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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  Truly a CLASSIC - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Doug - November 4 - 2:06 am

  The 2008 Limited Hardtop convertible is a classic. It is fun to drive and has plenty of performance. I would like to add that the performance and handling of the Sebring improved greatly when we installed a set of General Altimax RT43 tires. The previous tires made the car harsh riding and were very noisy. The difference was amazing! We get great mileage on the road 27 to 28 mpg. We live in the country so almost all our driving miles are on 60 mph roads. With the windscreen up the car is quieter with the side windows down. I have had many convertibles including a 1958 Morris Minor and the Sebring is by far the best.

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  Great car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Don Erickson - November 4 - 1:26 am

  The car handles like a dream at highway speeds . Excellent cornering on country roads. Runs very quiet with strong acceleration.

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  Love this car. - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By April - November 3 - 9:16 pm

  I bought this car in 8/98 with 75k miles. It now has over 161k and I just love it. Lots of space inside my family is all tall & whenever we go anywere we take the LHS because a 6 foot person can fit in the front or back with no promblem. The trunk is huge, with a full spare hidden there. Got to take one for a ride you will love it. The leather sites are very nice, & so is the control panels. Tells me how many miles until Im on E. I have had to do some maintenance but heck with 161k who wouldnt. Nothing to extreme, just the basic. Tie-rod ends, a/c compressor, brakes, tires, timing belt, & other routine maintance.

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  Will be getting a 2nd Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Convert - November 3 - 7:40 pm

  Have manual transmission, & has been the best MPG of any 4 cylinder vehicle I have owned - 33 mpg is top, but consistently get 30 mpg. (Keep records at every purchase.) Removed the back seats (takes a minute) & gas mileage went up by aprox. 3 mpg. Actually feels better on road without back seats. Hauled a washer, dishwasher & 8 ft 2x4s in it with no problems (hatch closed). Has more cargo room than Jeeps & Chevy Trackers. No repairs (normal maintenance) or problems. Do my own oil change, & love the access to oil filter and plug. Wish all vehicles were that accessible. Plugs: only use standard, not platinum: these will cause running problems. Love it and want to get 2nd!

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  EXCELLENT Vehicle ! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dave___in___CT - November 2 - 2:08 pm

  Excellent/fun ride and handling... Silky smooth engine and automatic transmission... With 13,500 miles on it... not one problem... Seating is so comfortable for me... I never have to adjust the seat... even on 4-hour trips... Easily the best vehicle I have owned... almost the best I have driven (BMW)... I do not miss the Mazda Miata this replaced... and now my Harley takes #2 spot in my choice for fun driving... The car gets too much attention for my likes... 90% good attention... and 10% negative/hostile... I would buy it again ! Dave...

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  i love it - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tiggy - November 2 - 11:53 am

  i have difficultly getting in and out of vehicles. my pt cruiser makes it easy. when i step out of my car i am amost in a standing position

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  I love my car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Tinker9769 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Car handles like a dream, rides smooth for such a small vehicle. Is a magnet for folks who just want to look or sit in it.

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  Underated gem! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Schmidski - November 1 - 2:00 am

  To date this is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. Just as functional as my former Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee but easier to drive, exceptionally luxurious, better fuel consumption and more comfortable for trips and going "out on the town".

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  MY VERY OWN PT CRUISER - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By fun girl in the sun! - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I have had a ton of fun driving my jet black PT.CRUISER. It looks awsome when its cleaned up. Everywhere I go everyone is staring trying to see in, to see whos driving it. Now everyone knows its mine, I live in a small town so of course evertime they see me they have to ask about it. I was the first to get one here, now there are 4 more in my town, but not like mine. Every time me and my husband decide to go somewhere we always chose my PT. to drive. I will not go anywhere unless Im in it. To sum it all up its the funnest and greatest vehicle I have ever owned.

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  2.7ltr has alot of power - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By dongts - October 30 - 1:33 pm

  interior room is far better than most of the cars in this class. the 2.4ltr is not a good engine but the 2.7ltr is better than most cars,and gets great gas mileage on the the road.