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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  04 sebring ragtop - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By wanda - January 7 - 12:59 am

  2nd sebring convertible - had 1997 and just loved it. couldnt wait to get the new style - much sleeker design - has very large trunk space and enough leg room that the back seat is actually usable, unlike the mustang which looks good but in reality, only sits 2... will keep for 5-6 years and probably start looking for another new one.

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  fun ride - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By markiewiczc@aol.com - January 6 - 2:00 am

  use car on weekends and trips of 3 hours or more. you have to keep looking at the speedometer - you find yourself driving at speeds well over the posted speed limt and dont know it. i would recomend this car to anyone looking for a fun ride. ive only had the car since july 4,of this year but the car has just been exceptional. the mercedes influence on this car makes it a great buy.

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  2005 PT Cruiser Turbo 5speed.... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By smokinghalo - January 5 - 11:32 pm

  LOVE this car. I bought it to replace my falling apart 1998 Honda Accord. Sure Ive had some mechanical issues with it, but nothing thats left me stranded. Car came with the extended Chrysler Gold Plan that covered the front control arms (common problem, the bushings like to fail), the oil pressure switch (common failure in a LOT of Mopars) and the front wheel bearings. I work for a dealer so I know the issues these have (multifunction switch, wiper nozzles like to die, but the biggest problem was the control arms. The A/C suction line died too but that was also covered under warranty. Gas mileage sucks, but hey, its a 220HP turbo monster convertible!

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  Second One.. - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By TC - January 5 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this one used. I own a 1997 Concorde and love it. This one is even better.

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  2005 Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jim Fisk - January 4 - 4:25 pm

  Just bought this car a week ago.. And it is GREAT. Very fun to drive, great handling. Looks inside and out are GREAT

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  Excellent Crash survival - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ontario Glen - January 4 - 4:00 am

  This is the first Chrysler that Ive owned and I loved every minute of it... until Aug 31 when I got T-Boned. After that I Love AND Respect it. The car performed exactly as it should. I was hit by a van running a stop sign. A square hit to the rear drivers door and rear tire. The car started to spin until the ESP kicked in and straightened it out, because of that the car went straight into the ditch and didnt slide sideways and roll! The rear seat was contacted by the door panel but no breach into the passenger compartment. No windows broke. This is an example of excellence in design. Thank-you Chrysler

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  Sports car with style - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By MikeCub - January 3 - 1:45 pm

  The car is a little bigger then a Mustang. Its more like a Camaro. Fun to drive, 28mpg on hwy. Car feels solid and looks nice.

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  Great car! - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Larryran - January 1 - 3:20 pm

  Purchased new in 1997. Most economical vehicle (total cost of ownership) I have ever owned. Now has 120000 miles. Initial Michelin tires lasted 75000 miles, and still had over 1/8 inch tread. One alignment, at 100000 miles - after being hit HARD from rear (knocked 50 feet from a dead stop!). (Checked every 30000 - always in spec.) First tune-up at 100000 miles. Having random teenagers wave and yell "Great car!" to a 50+ man - priceless. Chrysler quality over 5 consecutive vehicles is the reason we purchased a 2000 Grand Voyager for my wife. We will replace that with a Durango in 2005. My Sebring? Looks great, runs great, and no payments. We will be together for a long time to come

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  Dr. Rocket - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dr Bob - December 31 - 4:19 pm

  I have never owned a real sports car, although I have driven Jags, Porches, Z Cars et al. I did own a Merkur XR4TI for 7 nightmare years. Given that I paid $23,464 for my new Crossfire, I could not be more pleased. It is crisp in response, throaty in exhaust note, and cornors on rails (enough canned cliches?). Entrance and exit take getting used to - unless you are a professional jockey or swimsuit model, in which case size and body stiffness are not a problem. It makes an "old" guy feel young by recalling long coastal drives on winding roads or traversing mountain roads with wine, picnic basket, and an attractive partner. It does not get any better.

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  A Great Vehicle!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cjmath - December 31 - 2:00 am

  My 3rd week of ownership. The finest vehicle I have ever owned, that includes BMW Mercedes etc No complaints. My 1st road trip 800mi was sheer pleasure. The all wheel drive handles well very predictable in icy and snowy conditions. Some have complained about power issues. I do not share that complaint. I live in mountains. Narrow twisting up and down roads are not a problem. It is extremely quiet and a pleasure to drive. The inferno red paint is a real head turner. Only problem is I had to spend $30 to get the license plate bracket to put my LSU Plate up front.