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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  Problem with Odor - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By jmatranga - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I love this car. It drives well and is very roomy. But, I have two problems that have not been fixed. One is the driver seat make ratchet noises when you move. The other is a very bad odor the car has. At first, I thought it was the new car smell. Then, when the car aged, the only smell left was a fishy odor that I hear sometimes comes from foam and plastics.

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  Enough to make me trust Chrysler . . . - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By jmmailin - July 14 - 2:00 am

  After owning a VW Dasher-fun to drive but mechanical disaster Dodge (Mitsubishi) Colt- reliable, great mileage, but small, poor acceleration, I wanted bigger w/a little style & power. Cirrus served well w/6 cyl providing extra power, comfort, surprisingly roomy interior, + decent mileage (26/30). Few probs but all expensive: computer control module, then A/C compressor, then condensor, major brake job, engine mounts went a early at 90000, but little else for 7 yrs. Extended warranty (both dealer & aftermarket) worthwhile. -Pts for hard to reach battery in driver wheel well +pts for battery lasting 5 yrs in AZ.

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  low gas mileage - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jacksmom1 - July 12 - 7:56 am

  We recently purchased a 2001 pt cruiser. We were looking for a car with better gas mileage. The window sticker said 20/25 and we could live with that but the actual gas mileage has been very irratic. We get between 16 and 22. we are comfortable in it but the gas is going to be expensive.

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  My 99 LHS - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By HLGreen2 - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Reliability is quite an issue. Anything that goes wrong has to be bought at dealership at an outrageous price. Will never have another one.

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  Satisfied New Owner! - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By cakakic - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Smooth ride on the freeway, very minimal wind and road-seam noise. The frame absorbs most of the bang and potholes from city driving (here in Tulsa we have some of the worst roads). Acceleration can seem a bit slugish at certain ranges but always has sufficient power to get you up to traffic flow in minimal time. Corners very well.

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  Class Act - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By joplav - July 3 - 4:00 pm

  Reliable, fun, safe, its mechanically reliable until the 1st timing belt change,at 128k miles, and then the upgraded belt was installed, the door locks malfunction. Otherwise, the car is the best Ive had since my driving experience. I started driving in 1971 and have owned many a Dodge,Ford,& Chevy, and one foreign, Suzuki. Especially, in the snow. It handles better than most SUVs of todays times,and most 4 X 4s. Im looking forward to my next PT, in a year or so, a 5 or 6 speed, 250hp. My finances will hopefully get better and I wont have to finance, this is whats holding me back. Economically the best overall drive Ive ever experienced. Im sold.

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  hi mom - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By longhorn1687 - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car for $12k (new!) Could do better on gas mileage but hey, its cheap.

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  Chrysler LHS 1996 - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By BizComm - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Smooth to drive, until the front suspension wears out: needing ball joints, struts, and Bushings.

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  ABS - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Krapfl - June 27 - 12:10 am

  I like the pacifica, i think its very confortable and drives very sturdy, almost better than my 03 camry sev6. But Ive had numerous problems with the ABS light turning on. Were on our 3rd repair, and it always seems to be the sensor, although I think the problem lies elswhere. We also had a stalling issue only when cruising at low speeds, usually after waiting at a light, the car seems to be in 2nd gear when this happens, with a really low RPM perhaps causing the stall. The dealership adjusted the chip to idle at a higher rpm. Water also builds on the doors, and had to punch holes in the plastic drains, very strange. Other than that, car is great, but needs a better sound system.

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  04 PT CRUISER LT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cyrus - June 25 - 1:20 am

  I am less than satisfied with the fuel economy provided by this weak 2.4 L engine. I love the options with regard to the interior configuration. My dog however, seems to strongly dislike this car. Whereas he once was eager to get into a car and go anywhere with me. Now he stares at the thing, with what seems to be to be fear.