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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  CAN I TRADE IT IN FOR A PINTO??? - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Rob Sexton - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 95 Cirrus LX for about 6 months and it has been in the shop 13 times - first the waterpump /seals/timing belt went out a week after I bought it ($800 to fix). I had the fuel pump/injector system replaced ($550 to fix). The computer system started failing. At this point Ive replaced 3 sensors (crankshaft mechanism sensor, and throttle position sensor twice, all at $200 a piece). I had a new computer put in it at over $700, and 3 days later it started failing again and is now currently in the shop being diagnosed at $70 per hour...my opinion? Chysler has designed a car that makes the Pinto seem like a Mercedes. Dont buy this car! EVER!

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  Worst car I ever owned - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By GregfromNJ - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Normally do not submit reviews, but this car was/is just so bad I cant help myself. 2 major problems before it hit 60k miles. Currently runs without an electronics, as the fuses all short out within a day of replacing. Local Chrysler dealer can not figure out whats wrong, so just told me to buy "alot of fuses". Various problems the car had to be towed twice. Air conditioner also broke down. $900 repair bill on that one. I dont have the nerve to sell it and burden another person with this vehicle. I will have to eat the 25G I lost on it. All the local dealer could tell me when I asked if this was a lemon was "parts go bad".

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  It shines, but so far from being gold... - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Oksana - July 16 - 2:00 am

  The ONLY good thing about this car is the looks. Now, here is the rest of the package: quick wear of tires, problem with transmission, electrical problems, for v6 it is not powerful at all, the doors are way too heavy for comfortable use, seats are hard, no usable cup holders (?), annoying engine noise while increasing the spead, the sunroof is loose, the back is too high, cant hide the radio antenna, you have to go abnormally slow at slightly hilly places to not hit hills with your cars belly or nose...

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  I will never buy another Chrysler - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By candicer81 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  There is always something wrong with this car, from stalling to squeaky brakes, it has been the biggest pain in the butt. I wouldnt recommend this car to anyone.

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  Never Again! - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By JoeBob - July 6 - 2:00 am

  To all those w/front end wheel play,shimmy or noise & excessive tire wear: be aware the Chrysler dealerships tolerance for "alignment" vs that of independent hi-quality front-end alignments is considerable. We went thru original 4 Michelins 60K tires lasted 30Kmi. Check bushings.Also, rack&pinion replaced after experiencing excessive play in steering. Three power- locks replace @ different times window tubing shrunk & replaced several times. During recent recall to fix seat mounts, dealership broke the power seat motors

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  dont get one - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By gwk222 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring has been towed in three times in the span of 31k miles. Service is poor when it is towed in. No one returns calls at Bayshore Chrysler or at Grand Prix Chrysler in Hicksville, NY. No wonder theyre busy. If all Chryslers break down as often as mine they could stay open 24/7 and never run out of cars to work on.

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  Never Again - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By hatechyrsler - June 9 - 2:00 am

  1999 Concorde - to many problems to talk about. Car burned in 2002.

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  Car from HELL - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Charrissa - May 6 - 1:06 am

  I HATE this car. I can not wait to get rid of it. My main computer went out a few months after I bought it which cost me $3000 to fix. Few months later my fog lights wouldnt turn off, which killed my battery stranding me many times. I had to remove the fuse that controls it. Currently my car makes a horrible noise (similar to a cats fighting) only when I turn to the right. It also makes horrible sounds when I first turn it on and drive. Turning radius stinks and so does the gas. I will NEVER EVER buy a Chrysler again.

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  I am glad Chrysler folded, they deserved it - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gbw123 - April 30 - 11:25 pm

  This car is the biggest piece of junk ever built. I bought it for a college student with a long commute for semester breaks. Everything that could go wrong with this car did. Brakes, calipers, air conditioning, radiator, electrical, engine leaks, engine light coming on, heavy vibrations when idling. I have to believe this vehicle was built as a bad joke. Someone at the head of the old Chrysler must have had an inept kid they gave a job to and they designed this car. The value dropped by 80% in one year. The only positive thing about this vehicle is the amount of interior space. We can fit a lot of stuff. Gas mileage is also pathetic. Shame on you old Chrysler. Your car is a disgrace

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  Love this car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dewyonna - April 24 - 4:23 am

  I would never suggest buying a pt cruiser. 1st off the Chrysler dealer has had my car more than I have. I really do hate this car. Every time I turn around something is wrong and I am always told by the dealer that the car is fine well then in about 2 weeks the car is tore up again. I really cant wait to get sell this car and just b/c I have had bad customer service with this car I would never buy another Chrysler again. Oh, wait, and when its raining if the rain gets on the seats it will stain big time. It has a really wide turning radius. Dont buy a PT.