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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  03 PT CRUISER - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Phillip E. Taylor - September 3 - 4:30 pm

  At 75 miles, day after purchase, transmission required total rebuild (overdrive hub seal leaked and burned up clutches). At approx. 35k, first battery was replaced under warranty. Since then, two more batteries have been installed, most recent was less than a year old. We discovered, just after 70k, where extended warranty expired, that problem stemmed from fog light switch WONT turn off! We have hence unplugged fog lights, but indicator light on dashboard is always on. Also, transmission required another rebuild at 50k, w/$100 deductible. Also, there is a power steering fluid leak, requiring daily fill-up. Ign. key cyl. wont always turn on & column wont lock w/key removed. TIRED OF THIS!!

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  Chrysler Auto Trans Stink - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By dadof3 - August 22 - 8:15 am

  Everything was humming along smoothly for three years, until 68K miles. Then the tranny leaves my wife and three kids stranded on a country road. Luckily it was under warranty, but they rebuilt the old crummy tranny instead of putting in a new one. Predictably, a year later at 88K the torque converter locks up 150 miles from home. I have a 2000 Neon with a manual tranny thats one of the best cars Ive ever owned, but I will never, NEVER buy another Chrysler product with an auto trans. Ive read too many bad things about them. I cant trust a company that will not fix a widespread problem on one of its top-selling vehicles. Thats a sign of a company that has contempt for its customers.

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  Dont Buy American - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rhodes - August 15 - 4:20 pm

  I so want to support American-made cars....but when the builders dont support the buyers...there is a problem. HOW TO CLEAN THE SEATS: Use Woolite Oxyclean Spray...it removes all stains and makes the seats look new again. Ive had this car at the dealership too many times (thank God I have a warranty). Would not recommend this car to consumers. Overpriced new...and taking a BIG chance buying it used. Lastly, its a gas guzzler.

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  What was I thinking? - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By What was I thinking? - August 13 - 1:00 am

  I have a 2006 PT. The gas mileage is robbing me blind. I had only had the car for 4 months when the air condition may the car run hot. I would have to pull over for it to cool off. I was stuck out of town when it first happened. I missed 2 day of work. The steering wheel shakes. Ive had the tires rotated and aligned. I say it at least once a day that I hate this car.

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  After first year only so-so - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Tacker - July 31 - 1:22 am

  After the first year, I am not so satisfied. Came with defective ball joints (brake = thunk!), and a rattle that the dealer had to jimmy-rig to fix. Does drive OK, but feels sluggish. Suppose it handles like any other SUV. Blind spots are annoying. Paint on the plastic parts is really of low quality and tiny dings cause missing paint that peels more and more. Horrible gas mileage for a V6 (12-14 MPG in city). No space for any cargo with 3rd seat up. Very disappointing, will probably sell before warranty is up.

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  Overhyped - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dave h - July 7 - 3:05 pm

  The Chrysler 300 is the most over hyped car in the past couple of years. Last winter it seemed to be one of the worst cars on the road for handling snow and ice. It is especially poor for the size and weight of the car. Visibility is also very poor.

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  Former Sebring Owner - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dmockensturm - June 26 - 12:23 pm

  This car was in the shop every three months the entire time we owned it. It was a horrible purchase.

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  Lemon - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chris - June 19 - 2:33 pm

  Ive had this car less than two years and have replaced many parts. So far Ive replaced all new rotors, brakes, 9 headlights, 2 turn signals, 2 brake lights, and fan control. I just found out I need new shocks now, and the list goes on. In all the years I have been driving I have never had a problem car like this. All my friends also say they have had issues with their Sebrings. Im going straight to a Honda dealership to get a real car.

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  Turned me off chrysler forever - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Cheryl - June 2 - 2:47 pm

  AC works when it wants to, no problem can be found horrible de-fogger plastic around outside of windows shrunk and split then came off within a year after I bought the car AC plastic control knobs cracked and came off for a while when I stepped on the brakes the radio quit front left sway bar joint needs replacing every couple of years since it cant be lubed rear right break cyl. has broken twice silver off of door strips by 1999, very poor acceleration. Overall a lousy car, and a good reason to avoid chrysler in the future. And they wonder why we dont buy American car brands.

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  PT l loser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sucker - May 4 - 3:06 am

  Car is fun to drive but gas mileage is lousy and Chryslers customer service sucks. I will never buy a Chrysler again because they do not respect their customers even though they make some very interesting fun cars