits how close you can pull up to traffic lights, where at some point, you cannot see the traffic light at all.That is the only negative I have noticed to date. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with my purchase and highly recommend this vehicle.

  • Needs more power - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
    By -

    This car looks fast, but doesnt quite perform as advertised. The 170 HP is well under what I had expected. Recently, I replaced a bent rim...and I am constantly swerving from potholes. The transmission shifts in and out of overdrive for some reason, and takes a hell of a lot of time to get into overdrive on cold mornings (the dealership says that both are "normal conditions"). The front end of this car drags on anything, so if you buy one, be sure to keep your distance from parking blocks. My next car will definately not be a Chrysler, unless someone GIVES me one....BUY FROM HONDA!!!

  • Beautiful car - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
    By -

    This car has the most luxurious interior of any other car Ive driven. It has great looks and comfort. Thats about all its got. At 55,000 Ive replaced the rotors, brakes, tie rods, transmission fluid and filter. The check engine light comes on for no reason. The power window motors have been replaced and the speakers work intermittently. Im at the mechanics every other week for some reason or another.

  • 2005 Conv. Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    The car has been nothing but fun. The windows opening with the door has been a pain here in northern Michigan. The water pump has just been replaced. But all in all it has just been fun!

  • Luxury for very little - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
    By -

    The leather interior feels luxurious as do the comfortable seats. Mine is black ext. tan int. and it looks great! I love how it looks ageless. Its 8 yrs old and still fits in with the new crowd. I enjoy having a V6 and would never consider getting anything but. Ive had a good time with the car, except for the AC problems. In 03, I had to replace the whole unit for $1200, and now its broken again. I have had electrical problems also.

  • 300M Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler 300M
    By -

    A great car. The performance and handling of this car is awesome. The style is great .

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