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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  A Solid, Reliable Highway Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - March 6 - 10:36 pm

  Since 1970 we had 3 BMWs, 5 Mercedes & the Pacifica. Interior is a bit cheesey (only 1/2 leather seats), but its a good car for the money. We bought ours in January 04 @ $7000 below sticker. Only problems were a leaking motor mount & a blown EGR, both fixed under warranty. No strange noises but we are on our 3rd battery. My wife has a bad back & the Pacifica is one of the few cars she can travel in comfortably. Actually prefers it to our 2000 S class Mercedes for trips because of the extra room & storage.(but she isnt driving) We mostly use our car for traveling & just replaced the original tires at 54,000 miles. It gets 17/26 mpg. I Would buy another but they discontinued them.

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  We got a good one - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pianoman - March 4 - 3:23 am

  We are very happy with our Pacifica and have owned it almost 5 years (80K) now with never an non-maintenance repair (replaced all rotors and pads from Brake Planet at 60K mi for under $200). Once a window quit working that was left open in the rain, but it repaired itself after a couple days. It cruises at 75-80 mph all day and gets 22-23 mpg, 60 mph gets 25-26 mpg. Town is 20-21 mpg. We have the 3.5L touring. We pull a 2000lb boat with no problems. It has a very sturdy chassis. We have noticed oil consumption, but as I read on here years ago, just check the oil. We change oil every 3000 mi. Wife is happy and never wants another car. Ours is a good one, others on here were not so fortunate.

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  In love - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jordan - March 3 - 9:48 pm

  Purchased car with 12,000 miles on it. Ride is amazing. Typically only keep cars for 2 years. Ill be keeping this one for awhile. Pros: looks amazing, lots of space, solid features, no problems yet. Cons: the door closes back on you when you swing it open, some parts of car feel a little "plastic" THATS IT!

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  I Dont Love It - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By shehawken - February 27 - 9:43 pm

  10-15,000 miles in since I bought it at 40K. Im coming off of a 9 year relationship with a 98 Bonneville so Im a little biased but this is NOT the best automobile Ive ever owned. The ride is all right, the fuel mileage is abysmal, it gets pushed around like a minivan in cross winds and the build quality is a little suspect (the brakes were completely replaced by the time I bought it at 40K, as was the climate control module. And recently 2 quarts of oil just disappeared from the engine).Its a little hard to see traffic lights (Im tall) but I still just like to walk out and look at it. The styling is just fantastic. Ill take pictures because it might be the last Chrysler I ever own.

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  so far so good - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By morgan - February 27 - 12:46 am

  I went out looking for a compact suv for my small budding family. That didnt work out to well, and just when I was about to give it all up and stick with my old p. O. S. Mazda for another year I found my 04 Concorde. Its perfect for what I need, plenty of room for me, my little girl and my wife. It has 94,000 miles and it still runs like a champ, very smooth and plenty of passing power on the highway. I would recommend this car for anyone. While Im not totally sold on the looks of the car, it is growing on me.. I love this car, but I will be back after a few thousand more miles to Post another review.

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  limited issues - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By loyal cust - February 24 - 7:36 pm

  Owned the car since new,extremely reliable car. No major issues, car has 165,000 miles, replaced brake booster/ battery at 163K, brakes/ struts at 100k, original engine/ transmission, does not use oil or leak. Oil is changed every 3000 miles, all fluids replaced per the Chry schedule. Plan to drive the car for 1 more year at which time will replace due to the Michigan road salt rust

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  Ok for a first car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By tom - February 21 - 11:03 am

  Had this car for 5 years in december and its been ok not the best car ive ever owned. The first thing that happened when i got this car wa the a/c was dumping water into the back seat! covered under warranty. Then i got into a wreck not that long ago and busted her up pretty good but the airbag should have deployed but didnt due to a sensor failure. The repair work was good but ever since car has more road noise from the back door. The engine has good power but my radiator hose has a leak and the car over heated and sent smoke into the passenger compartment! So far ive put at least $8000(including the accient) into this car. The accident alone was $6000. But a good car over all.

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  Great, comfortable, car with guts - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By 55&pushing - February 20 - 2:12 am

  I had a choice between an 04 Dodge Neon or an 04 Chrysler Concorde, each with 62K miles and for $6000. After test driving both, it was a no- brainer, the Concorde blew away the Neon, in comfort, ride, power & interior. (Neon was noisey, bumpy, cramped. Although it had a cam sensor error shortly after purchase,(had to be replaced), and then an engine check light and rouph idle for a couple weeks, it finally went away and has run great ever since. It gets 24mpg in town and 32mpg hwy, unless the A/C is on, then its only about 22/28. Drivers seat it very adjustable even the lumbar support. The leather seats are soft and east to keep clean. It has lots of room and drives like a sports car.

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  Less than pleased - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Pete - February 16 - 1:31 pm

  This car is fairly fun to drive, good acceleration, and fuel economy for a large, heavy car is good, 19-20 in town and 26-28 on the road. It has HORRIBLE ground clearance, the front air dam cannot even clear a normal 5- 6" high wheel stop and drags when turning in to a driveway that has any kind of drainageway on the side of the road. In 5" of snow, the bottom of the vehicle dragged. Also, the doors do not stay open if parked on the slightest angle. The color options were poor in Phoenix, there was only Cool Vanilla available with the GPS navigation option.

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  Such a deal (so far) - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By MelH - February 11 - 11:55 am

  Purchased off rental with 12000 miles for $13000 in Feb, 2009. Thus far the car has been comfortable, reliable and fun. Good room for four adults and good trunk for a convertible. Radio and CD changer work well with excellent sound. Before purchasing drove a Toyota convertible, used with 10,000 miles and a $25,000 purchase price. Frankly the cars were comparable in all respects exept Toyota was faster with larger engine. For $12000 less, it allows a large reserve for reliability issues, if any arise. I spoke with four others who have owned current and prior versions of the Sebring convertible, and none had any serious complaints.