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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  I love my PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cindyc - December 23 - 12:16 pm

  Except for the not-so-fab gas mileage, I love this car. Love the looks, the aftermarket items... its all tricked out. Got rid of muffler, glasspak improved energy 110%. Have low mileage, it works well.

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  Cruzing around the USA!! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cruiser23 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I ordered my PT 6 months before the dealers could sell them (early July- 1999) and I loved it. Now at 61,000 miles and driving from Illinois to West Virginia about 2 times per year Im not sure I would buy another.... I love the classic style and the "look" you get from someone who thinks your customized cruiser kicks butt, but the overall durability is quite lacking...

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  Straight to the point - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By arthuriam - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Overall a great car.

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  Super Cool Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Funky - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, it has a real sports car look - like a Jaguar but at an affordable price and it can seat 4 in comfort, with the top down its a Super Cool Cruiser! Some of the interior bits are cheap plastic but they are on a Porch and Jaguar too! - I think what it lacks in performance and build quality it more than makes up for in style.

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  Great alternative to SUV - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sherry - December 2 - 2:26 pm

  Slightly underpowered, but overall a very comfortable riding vehicle the integrated Video system fabulous except when screen is down you have no rear view, but quality sound! Seating for 6 is nice. Very roomy 3rd row. Very hard to back up, large blind spots in back corners. But that is the only downfall of the vehicle. Vehicle appears to be more expensive than it is. We not some instability in cornering but over all we really are happy with it.

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  Not a gas saver - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptcpaul - November 27 - 12:06 am

  I have loved this car from day 1, although it is not a gas saver as a lot of people would like to think. these cars lack power and get about 22 on the highway. I installed a cold air intake and I now get 24 to 25 mpg and a little extra oomph, only drawback is on heavy pedal it is loud (Air being drawn into intake) also had problem with trans at 48k miles and dealer would not help with cost, pump went out.

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  Dont think I would buy american again. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By willb - November 14 - 2:50 am

  By day 8 check engine light came on. They did nothing more than reset it & it would always relight within a day or 2. This car was in the dealership more than at home the first year. so many things went on with this car I couldnt even begin to report it all here. They also always wiggled out of letting me use the warranty on alot of the repairs. So as a result I have spent thousands in parts and labor. Now that I have found a reliable independent mechanic and have replaced most parts on it its now reliable and fun to drive so many years later. The dealership was a nightmare from day one. Was called back after 1 wk to redo sales contract (from 0% interest to 5%)

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  Good Gas Mileage? Whats That?? - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MilNEMGaL - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I love the looks, the versatility, almost everything BUT the darned gas mileage!! I get between 16 and 19 per gallon on a 4 cylinder car! Thats unacceptable!

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  fun car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tonyaes - November 13 - 10:00 am

  have standard 5 speed base model even dealer was amazed at all you get in base model. Only downside not real fast like turbo but well worth the money.Get many compliments and looks very sharp car with plenty of room for 4 adults. Easy get in-out.

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  very good until fire - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By minus200 - November 9 - 7:06 am

  Jan 5 2007 my 300 caught on fire in spite of returning car in Sept for a recall to fix a fire hazard . The fire started in the engine compartment and although I am no expert - the fire started exactly where the fire described in the recall would have been. The SURPRISE was the fire in the trunk. The fire under the hood must have shorted out some wires and caused the battery (in trunk) wires to melt to the point it caught the carpet in the trunk on fire and there was a pretty big fire next to the gas tank. Thats when I discover there was NO WAY to open the trunk - ALL ELECTRICAL was out. Chrysler is a disappointment in handling my problem. Been very happy with the car until this fire