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:

• 

  Hunk Of Junk - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Angry 1 - March 19 - 1:01 pm

  I bought this car, loaded and thought I would be so happy with it. Little did I know a week after I bought it, it would end up in the shop for a week and a half. A month after that it was in the shop for 4 days for the same exact problem, something with the rocker arms, and problems with the ABS. The car has been nothing but problems and wish I never bought it. Beautiful inside and out but built with tape and glue. Do yourself a favor and dont even consider the car. I was told it was not safe to drive at all. The dealership and Chrysler were no help at all, telling me I was on my own as there was nothing they could tell me and I had not purchased the extended warranty.

• 

  We purchased a wonderful but flawed car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Debra Jones - March 14 - 9:13 am

  I love my PT Cruiser, however, we have had to have the transmission rebuilt at 70,000+ miles, repeated problems with the brakes within the first 2 months of driving it (a dealers employee had indicated this was a very common problem.) We have a 60 month loan which will be pd off this Nov., however, we have been told by a body shop that based on their examination, without $3,000.00 additional work completed on it, it will not be running by Nov. Tire rods, struts, AC compressor, a bearing have to be replaced. We have had problems with the quality of work at a local dealership closer to our home in Greenwood (not Eastgate, but Tom OBrien). Defective tires, stripped lugnuts, one Mgr not ok.

• 

  Never Another Chrysler - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By MadinDetroit - March 12 - 11:10 pm

  Before I bought this car I was warned that Chryslers have a hard time in cold weather. Now at 100,000 I can attest to the fact that those cold morning startups are getting progressively worse by the season. I believe the blower motor is also dying, it squeals very loudly on the first startup of the day. Sounds like the belts are going bad, and the brakes and struts have failed on all 4 corners. The seats are very uncomfortable. The design is also a bit awkward as it is very difficult to see traffic lights from the front seats when at rest. Fuel mileage should be better for it to be such a "regular" car. And the trans failed at 99,000 miles.

• 

  Worst mileage I ever had - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By bigo - March 8 - 10:17 am

  Bought it to leave at our condo in FL. Has about 600 miles on it now and I have filled it up four times already. My 04 Vette, 04 Maxima, 04 Jeep Liberty, and 07 Avelon up North all get far better mileage (nearly twice that for all except the Jeep). All in town short trips except one trip from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach and rtn. No leg room in back seat. Nice ride characteristics and top operation. My wife loves it though.

• 

  Dependable but uncomfortable - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Donna - February 25 - 2:43 am

  My cruiser is very dependable, it had a little over 10,000 miles when I bought it and 15 months later it has almost 50,000! I like driving it, but the seats have to be the most uncomfortable seats Ive ever experienced. Like a park bench. And it has no guts at all, none. The fuel economy is very poor. Much worse that the sticker said. The fun part of the car is all the extras that you can get. Unfortunately, the resale value is a joke. If you purchase from a dealer, after the 1st year, your upside down & it wont be worth even close to what you owe on it.

• 

  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.

• 

  Wish I had listened to Consumer Reports! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Its a lemon - February 2 - 9:25 am

  I thought I was getting a bargain but it got me. Since we bought it in Jan 05 I have replaced an axle, axle seals, oil pan, rear differential and now the transmission. When it runs its nice but now I wish I could get rid of it. Unfortunately the Pacifica loses value so quickly you are likely to be thousands in the hole the second you drive off the lot. Its very tempting to look at these used Pacifica as a bargain, but remember you are really gambling with this car. You may be the guy who gets lucky or you be the guy like me who has spent $6000+ in repairs in the last two years

• 

  Drive as usual for l00 Miles - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300C 4 dr sedan - January 27 - 4:43 pm

  We have found at least a dozen features about this car that we do not like, 700 words is not enough to tell the entire story, a quick summary is no front seat assist handles, backs of legs rub on side of car when getting out. Daytime glare on dash instruments, buttons that operate radio, navigation etc. are not illuminated at night. Demo ride did not point out that highbeam headlights were obtained by pushing down on the lever not by lifting up the lever as with prior Chrysler cars. The feature that bothered me most however was the lack of comfortable armrests for the driver, I was spoiled by the captains chairs in my van. I was not told about the cost of the puncture proof tires either.

• 

  BAD NEWS LEMON - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Marilyn - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Sebring LX convertible in May 02. It has been at the dealership 9 times in 4 months! If you want to drive a paint mixer this car is for you! Car shakes and vibrates so bad that the ride is awful and the fun of driving a convertible is gone. Chrysler says its NATURE OF THE BEAST! I bought a $26,000 LEMON and cant get any satisfaction from Chrysler or their reps. I will be filing a lawsuit very soon. I have CONSUMER PROTECTION & THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE OF MARYLAND helping me. I have only 1940 miles on it!

• 

  Chrysler Concorde from hell! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By JJG - January 14 - 6:48 pm

  Purchased this (certified) 2.7 LIT, 2000 Chrysler Concorde w/67,000 miles, in February of 2004. After 2 months front hub assy failed. 2 months after that vibrating engine and oil lite stayed on. Renewed Engine put in. 2 Wks later speed sensors need to be replaced. After 1 year and 3 months renewed engine went out again. This car is just setting up with a car note/full insurance still on it and being paid!