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 first American made car in 35 years - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By The King - May 14 - 3:26 pm

  Like my title says,Ive been driving German or Japanese sports cars. This 200C is all it says and more. Also btw Kelly on Rte.1 Lynnfield is a great dealership. The technology is so much more advanced than the Mercedes I was driving. I can not think of an adjective to describe how happy I am.

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  Poor mans Benz - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Benz - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I was really surprised with the build quality of this vehicle. You can feel the quality of this car just by closing the door! The features are endless, there is even a seperate driver for the navigational system. The ride and drive is impressive, power could be better, overall I am very happy. Ex Lexus owner:)

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  I LOVE MY CRUISER - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By crafter - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I have never had a car that is so versatile and fun to drive. I have owned two P.T.s, my first was a 2001 Silver Limited, and now I have a Cranberry Touring. I use it more for a mini van for my craft business. Soooo comfortable to travel in and drives like a dream.

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  Very Practical Urban Vehicle - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Edward Ryan - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a super little car. Ther interior is deceptively roomy, and it is very practical to handle almost any house hold transportation need. It is great for a retired couple, as the seating arrangement can accomodate almost anything you have to carry. Loading and unloading groceries is easier than a car with a standard trunk, and that little back deck table thingey will keep your valuables out of sight, and makes a great picnic table when traveling. The back seat room is amazing.

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  Abnormal wearing of the front tires - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JPQuinn - May 13 - 8:09 am

  The 300 is a very good car with one major problem,the front tires are not wearing properly.I noticed that at 12,400 miles they seemed to be cupping. I had them rotated at 7,000 miles and again at 10,200 miles.At 12,400 miles I noticed the cupping and had them rebalanced and rotated again.The service mgr. said thatChrysler knew they had a problem but as of yet had no fix or solution to it.I called the Chrysler customer customer relations hotline and explained to them my problem and they said that the cupping wear was normal and they would not do any thing about it, I had the front end aligned at the dealer where I bought the car at 15,400 miles {no charge under warranty},but no real solution

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  My lil Bentley - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mybabybentley - May 12 - 6:36 pm

  I had purchased this car because i love the way it looks. I originally wanted the 300C model but i couldnt risk the MPGs of a V8 with todays gas prices. SO i took the next best thing. I purchased a touring model and about everything about it. But for future reference get the upgraded stereo because the base model stereo sounds low budget and tinny. has the V8 looks but with the V6 power.

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  2 year review - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By greg - May 12 - 1:06 am

  I bought the car in november of 2007. It is the 2.4l 5 sp manual. My ONLY complaint is that the bumpers came with tape marks on them which looks like crap. The seats are somewhat uncomfortable but still better then most Japanese cars. For a 4 banger it has good pickup and go, though i hear the automatic is a different story. Its front bumper is really low so be careful with high curbs on driveways. love the amount of space inside and the versatility and number of configurations you can do with the inside. I fit 40 8ft 2X4s with all the doors and windows closed! No major problems as of yet and i have 46K on her, so hears hoping it stays that way!

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  Damn good car - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Lancaster PA - May 11 - 7:28 am

  This car is great. Very roomy. Lots of leg room front or back. I have taken many long trips. And I never feel fatiged when I get where Im going like I do with my other cars.

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  19 Months and Still in Love - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By SpitShine - May 10 - 7:37 pm

  I ordered the car because they couldnt keep them on the lot back in the day. It was well worth the wait. I make one or two roundtrips per week from San Diego to L.A. and I always look forward to the drive. Smooth and fast, sleek and responsive. This car is such a dream. Ive had no issues except the AC quit working a couple of time. I stopped the car, restarted, and it came back to life. Dealership had no answers.

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  PT Cruiser- Great Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Janet Keyes - May 9 - 10:33 pm

  Our three-year-old PT Cruiser is fun to drive locally, and comfortable on a trip. We get up to 29 MPG on trips, and about 20+ locally. It has plenty of giddyup for city on-ramps, and good head room in both front and back seats for people up to 64. Friends are always pleasantly surprised when riding in this car. Its one of the best cars we ever had.