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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  abc - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By john doe - February 24 - 1:10 am

  low winshield. difficult to see traffic lights when up close. sometimes using the sun roof to see the traffic light makes it easier. however, then you have to move up to the stop line. that brings you close to the center of traffic. nevertheless, its something you get use to. the car is dynamite. i am told so by people on the street every day. the guys just go on about the design and the ladies, its the unspoken look. good job

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  A supercar for most folks - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Johnnie Mack - February 23 - 9:03 pm

  Coming up on a year with this car, and have had nothing but good experiences. No glitches, just a nice commuter vehicle for my wife and I. Very nimble, and fast enough to suit me-the numbers suggest it will accelerate as fast as my old 89 Trans Am, but Im out of the "rat race". Tires are still in very good shape, and just 2 oil changes for maintenance. A few negs-the seat is probably better in the Limited model, so maybe a retro fit is in order-this one generates complaints from my lovely wife of 31 years. And the radio is annoying. As we know now, the car has been killed by the new Chrysler. I guess a notchback version with a removeable window is out of the questions now, eh?

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  Never Again - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sheila - February 23 - 12:10 am

  Bought my car used w/low miles. The brakes have always squeaked, had checked twice for the same thing. They say they just squeak. Oil pressure light has come on several times for no apparent reason. Check engine light comes and goes. Couldnt find out why. A/C went out the end of last summer, I live in TX and need air. Now my ignition will not turn either way, so I cant drive the car. Mileage is the same as I got in my Grand Cherokee Laredo, maybe not as good.

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  Great Car!! - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By scars103 - February 22 - 5:25 pm

  I bought the car with 44,000 miles on it. It is a great car! I love the power that comes in the 2.7 Lx package. The car has a lot of room and grea MPG! The only problem is that the car has trouble getting up hills not because of power but because of the transmission. Since it is a 4 speed automatic it you have to gas it to get it to shift down. When it does though it goes with no problems. I love the car! It has some trouble going throgh snow, but no really a problem other than that

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  Some flaws but over good car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By DrinkingStar - February 22 - 3:06 pm

  Ive driven my car for about 1000 miles. The precision of the steering, the brakes and the standard audio system are the best of any car Ive owned. It gets 24-26 mpg & I have gotten 28.3 mpg mainly hwy with some city driving. Acceleration is decent but seems to be slower than it really is because of the smooth ride. Even though the cabin space is bigger than my 97 Sebring ragtop, there is less front & almost no rear legroom compared to the 97. The fit & finish of the interior & the materials make the car look retro-futuristic. As for the design, it is comparable to the Japanese cars. The ride is as good as an Acura or Scion and the interior & trunk space are better than the VW Eos.

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  GTC Needs Something - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By snowdogg - February 21 - 3:55 pm

  This car is fun but all the design/build shortcuts make it a question mark as to how long it will hold up. I drive more than 20K miles a year and can see potential problems ahead. At 50K the brakes seem like they need to be replaced, the suspension groans and creaks, the body has lots of rattles and there are small but annoying noises coming from behind the dash. The washer fluid freezes in the winter, the car takes very long to warm up, there is not even a height adjustment on the drivers seat and I can see wear on the convertible top from rubbing on the frame. i wish that I could say lots of good things about it. I really wanted to "drive American" but this unit is a disappointment!

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  Great Car = Best I Ever Had - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Mike O - February 21 - 1:53 pm

  This car is still going strong at 103,000 mi. Still original brake lining and get 25-27 mpg on the highway. Engine uses no oil between changes. Car looks good and drives great. I wish the new Chrysler was fwd so I could trade. Only criticism is road noise. I would like a quieter ride. Only repair was an air cond evaporator at 78,000 mi.

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  engine type makes ALL the difference - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By b1-66er - February 21 - 8:33 am

  rented a convertible two different times for a total of 2k miles and thought it was the funnest car id ever driven. when i heard they were going to discontinue it, i ordered one from the factory. feels top-heavy on sharp turns but is an absolute king of flat-out cruising. the standard engine is adequate -- the turbo is thrilling. the stereo upgrade is worth every penny and is easily the best audio ive ever heard in ANY vehicle. front seats are comfortable -- especially with leather and seat heaters. the back seats are cambered just a bit too far back. tons and tons of head room. extremely easy engine to check the oil on. very fun.

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  From the showroom to the junkyard - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Arthur Jacobs - February 20 - 6:34 pm

  I bought my 99 Sebring JX in Aug,1998, Basically just routine maintenance first 90,000 mi. Oil every 3-4,000, tires every 30-40,000, battery every 5 yrs, replaced top after 13 yrs. alternator,spark plugs, and belts,including timing belt at around 90,000. Was starting to need new paint after 15 yrs,110,000 mi. clearcoat peeling & fading. Then my son had a Ford Excursion back over him, bending front radiator support et all & pinching/twisting front sub frame, so off to the Junkyard. I loved that car, fun to toss around, like a 4 passenger go cart. Its not a Porsche, or a Jaguar, but it doesnt have the Initial buy in or upkeep cost either. Absolutely marvelous for a top down cruise along the coast, just dont forget to rub the sunscreen onto your scalp. I averaged around 26 mpg all around forever, but then I like to take all the ponies out for a romp at every opportunity! Im currently looking for a replacement. It has to be a 97-2000 Sebring, I havent seen anything else that looks so right, and still seats 4 in comfort, top up or down.

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  Dream of a Dream Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robert - February 20 - 3:53 pm

  Our Dream 3 Cruiser is the best car Ive ever owned, thats number one out of 62 cars !! This two-tone, turbo, leather interior is quite a car. 25K miles and not one problem of any kind. Mileage in the 26/27 mpg range consistently. And more power than most could appreciate. Perfect car to dress up and is always getting attention whereever we go. Changed tires from the factory originals and what a difference it maeks - now even quieter and faster ! This car is just simply hard to beat regardless !!! Just hope Chrysler doesnt mess it up in its next generation . What a car !!!!!!!!