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 car!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bluefrog2 - August 1 - 3:58 pm

  I felt compelled to review based upon a touch of misinformation Ive seen out there if you want this car you should have no worries about buying a well-maintained one. I was not looking for this car but, when I found it I instantly fell in love! The car is fun to drive, plenty powerful (you wont be beating Corvettes in it - if you want to race high-power sports cars get something else), and handles much better than my BMW 330 did. Two issues Id like to speak to: the engine mechanicals are a bit loud - relax, youre not about to throw a rod! Rearward visibility obviously isnt like a mini-van, but youll acclimate to it quickly. If you want one, buy one, you be glad you did!

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  1994 Chrysler Concorde 3.5L - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By tbolt2 - July 23 - 8:26 am

  We have not had the same experience as others. With only 108,000 miles on this car in July 2011, we have had the following experiences: 1. Had to replace whole AC system at 65,000 - cost $1500. 2. Had to have two intake and two exhaust rockers in right back overhead cam replaced in 2007 at 66,500 miles. 3. Had to replace engine timing sensor in crankcase at 82,000 miles in 2008. 3. AC compressor failed again at 92,000 miles in 2009 - replaced at $650. 4. Alloy wheels every 2 to 3 years have to be taken off and oxidation removed from tire bead area to prevent air loss. Worse in winter for some reason. 5. Whole front end tie rod ends and steering linkages replaced in 2011.

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  Mileage is Terrible - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By gomer99 - July 1 - 3:57 pm

  Just traded my 2008 Silverado pickup for a more elegant puller for my travel trailer. Big mistake! The Aspen is, indeed, elegant, with all the bells and whistles. And, with a tow rating of 8900 lbs, it outpulls my truck -- and any Suburban or Expedition on the road, BUT: Mileage empty tops out at 12.5, feather-footing on country roads, and was 7.7 for towing the trailer. Looks good, but will be dumped for a diesel next week.

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  Can last forever... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By rcunning6 - May 26 - 9:34 am

  I feel very qualified to write a review on the Pacifica in that Ive had my 2004 model since April 2003 and have amassed over 277,000 miles on it. Ive been fairly consistent with routine maintenance and have had a few more significant repairs, but nothing to indicate that the vehicle cant make it to 300,000 miles. Its been relatively fun to drive, not exciting, but fun. Definitely luxurious and comfortable. Of course, the 3rd row doesnt work well for adults, but the versatility of the car with the fold down seats makes it an excellent choice for a luxury/practical/family car. If you take care of this car, it will take car of you...no regrets.

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  Favorite car thus far, but starting to show her age... - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kickkiki - May 12 - 9:44 pm

  I loved this car the moment I first drove it down the road. Actually drove 3 different Pacificas before deciding on the 06 Touring FWD (at the time I worked at a Chevy dealer and we had 3 used ones on the lot). Weve been driving this car since Feb. 08. Started with 32K & just rolled 97K early this week. We do a lot of traveling & it has always been the favorited reliable car to use. No real major issues. Do have occassional squeak in driver seat from bolster (Chrysler dealer would just adjust it & say it was corrected.Aggravating). Just recently ABS light comes on intermittently and only once actually felt a shutter in braking (as though ABS kicked in) just before lite came on. :-/

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  Love The 200-But Cuts Off &Wont Start-Only 600 Miles - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By 200fan - April 18 - 12:11 am

  We love our 200-inside out!Wherever we go people turn around & look at it to see what kind of car it is.We took it to the shop because it was cutting off on us while riding on the highway & at stoplights.They couldnt find anything & said it must be water in the gas.Funny thing is, we have a 2005 Stratus & we never had any problems like this no matter where we buy gas.So, we avoid "that" particular station & make a trip for our grandsons surgery.About 2:30 pm we thought we could leave to drive home.We tried starting our 200 for 45 min. with no success.We called our dealer which was 30 min. away & we road back home on a wrecker.We are nervous now that this will be an ongoing problem.

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  Year later still better than expected - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By mhoffman2 - April 12 - 11:35 am

  Wrote review year ago. Now with 15000 more miles, still no problems. Just washed and waxed,and vehicle with white paint still gleams like new. Now that sun is out, I dropped top, no problems. Paid $12000 for Touring model in Feb, 2009, now worth about the same price or possibly more. No regrets. May turn out to be one of better automobile purchases, even if it does suffer some future breakdown. For now,EVERYTHING is good.

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  Good, and Reliable - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By tman24 - April 11 - 12:15 pm

  I have owned this car for a year and a half. The previous owners treated it like crap, as in the oil looked like it had never been changed and the brakes ate the rotors, and there were cigarette burns in the seats. I got it for 3500 in 2009. I cleaned it out, changed the oil and brakes. Since then i havent had any problems(short of vandalism) with the car. I bought it with 54k on it. It now has 75k and it feels better actually. You cant even feel the engine running, and shifts are smooth. I do all my own maintenance so i now know the car like the back of my hand. I feel the engine will last me at least 200k(my grandma sold hers with no problems at 150k).

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  Disappointed - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By kcomstock - April 11 - 1:43 am

  The tires didnt last very long. I hate the cruise control! Very disappointed that my car worked great, and then stranded me. I find out that me along with 25,000k other owners have been stuck because car gets stuck in "Park" due to cheap plastic pin part not made from aluminum. Chrysler wont do a recall. I would like to know who to complain to. It has cost me work time. Very unexpected to have your car work perfectly then just not work at all. Im glad my college son did not take it as we discussed for his college admit day. He would have been stuck hours away from home. Chrysler wants to charge $500 for parts/labor for their mistake. They keep this in stock because of so many!

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  A great American Car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By cak737 - April 3 - 9:56 am

  I bought this 2006 TSi as a leftover in 07. It now has 60,000 miles and has not had the first problem. The reason I bought it instead of an 07 was it was priced right and loaded w/ options, and Lifetime Warranted. I have a 97 Stratus which I believe is about the same size and frame, it now has 345,000 miles w/ no major problems. And parts for these are 1/4th of parts for foreign cars. I consistently get over 30 MPG highway and thats saying something here in the Mts. of Colorado. Its fun to drive and has very crisp handling, a must in the mts. Overall a great car. Just wish the seats had more padding.