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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  More Blues from Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By garcande - June 1 - 12:02 pm

  Well folks, Im still waiting for the convertible top motor. I had to pay $762.00 back in June before they would order the part and they still cant say when it will come in. Its missed two due dates and now theyre saying December, maybe. They cant give me an explanation, either. Other than that the car has been running fine, though I only drive 10 miles a day to and from work. Thats all for now.

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  Love the PT - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mark - May 31 - 8:56 am

  This is my third PT. My first of the Limited and I wished it had a little more power and better handling. In 2004, I traded it in for the GT and Ive loved it ever since. But Ive always wanted a convertible so I just traded it in for a Vanilla one with the turbo. I couldnt be happier. Ive read some comments about discontinuing the PT and I hope its not true because Ill want another one in a few years.

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  A Luxury Car Its Not - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PW - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The car is excellent for what its supposed to be. However, if you are use to luxury, you wont get it here. Youll get lots of space versatility and reliability. You wont get power, fuel economy, or luxury. The noise level is high, and the stereo hard to hear with any real quality. We have tried for 2 years to love it, but failed.

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  Cross country drive! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Mark Chandler - May 21 - 8:00 pm

  Great car to drive! But, I get challenged by every teenager with a grand prix at every light. The cup holder and some of the other interior are a bit cheeply made. I bought it and drove from MI to CA and loved the drive. That drive through the mountains was fantastic!!If the interior had some better quality I would give it a 10 across the board! ( with a bit more under the hood) V8 in the near future?

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  Gas mileage 35-40 off listed - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By deflated mpg experie - May 14 - 5:16 am

  Handling and finish are very nice as was my dealer experience. However, I have had the newest software downloaded but there is no improvement in my mileage. I drive @90% highway and have constantly experienced 16-19 mpg. and in town 13 to 15mpg.

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  2004 PT Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gdhike - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my PT Crusier in October of this year as a second car. So far I have 3500 miles on it and have been very satisfied with the comfort and the ride. The gas milage is around 21 miles to the gallon in-town, which is the same as my Chevy Venture. I recently drove it on a 750 mile trip and got about 24 MPG. The PT is a fun car to drive, but no speed demon since I have the non-turbo engine. The problem I have had is that the engine died once at a stop light. It started right back up and I havent had a problem since. The dealer checked it out and couldnt fine anything wrong either.

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  Smll but sporty - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By dolphman - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Quick V6. Sporty style. It really is a miniature Intrepid. However, rearview mirror is too close to driver. Due to cab forward design and sloped windshield. Recommend buying to those under five foot ten.

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  I loved my car until recently. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Liz - April 25 - 9:13 pm

  We bought our car new and loved it right away. It has lots of room and can carry a lot. I loved the look of it and I always thought I felt like I was sitting in my kitchen chair when I drove it. Last year I changed my mind, I no longer love my car. We have had it in the shop during the past year 8 times for the same problem. It wont start. The battery has been replaced 2 or 3 times, the starter has been replaced twice, the starter relay once and the wiring harness once. The last repair did last for many months but we are back to the same problem again. We would never, ever buy another Chrysler. Very bad reliability.

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  A fun car seats 4 comfortable adults just on time - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sandra Bell - April 24 - 2:43 am

  Its FUN

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  So far, so good - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Hunter - April 19 - 8:10 am

  We have had our PT Cruiser for three months now, completely without incident or complaint. The Cruiser was not my first choice, but it appears to be the correct one. For a car that I assumed to be a "fad" vehicle, the fit and finish inside and out is quite good. It handles capably and is quite fun to drive. Not exactly overpowered, but adequate for a second vehicle. The ride is exceptionally good for a small vehicle of this type; it is a comfortable vehicle with more room than I expected.