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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  Incredible car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jaybird777 - November 11 - 1:48 pm

  This car has unbelievable power. Power off the line is tremendous, and faster than most other cars on the road. But on the highway, this car is a madman. At 80 mph on the highway, punch it and you better hold on, and thats no exaggeration. It is scary fast. Muscle car fast. Quality is also superb. As other reviewers have stated, the car leaves you with no doubt that it is a high end Mercedes. If you can find one, buy it now- they are silly cheap for what you get. These will be collectors items- there is no doubt in my mind. But, theyll have to wrestle it away from me! Some say the ride is bad- I disagree. Its a sports car. Ride is really pretty great. Worth every dime.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By LenMayer - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I use it for pleasure only. All my friends like to take a ride with me with the top down. Its a real fun car and a looker.

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  Good car with reservations - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Vict - November 5 - 10:00 am

  This is the first time I have bought a family car and selected the Pacifica based on the interior and safty rating. So far the car is functioning as expected. My 2 main concerns with the car after a year is reliablity (2 recalls in a year) and the engine. So far we have averaged 16.5 mpg. This would be acceptable if the car had good acceleration, but it does not. The ride is smooth, but you have to really think ahead if you are changing lanes, since acceleration is minimal.

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  I dont think I like this car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ikeia - October 29 - 8:09 pm

  Bought this car that is only one year old, already found out the CD player doesnt work properly, the car cant have the windshield wipers and the lights on at the same time or the car looses all electric mechanism and then to top that the car gear shaft supposedly" has a bad spring". All of this happening in 45 days of the purchase of the car. THe good thing is the car ride beautiful but it just has alot of things wrong with it as far as accesories.

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  Reliable Ride - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jeff - October 29 - 5:11 pm

  I first leased the vehicle in 06 and at the end of the agreement Chrysler gave a great discount and bought the car. I have 50k miles on it, still original tires. I have replaced both headlights, and the front brakes and the oil regularly its been a tank. The highway ride is great, they improved the engine in later years and then just gave up. Youll see them on the road for a long time to come.

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  Decent Car - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Karthik - October 29 - 4:41 pm

  I got this car in 2004 (had 63 k miles on it) Nice Spacious car, had a good mitsubishi v6 engine, good power and loaded with good features (for 1998). Ran fine till 84 k mile. I had a motor belt replaced at 85 k (65 $) A leak in some engine part ( 200 $ ) Antifreeze leak at 90 k (200$) Fuel Pump replaced @ 103 k ( 500 $ ) Gaskets replaced @ 105 ( 200 $) So good car till say 90 k miles and then it starts showing its age. But performance has never gone down. Still peppy and has lot of power. Is a stable and reasonably reliable car.

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  rocker panel - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mary L. Robinson - October 24 - 8:22 pm

  love car, but have had some unusual problems, like the rocker panel dropping off. Has anyone else had thia problem? Had to replace brake rotors and pads at a cost of 743.00 at 22000 miles . Brakes still squeaking, even when Im not braking. Just had to have suspension work done that cost me 1100.00 and replacement of rocker panel me 389.00. all of this on a car with 49000.00 and also a new set of tires. the originals were so worn.

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  1 Owner 2001 Chrysler Sebring Review - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Victor Kaminski - October 20 - 10:10 pm

  At around 85,000 miles I am generally happy with the car, the performance is good, no strange noises or anything like that in the 7 years Ive owned it. I purchased the car as a left over in January 2002. My Gripe: I was misled about signing a disclosure that he was explained that the paint was not covered by warranty against chips & scratches. Duh... he replied that people sue over anything. Little did I know they used an experimental "environmentally friendly" paint,if I knew I wouldnt have signed. After about 3 years the clear coat started pulling up from the paint which made my black car have white blotches all over, the clear coat began falling off and I have no recourse. Deception

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  A car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jerry - October 19 - 3:36 am

  Replaced Transmission once. Had to upgrade the Rotors. Fixed a faulty Fog light switch myself with glue and worked. Replaced all micro dash lights once because most went out at about 65,000 miles which I think is normal. Chrysler fixed faulty powersteering hose with no cost to me. Otherwise, Alright car.

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  Loved it but it was a lemon - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By VirginiaD - October 17 - 4:28 pm

  My first convertible, and a great one at that. Power top was perfect and never had problems with it working. Replaced top seal when I purchased it ($800), replaced rotors (on all my Chryslers) every 20k miles. Brakes were not strong. Engine began to smoke at about 45k, and mechanics said it was a goner. NOT a good investment. Engine is a bad one (2.7L V6). Loved the car and top down driving and very comfortable, with all the nice options. Peppy to drive and smooth on hwy. Cant recommend because of engines and overall long-term quality issues.