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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  My experience with the 07 PT Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Daniel - October 14 - 2:40 pm

  I bought my 07Cruiser touring edition in 07 and like many features of this car including: the old style look of a 1940s car, the dash board features (outside temp., compass, avg. mi. per gal., mi. till empty..etc.), good cd player, good ac and heat, unique "handle bar" on passenger side, well thought out middle console with 3 cup holders and middle storage with sliding arm rest, smooth ride, good brakes and easy gas pedal, back seats fold down and can come out for plenty of cargo room, stylish interior of textured material. Feels more upscale than you actually pay for it. I recommend this car to those who appreciate old style of cars & who want something that looks nice w/o paying alot.

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  As Good As It Gets, Fun, Fun, Fun - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wipandgail - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I ordered my PT, the first day they could be ordered, and had the 3rd one in town. It has never missed a beat. NO PROBLEMS!! NONE. As most PT owners will tell you it is a little underpowered. I have that cured with my next PT, Which is the 2003 Turbo Dream Cruiser II, which I have on order...Chrysler did their homework before making the Pt, and did it right.

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  Purrdy Thang - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Purrdy Thang - October 14 - 6:33 am

  I love the way my pt handles both in the city and on the highway. On my last road trip my pt got 40 miles to the gal.The ride is very smooth. The inside is more spacious then it appears to be.

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  Headlight Control Problems - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chips4748 - October 13 - 5:47 pm

  At 22,000 miles, new problem with auto control of head lights - set on auto, they do not go off set on auto, the are on in daylight set on manual off, they dont go off for 2-3 minutes.

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  Best kept SUV scecret! Blah Escalade! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Basenji08 - October 12 - 9:40 pm

  This is NO Durango! 2008 Aspen Limited Signature Series 4x4 - Cool Vanilla, HEMI, 28J package- aka..LOADED! I am IN LOVE with this truck. Ive had 4 back surgeries and just chucked my Toyota Sienna XLE. This is my first American car in 15 years and Im trilled. Took a LONG ride today and it was so comfortable and quiet. Loved the heated leather seats on my low back. Even with the 20" beefy tires, it just floated. No road noise to speak of. The power lift gate is super, remote start, MyGig Alpine is fantastic, even came with 12 mos. free Sirius. Listed for $42K and paid $29,400 spankin new. It was a steal! I can pay for a lot of gas with the money saved from Lexus or Caddy! THRILLED

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  not at all happy - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By unhappy dad - October 12 - 4:41 pm

  Bought the car for my wife and three kids . Over look of car great . Big issues hear AWD , car just shut off on a highway with my three kids in the car . And would not stay running for more than one minute . Dealer sent me over the edge. No help at all . This first and last Chrysler Ill ever buy . After talking to some other owners have had same problems . Upset in DAD PA

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  The car of style - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Eddie - October 11 - 2:11 pm

  What sold me was the style inside and outside, rear passenger foot room, headlights/driving lamps, and the cornering is wonderful. The 2.7 liter V6 gets the job done for the size of motor and can keep up with most of the 3.0 series engines in the market today. I get and average of 24 to 27 mpg in city and 26 to 30 on hwy which is pretty good for a V6. If you are looking for a great car to have fun in and turn heads this would be that car and a plus is it is affordable.

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  Never had a problem with this one - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sometime - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had it for over a year and have had a great time with it. The service from Bonneville is superlative. I would buy another vehicle from them.

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  2005 Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dan J - October 11 - 9:40 am

  I traded in a Nissan Pathfinder for the Pacifica and feel the Pacifica is a much better value. The comfort of the ride and the handling are much better. I also feel the standard options and price are much more competitive then the Pathfinder. The Pacifica is also much cheaper to insure because of its excellent safety record. The Pacifica does seem, however, to lack acceleration despite the 250 HP engine.

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  try the new AWD! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jeff - October 9 - 8:46 pm

  Run flat tires are probably too firm. Nav and satellite radio are fantastic! Does not come with chrome wheels (RWD model does)