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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  Chrysler is miserable - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt Snyder - January 8 - 8:04 pm

  The worst car that Ive ever known. At 26,000 I had my THIRD transmission installed original, at 22,000 rebuilt tranny, 26,000 brand new one installed. Its been in the shop over 8 times for the transmission slipping especially in cold weather. Chrysler customer service does not stand behind their product. I will never buy a Chrysler product again. This all could have been fixed if they stood behind their product.

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  Gave Me Nightmares - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Zarkster - December 20 - 2:13 pm

  I bought this car with 13K miles on it, back when Consumer Reports actually recommended the Cruiser. The first two years were OK, but then disaster struck. The whole shock system went down, struts, bushings, brakes, and everything else had to be replaced at around 50K. The next summer, my transmission went KAPUT. Luckily, the car was still under warranty. Now, Ive discovered that all the struts, bushings, axles, and rotors need to be replaced again. This car has caused me to have nightmares about driving it down hills, and then going totally out of control and careening around corners.

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  the car that almost could but didnt - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By nvwalt - December 12 - 1:43 am

  I researched this car on the internet. I compared it to the nissan, toyota and mustang. For the price and style it stood above the rest. It is a fun car. Since I have owned however, I have had it in the shop for various repairs in excess of 30 days. It has had oil light problems, overheat problem, alignment problems. God help you if you had to change the battery. I am on my 3rd roof motor. the fabric is tearing on the roof as well. I drive highway miles. I would recommend that you pass on this car until Chrysler gets its act together it is nice but no Substance.

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  Should have put better quality inside - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Cate - December 11 - 5:46 pm

  The engineers at Chrysler should have taken a little more time in over hauling this car. More thought could have made this car more elegant. The interior could have been made a little less retro disco era and they could have give us more leg room and more comfortable seats. The 2.7 engine has no get up and go. They could have easily had to options the 4 cylinder or the other 6 cylidar, the 2.7 is not necessary. Also the moon roof could have been a little bit bigger. Being that the 300 M & Concords were eliminated, they really could have done better with the quality.

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  This is why Chrysler needs bailed out! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By scott - December 11 - 3:03 am

  Had everything go wrong! Spark plugs, front control arms (which is every single pt out there!), motor mount cracked, timing belt, rear windshield motor, battery at 90,000, transmission fluid was dirty, inside electrical display! Need I go on? Not really considering I gave it back to Chrysler! They stink never again!

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  Drip drip Drip - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Drip drip Drip - December 3 - 2:04 pm

  The car looks good, is fun to drive, and has a good heart (engine). However, it squeaks and creaks and loves to drip oil everywhere. Frankly, a car built in 2001 shouldnt have such poor suspension and oil retention. Overall, I cannot recommend this car because part of the driving experience is not hearing squeaks and creaks when traveling over the slightest of bumps and not continually staining your garage floor with engine oil. In the future I will be more leery of Chryslers products. Do your research before you buy.

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  My Last Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Oldengineer - December 1 - 11:47 pm

  After 14 Chryslers, this is my last. The only thing this car does well at is get decent fuel economy. In 2 years of ownership, its been in the shop for warranty work a full 3 months in total. Its myriad problems and poor reliability have convinced me to switch brands. Its a beautiful car, but, seems to have been engineered and built by blindfolded kindergarten kids. Tried to get rid of it, but, this model depreciates like a falling brick.

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  my crossfire is sick - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Tish Forster - December 1 - 4:49 pm

  I purchased this car in May with 7500 miles on it. Started having shifting problems right away, seal in the transmission was replaced. It has 11,500 miles currently. Takes avg of 6 seconds to start on a cold (below 45 degree). They cannot fix it because it does not give them a "code". I will trade this vehicle in. I will not pay for a car 6 years with unfixable problems this early!!!!

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  Chrysler 4 dr sebring std - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Greg Ploof - November 29 - 7:03 pm

  Ive had problems with this car, engine knock and right hand steering noise, it clicks when you steer to the right. This car had only 26,600 miles when I bought it and I have 35,567 now, this is my first Chrysler product and will be my last! A car with low mileage like this should not knock or make steering noises.

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  So/So - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Godot2520 - November 28 - 7:19 am

  Its a great car if all you want to do is look at it. Yipes is it expensive to drive. Before buying check on price of oil-change and tire replacement. The 19 inchers in the rear are not only hard to find, but will require you to get a second job to pay for replacements. Its an ego booster to have the kid at the drive-thru say "cool car," but you pay for the opportunity. Make sure your local dealer knows how fix them. When I bought mine the salesman didnt even know how to get it in reverse!