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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  Sebring LXI - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By anne - November 18 - 2:00 am

  One thing I notice is it is inconvient to put a CD into the playerwhen the car is in park or reverse There is not enough room meaning you have to move around the gear shift.Nocup holders, seats hard. hard to seeout of rear window due to the rear coming up to high.1 cupholder that the car did offer fell apart.At 65k I notice the trasmission to be "slipping".It doesnt seem to shift correctly.the passanger door needs to aligned which could cost $300it doesnt shut right when the window is up.BIG PROBLEM window needs to be down in order to close properly. Does the sensor in the rear view mirror really work?

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  fun to drive - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lew - November 17 - 2:19 pm

  with the turbo acceleration is QUICK !!! gas mileage is ok, handling and manueverability is very good, spacious interior. visibility is good. used prices are very fair for these vehicles and i wouldnt be scared of high mileage pts if they have been maintained.

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  Hope youre a shade tree mechanic - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dadto5 - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought with 57,000. In the 57,000 miles since: new elec cooling fan $600 dealership ($90 rock auto), fog lights wont turn off (pulled fuse), front window switch failed ($45 ebay), brakes 3 times (only $65 done myself), whole new front suspension $575, new transmission @ 110,000 miles $1700. Timing chain will need done by 117,000 or the engine will fail $475, new water pump ($65 done myself), chrome alloy rims look great but bend easily. I dont expect a car with 114,000 to be free to operate. But everyone Ive talked to cant believe my transmission lasted that long. Front suspension needs work every 30,000 miles. Arm rest are to low to be useful. 16-19 mpg, but Im used to 10 in my truck

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  Nice... I wonder what will break next? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J. Campbell - November 16 - 3:10 am

  First, Id like to say that In general I like the fit and finsh, styling, ride, comfort, features, etc. of this vehicle. Unfortunately, this thing has had more warranty issues and recalls than ALL of the other vehicles that I have owned COMBINED. Here is a brief list of SOME of the things that have required attention: Rear liquid-filled engine mount- split open and fluid leaked out. Fuel guage- would drop to empty for no reason,then return. EGR valve blew apart and created an exhaust leak. PCM wiring harness- recall. DVD screen- replaced due to bad pixels. A/C control panel-replaced. Dual Zone Climate Control- Temperature on right/left side 5 Deg. different when set @ the same temperature...

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  CAPT JACKS 300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By CAPT JACK - November 14 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR,DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR,FEATURE FOR FEATURE ONE OF THE BEST VALUES OUT THERE. FIT & FINISH COULD BE BETTER,NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS THE IMPORTS.

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  Cruiser--my first new car!!!! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Elizabeth - November 11 - 6:23 pm

  This was my first new car! I love my car, although some people said it was an "old lady car." I bought it to celebrate graduation a year ago and the only thing that bugs me about the car is that it is not really comfy on road trips.

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  New owner - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By mason - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I just brought the car and love it. Im 65 and have no problem fitting in it and its one of the best riding cars Ive ever had.

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  Dont believe all you read - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By bruiser - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Drove everything out there, SUVs,midsize sedans and entry level luxury and for the money the Sebring is hard to beat. Nice body,tight handling,powerful engine(V-6),roomy interior and thousands less than the competition.Read all the put-downs about the Sebring but my advice is drive one and see for yourself. Compare it to the Camry,Altima and Passat and look at the handling,ride,quietness,power,interior room and the looks. THEN look at the cost.Easy decision for me.

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  my first 4 door grown up car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By diane - November 2 - 12:56 am

  my only disappointment was fuel economy. Its is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. my back is even improving....

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  Nice car - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Abstar99 - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Not the best looking car but sill a great car to drive. Unbelievable in the snow and ice.