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:

• 

  PT CRUISER - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LM - May 22 - 4:00 pm

  WOW!!! Cant say enough positive things about this car. I purchased new 3/2005 changed the oil every 3 to 4,000. I have 185,000 miles on her and she purrs like a kitten. Ive replaced brakes twice, tires 3 times and replaced rear shocks. My fault for using it like a truck. Thats it. I havent had this type of reliability from my Honda CR-V. What a work horse! Couldnt be more satisfied for the money.

• 

  2Cool - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob and Ruby - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We took the backseats out, loaded it up with everything but the sink and drove to the coast 350 miles away. It handled great on the Hwy, mileage could have been better, and never missed a beat at 70 MPH. We love this car. We have a lot of hills to navigate in our area and snow can be a problem. My wife drives it with confidence, and thats saying a lot.

• 

  Cat with a PT Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jamie Clemons - May 21 - 12:26 am

  We go a used PT Cruiser for a steal and have not had any major problems with it. We really enjoy driving it. It is like any other car you have to take care of it. It has all sorts of bells and whistles power everything and a moon roof. Its comfortable and fun and me and my wife both like it.

• 

  Concord Emissions - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By bill m - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Electrical problems: Windshield wiper intermittent problem in cold weather. Oxygen sensors - replaced about 7 in 123k miles. Lots of engine warning lights. Requested meeting with regional at rep on computer problems. Would not setup. Manager of Barton Chrysler - Union City GA. advised that I had over 100k miles - should expect to have car in for problems every three months or so! Have owned 5 Chrysler products. This has required the most repairs of any car owned since 1959.

• 

  Breaking - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By RobNAUTICA - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Good car, but i got it in the middle of an aging period. Its gonna nickle and dime me to death unless i get rid of it. The top broke, windows/door do not sit correctly. New parts are beyond expensive. Do not purchase this car unless you have money to spend on repairs

• 

  Mediocre - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mike Fechtel - May 16 - 9:50 am

  This Vehicle is overrated.Lots of little things missing that I had in my previous vehicle (2002 Grand marquis) Road noise is excessive.

• 

  eye catcher - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By G Ellenberger - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Car am radio is a disapointment,when scanning only 5 stations lock in and this is the 2800.00 navagation radio.This car pulls deadly to the right and we were told as of now it has no fix for it, it could be a bolt problem but they arenot to sure how to fix it. As of now they are ordering us another car.Other than these 2 problems the car is beautifull and a real eye catcher.People talk to us non stop about the car when we are out and about.

• 

  PT Just Cruises - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Uncle Al - May 13 - 8:30 pm

  Great looks, Great value, great uses,but it needs more get-up-and go. An add on supercharger for a nominal charge would be great. Also wonder what 2002 owners, before the 7yr-100,000 warranty extension, can do to find out if they are included- retroactivly.

• 

  We love it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By D Mays - May 11 - 8:53 pm

  We have 2 children, one of which is at the age where she wants to have friends along. We needed a vehicle that could comfortably hold 6 people, yet we didnt want a mini-van. This is the ideal vehicle for this!

• 

  Good Value For the Price - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By kingpbk - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a car that was sporty yet had room for more than two people. Compared the 300M to Lincoln LS and Lexus. Although those cars are considered exceptional, the 300M was by far the best bang for the buck. Had some Goodyear tire issues that got resolved, they were causing a slight pull to the right. They need to improve upon the molding around the doors, doesnt seem to fit very well.