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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  Quality of craftmanship - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By cscott - February 25 - 10:00 am

  The windshield leaks when it rains and headlight is already getting condensation. This leaves me with concerns of quality of the product. We only have 5500 miles on it so far. It was purchased new.

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  A Buds Opinion - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By A BUD - February 25 - 10:00 am

  Performance is normally thought of as being very objective, determined by a stop watch. But performance can also be subjective. The PT Cruiser with four adults on board going up an incline is not going to accelerate much. But the PT will usually end up at the next red light with all the "jack rabbits" it was with at the previous red light

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  PT 4 ME! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Puck - February 25 - 10:00 am

  In 16 months and over 18,000 miles Ive had absolutely no problems. The utility, style and drivability of this car makes it the most fun car Ive ever had. It is indeed "too cool to categorize".

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  Very Nice SUV - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Don - February 24 - 7:45 pm

  I am 6ft 7 300lb man with a wife and 4 chidren. I wanted a big vehicle that I could get in without breaking my neck and if I hit a bump not knock myself out. I test drove 5 other big SUVs. The only other SUV I could fit in was Ford Expedition and it was OK but it didnt do anything for me so I kept looking. My wife saw an Aspen at a dealership and asked if I would test drive it so I did and I purchased it the next day. I got the fully loaded limited. We love it. I dont have a heavy foot so when I drive I can get in the city 17mpg, on the hwy going 70 mph got 25 mpg. I think that is great for a big SUV. The Aspen is as good or better than SUVs that are a little higher in price.

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  Design - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Thomas Alston - February 24 - 7:26 pm

  Front end is too low and scrapes underneath in parking lots where chocks are used. Also, in parking areas near buildings where cement curbing and side walks exits. I dislike the gas tank. I have spilled gasoline on several occasions. Not much room to top tank off. I like the body style, the amount of interior and cargo space. Like the accessories.

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  Problems with my 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By charles lewis - February 23 - 9:10 pm

  Mileage 183,000. Engine is shot, it has a broken wrist pin. Gas gauge broken, had to replace rotors every 40,000 miles, suspension has gotten weak, car sways a lot. I am having to replace the engine, total cost: $4,200. I am not a happy camper. Period. I loved this car, hope to have put 250,000 miles on it. It did not happen! Running lights are always getting hit with debris and going out

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tfjjmc - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving my car everyday. It has style, but still has enough room for a family. The only thing I am dissapointed in the the fuel economy on the GT turbo edition. Also, if you drive on bumpy streets, I do not recommend the 16 in low profile wheels and tires. I have replaced 2 in six months. But that is no fault of the car, it is beautiful, and runs like a top.

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  Hot Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tallgirl - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I saw the cruiser in an add and had to have it...thank god a buddy of ours was in the car business and had one at his dealership....i sat up all night the night before we bought it and looked at it on the websight...i knew driving into the dealership the car was comming home with me...i was so pleasantly suprised by the car...we jumped in and discovered it was roomy and very comfy...and it handled really well...i was sold and am a fan and will continue to be....i have had the car for 4 months now and am very happy with my purchase....it draws attention everywhere i drive it....everyone who sees it loves it.....

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  Youll Love It! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Peter - February 21 - 7:29 pm

  Bought this vehicle in the middle of winter and just love it! Sitting in the drivers seat is like sitting in a cockpit of a plane. I bought the hard top and there is no indication that it is a convertible when you drive it. This car is so sexy and gets a lot of looks. The My Gig system is outstanding and there are so many other great options on the limited version. I looked at Volvo and BMW and bought my Sebring Limited hard top because it is better looking and a smoother ride. Go out and get this vehicle!

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  Dont bother - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Liz - February 21 - 3:11 pm

  Transmission leaks, has sudden stop syndrome which has happened to me on the highway and city. Gets worse when it snows or rains. Not worth the trouble