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:

• 

  I wish they still made them today! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By HeyBlu - December 18 - 2:16 pm

  I bought this car used with nearly 58K miles. I now have 147K and have had no major issues. Replaced AC compressor twice, and starter once. The suspension is about due for repair, struts, etc...

• 

  Old fashioned styling..... - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTCruisen - December 18 - 2:53 am

  I like the way the styling is.. classic look. Ive enjoyed my cruiser, roomy. The gas mileage could be improved. And the funky smell that some others have come across is the engine coolant. Ive noticed that smell last winter and occasionally when the AC is on. The AC doesnt get as cold as my first car did. But its comfortable. The rear stabilizer bar was not installed even though its on the window sticker. It needs one for a better ride. The turning radius is not tight enough and there are a few blind spots if you happen to be five foot and under. Had some paint problems with the metalic paint. Dealer finally fixed. After contacting HQ.

• 

  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CK - December 11 - 11:10 pm

  I have just over 2500 miles on my PT and amreally liking it. Love being back to a stick shift. Like how it sits higher than typical compact sedan. Really like the 06 and newer PT interiors.

• 

  Decent Car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By NDB - December 8 - 6:32 pm

  Ive driven this car for roughly two years and havent had a single problem with it.

• 

  Secure, Responsive Driving Machine - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Enjoy the Ride - December 7 - 1:25 pm

  This 01 300M will go down as my first and probably only Chrysler purchase.Bought it used. I think it was the only Chrysler product on the lot. My kind of car has cost me nothing in any kind of " unusual" repairs or expense. And it can run like a bat out of hell if you extent your foot a little.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By James - December 7 - 11:23 am

  This by far is the best car Ive had, even with this problems that have come along with it (mostly the dealer that sold me the car). I ditched that dealer and now my issues are resolved.

• 

  Not so happy - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By pj - December 6 - 11:54 am

  Stalls sometimes at stop lights. Replaced six rotors. Gear shift selector needs to be greased often.

• 

  Looks better than 02 focus - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By agreig - December 5 - 9:13 pm

  I chose this car because it has a lot better style than the 2002 chevy malibu, or a 2002 ford focus, chrysler has always been good with designs. The leather still smells new 7 years later and only the struts and wiper blades need to be replaced. The 2.7 V6 seems small but it really has a lot of zip. Overall its a nice car with lots of style interior and exterior, even 7 years later it looks really good. The FWD is still good in Michigan winters!

• 

  300C AWD less than perfect! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bob G - December 4 - 10:26 am

  Vehicle is very comfortable, handles well, ease of entry and exit is very good. Present mileage is 9500. I have experienced throttle hesitation under most circumstances but especially when turning from highway onto exit and attempting light acceleration, it simple does not respond until accelerator is depressed much more and then response is sudden and abrupt. Under full throttle acceleration I frequently experience a severe hesitation between shifts from 1st to 2nd wherein the vehicle seems to loose forward momentum and nose dives! Dealer says "no codes, no problem" I am extremely disappointed in this vehicle due to the aforementioned behavior. My Wife has experienced the same behavior.

• 

  May have gotten a LEMON - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Steve - December 3 - 2:53 pm

  Beautiful exterior and roomy comfortable interior. After that there are a lot of problems. Air Conditioner clutch sounds like an engine knock (dealer repaired but knock is coming back). Poor fit on rear bumper cover, steering wheel out of level, had to replace the drive shaft for a bad bearing,Air Bag light stays on (fixed 3 times), drivers seat upholstery pulled away from the frame, knock in rear end when accelerating from a stop, heated seat turns on by itself, and the check engine light stayed on for two days.