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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  Stylish, reliable, mostly practical - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By amerigo88 - December 31 - 3:36 pm

  Posted 1st review 15 mos ago. Just changed oil and rotated tires - very reliable. Bought as primary car for commuting Dad. Take care of soft top - you better garage this car. Chrysler says sport bar is NOT a roll bar. Pluses: great styling, nimble, manual shift (bit notchy though), easy top operation, high truck-like seating, sturdy feel of structure, glass rear window with defroster. Minuses: Top-down means using trunk a lot and access is poor, cant see stoplights with top up, top freezes to "smart glass" on doors in winter - nearly pulled glass off track, long doors dont open wide in parking lots - better be skinny, flimsy drawer under pass seat, awful rear visibility top-up

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  Not too shabby - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By NewGuy - December 30 - 11:59 pm

  This is a fantastic vehicle for families. It has tons of interior room, rides very smooth, has gobs of power with the Hemi engine, and the MyGig system coupled with navigation and DVD is exceptional. The voice commands in this vehicle are the easiest to use of any Ive seen (several).

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  Love or Hate? - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Leon - December 30 - 1:38 am

  My wife and I fell in love with the looks inside and out on our 15th anniversary and drove it off the lot. We have noticed as others have (low fuel economy, bellowing noise with the back windows down, some obstructed view in the rear, but most of all look out at 45000 miles. Rocker arm repair will hit and with a short warranty period you are looking at $1300+ in repair costs. After some complaining about the pre-mature defect Chrylser helped out with the repair bill. Koodos for that. Now that we are going on to 50k we are feeling some trans. shifting issues, but could it be the lack of a warranty jacking with my mind. Over all to this point I like the car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By T Grabill - December 29 - 7:23 pm

  Lots of room. Love extra seats in back or fold for extra storage. Handles very well in curves. Accelerates quickly & smoothly. Adheres to slick roads like the car & road were one. One of best cars Ive owned!

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  SRT-6 Hands down the hottest Car ever! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Antonio - December 29 - 12:00 am

  I actually leased a 2004 Crossfire limited. When I gave it back I actually purchased 2 SRT-6 crossfires because I was so impressed with the 1st one. The SRT-6 crossfires are awesome vehicles. They have the sharpest styling on any car Ive ever seen. Chrysler always has great designers. The underspinnings are Daimler, and feel solid and ride with quality. You cant go wrong with these cars. Also with less than 2000 SRT-6 versions made of the coupe and ragtop, they will be worth money someday. I highly recommend this car!

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  One great convertible - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Carl K. - December 28 - 8:14 am

  This is my first convertible, and first Chrysler product in 10 years. Im so pleased with the car overall. The looks, ride, comfort, and the price. Looks like a car costing twice as much.

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  I Disagree - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ron Pool - December 27 - 2:56 pm

  I have been reading some of the reviews on this vehicle and I am glad to disagree with a lot of the negative comments. I am sorry to read that some have had disappointing experiences but for me, I couldnt ask or more. Except for having a nis-aligned top, which the dealer quickly corrected, I have been blessed with having a marvelous experience with this little car. Gas mileage is poor but thats because of the turbo engine. Which, by the way, really scoots this little gem down the road. Ive had it leased for four years and now I intend to buy it out. Those who say the warranty is faulty have a bad dealer. Talk to the regional Chrysler rep. I like this car!

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  Bad Transmission or Wind Noise - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Addison - December 27 - 2:00 am

  I must have bought the runt of the litter. From the day I bought the car there were several things that had to be fixed, incorrect bezel on the gear shift (mine has the autostick but the bezel was for the regular transmission), drivers power window motor needed replaced, drivers seat loose, and heated seats did not function. Took it on a trip to New Orleans from Indiana the first month and noticed a noise at 70mph. After several times in service, including a three week transmission re-build they determined that it was not the transmission but wind noise and could not fix the problem.

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  Good Choice - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jim Cortsen - December 24 - 12:17 pm

  We traded in a 97 De Ville. While we miss a few things from the Caddy, this has proven to be a better car than we expected. Enough amenities to satisfy us, quite comfortable & roomy. The Concord rides very nice and handles beautifully. The power of the 250HP 3.5 V6 gave us the most pleasent surprise! If I didnt know better, Id say its got as much giddy-up as the 97 Northstar had! I put some new Firestons on it, & the northern Wisconsin winter has been nicely tamed.

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  Best all around car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By GUY - December 24 - 2:13 am

  The most liked car that i have ever had .I would keep getting one except i need to haul a trailer and need something bigger.Hope i like my new 2005 dodge magnum as much,or i will go back to a pt cruiser for 2006 .