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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  sebring convert. - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By julie curtis - February 27 - 1:21 pm

  We have not had the car for long, about 2 months, so not much time to discover endurance of quality yet. We love the kick in the car...the only problem we have encountered has been a problem shifting into gear correctly. It doesnt always go into reverse on first try. takes several times of putting gear back into park first and then back to reverse. We just started noticing this problem about a week or2 ago. Will take it into dealer very soon, will be able to tell at that point if Dealer is going to be a good one to deal with or not. The only "flaw" I can see in the way the car is made is that the Gear shift can be shifted into drive,reverse,etc... without a safety feature.Kids have shi

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  pacifica 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bill - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Love the style and color and ride of this vehicle. I look forward to taking a trip with this vehicle. No problems so far and I purchased in the end of may of 2004

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  Get one...if you can! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dave J - February 24 - 10:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. It is a very limited production vehicle and one cannot get it easy. I found one and absolutely love the car.

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  A good car that could be great. - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By norwhoski - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Several small things that could be better and one BIG one. Headlight switch is VERY stiff. I have problems with my hands and it is very hard to use this switch. The sun visor cant be swiveled to use on the side windows. The seats are BAD. Not just uncomfortable but on a trip of any duration you will have to adjust the seat several times or just stop and get out to give your back a break. The drivers seat has lots of adjustments but if you are 6 or over you will have to move the seat all the way back to get in or out, and it can take for ever to get the seat adjusted again. It needs a memory system for the seat.

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  Im a - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mgkeane - February 24 - 10:00 am

  We looked at all of the "crossover" class of vehicles, including the Acura MDX, Lexus RX330 and Volvo. Pacifica beat them in our estimation, hands down. Its a great family vehicle, and a SUPERB alternative to "stodgy" minivans and "rolling" SUVs. Test drive this car today!!

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  Brand new and loving it! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Happy In Blue - February 22 - 6:30 pm

  This is a fun car to dive. It has loads of room. Head room, leg room, front and back seats. All the seats except the drivers fold so you can easly pack long items.

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  Baby Blue Sebring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Brandi - February 20 - 11:20 pm

  This is a very stylish car inside and out, it is very roomy but material quality could have been better. Standard features did not include anti lock breaks which is a probably the worst thing aboout the car. Overall, it is a very fun car to drive. The sebring coupe is very underated. It has luxury styling with a smooth ride for a low price!

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  Cant Find Anything to Replace It! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Anne - February 20 - 1:17 am

  One of the best cars Ive ever owned. (And the first American car -- always been a Japanese car buyer.) Great styling. Huge trunk. Comfy front and rear seats. Lots of luxury for the price. Aside from routine maintenance, virtually no repair costs. GREAT bang for the buck. I sorta want a new car now, this time AWD. Thought the 300C would be it, but I hate the skimpy windows. Guess Ill hang on to my beloved 300M a while longer -- FWD isnt great on hills in snow, but weve had a fairly mild winter! If you can find this used in good condition w/ low mileage, dont hesitate. Its a WONderful car. Motor Trend Car of the Year in 99 and it deserved it.

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  Its fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Kate - February 19 - 11:33 pm

  I love the car on a whole. Except for when it rains, it sounds like i have marbles puncing off the roof.

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  Best & best looking convertible in class - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By ALLISON - February 18 - 6:36 pm

  This is the 3rd Chrysler convertible I have purchased (all in a row). They just get better. For the money, the Sebring convertible Limited is the only convertible that has a luxury feel (elegant and sleek, V6 w/ nice handling) and has a real back seat and trunk.