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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  Worst Car I ever owned - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Deanna - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Since the day I first got this car I have had nothing but trouble with it . I had a horrible oil leak ,Then blew a seal , I learned later that these cars are know for this to happen because they have cheap gaskets. I now have a horrible Transmission leak and the suspension is now crap. I will never purchase a Chrysler again.

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  Paid for it twice! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richard Shadetree - May 29 - 10:37 pm

  200K+ miles in 13 years and its near ready for the junk yard. Nightmare to work on because the cab-forward design leaves no room for belt, hose, and accessory maintenance. Timing belts are expensive to replace every 100K miles. Cabin doesnt have heat because the coolant pipes rusted, body work is rusting out, under-body rusting out, and engine bay rusting out. I did not know that a plastic coolant outlet housing could rust out, but it did and blew coolant all over the top of the engine. Burns a quart of oil every 1,500 miles. Coolant "magically" disappears overnight without trace or regular interval. Thirsty GREMLINS! Completely replaced the exhaust--headers to tailpipe-- and front suspension-- including CV drive assemblies, control arms, wheels bearings, etc.

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  Never again - 2 blown head gaskets - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Sharon Decker - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I will never again buy a Chrysler. At 50,000 miles the car blew a head gasket. This weekend it blew a second at only 71000 miles. I am going out now to buy a new car, and I guarantee it wont be a Chrysler. By the way, it also has an unreliable gas guage, guzzles fuel, and the air never works long. Two months ago, I replaced the bad front rack ($700). Also steers to the right even though the alignment is correct. Replaced both front tie rods. Other problems in the front as well that I hadnt fixed yet.

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  dont buy it - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By big pig iron - May 2 - 10:00 am

  purchased as a certified used car at 39000, tie rods went bad at 42000, a/c broke at 47000, transmission failed at 57000, car was serviced regularly and adult driven on highway for work purposes only. car continually had problems and was traded at an exceptional loss just to escape the ongoing agony. never buy another american car again.

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  the worst car i ever had - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jane - April 27 - 12:00 am

  First week of purchase had solenoid replaced in the transmission, 3 batteries in 1 yr; 2 radios in one year, emission sensors replaced, several recalls, motor mount replaced; makes constant noises like cracking sounds..mechanics have various opinions..always in shop. chrysler doesnt care...never again!

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  300 warnings - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Sue from Buffalo - April 25 - 8:36 am

  The drivers seat is imposssible to configure comfortably for a person of 56". The rear and front windows are very small. In the rear view mirror you can see both the roof of the car and the top of the back seat instead of the road. The car guzzles fuel and hates to accelerate or brake without PLENTY of warning. It plows through snow as long as there is no ice anywhere under or near it. On ice under snow yesterday the dash showed a car with squiggly lines as it steadfastly refused to move until the eleventh steering wheel maneuver in oncoming traffic off a side street. Up until that moment, I could not understand the cars great width, which may be designed to absorb inevitable collisions.

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  Cant Get No Satisfaction - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By UnSatisfied - April 7 - 3:00 am

  Have you ever had paranoia? This car looks good but it is TROUBLE! I have had all four breaks go at one time. I have had to change the fuel filter and the fuel pump! The Odometer light NEVER worked properly. The front end makes alot of noise that no one can find the problem. The keyless entry never worked either! The dealership refused any service on this car and took no responsibility for selling this lemon. SELL IT IF YOU CAN!!

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  not too great as i hoped - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By sporty - March 1 - 2:24 pm

  This car is defenatley not what i had expected. The reliablility of this car is poor, everything keeps falling apart as the mileage on my car goes up. The breaks wear out every once a month, which is costing me extra money. The windshield wipper broke off after 6 months of usage, and even the glove compartment hadle came loose. Overall: dont buy this car unless you dont mind paying extra for maintnance.

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  lemon - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By hollywood - December 22 - 10:20 pm

  Since I purchased the vehicle in October 2005, the motor has been worked on twice. As of today the problem still exist. When I am sitting still with the motor running, the car shakes vigorously. I am in the process of letting a third dealership look at it.The brakes move forward when I have my feet on them. I am very dissapointed with this vehicle. I regret I purchased it because it has given me too many problems.

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  Avoid all PTs regardless of year - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wolff - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This car has great body lines, turns a lot of heads, and at times can be fun to drive. My PT is 3 years old and is worth only $2000 more than what I sold my 1997 Neon for. It does not hold its value and all Chrysler dealerships are EXTREMELY UNPLEASANT to work with when dealing with problems (Ive been to 3 different ones and had to embarass the manager in front of other customers to get the car fixed - and it was a SAFETY ISSUE). This is the last chrysler product I will ever buy and wouldnt recommend their products to any one...EVER.