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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  Worth a Look - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gunner - April 16 - 2:25 pm

  Ive had this car for about a week and I am pleasantly surprised. The touring model has tons of standard features that are options in other cars.

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  Cruisers Suck - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chryslersucks - April 16 - 10:00 am

  After owning a PT Cruiser for 1 year 1 month and 3 days the transmission died. Two days after repair the vehichle died again. After owning several vehichle 1 year and multiple issues. I am convinced I will never purchase a chrysler again.

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  Good Deal for a Convertible - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Convertibles Only - April 16 - 8:19 am

  I purchased my 2002 Limited convertible in Jan 2006. It had 30,000 miles on it. I have had no mechanical problems, just change the oil and go. Power, handling and looks are great. The only unusual problem I had was that one of the chrome wheels rusted around the rim and it was impossible to get a good seal to the tire. So, I was getting a constant slow leak I swapped the chrome wheels with some aftermarket rims and new tires and the car looks even better than before!

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  Big Disappointment - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Brajules - April 15 - 9:11 pm

  Engine blew at 135,000 miles stranding my teenage son and his friends on the side of the road at night. We had already replaced 2 rims, tie rods, alternator, two window motors, heated seats all before 100,000. Fixed the roll back when in park issue that at the time Chysler denied a problem and then 9 months later, surprise! A recall of which even then Chrysler refused to pay for even though we sent them proof! The dash lights started flickering shortly before the engine blew! We had a Chrysler Town and Country that was in the shop 27 times in the first 7 months that Chrysler finally agreed to trade in for this car. I have two relatives that work for Chrysler and they drive Chevys!

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  Sad 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Sad300C - April 15 - 8:43 pm

  We have had so many problems with our 2005 300C. I have been buying Chrysler and Dodge products all my life, up to this point I really have not had a problem. It is disapointing to see that Chrysler will not stand behind thier product when they make a bad one. The transmission slips when is it cold, the steering is dangerously stiff when cold. And the best is the rough idle, the dealer acknowleges there is a rough idle problem but states "since there is no trouble code they can not fix it, Chrysler wont allow us to tear into it with out knowing what is wrong with it". Can you say oxymoron. I am so disapointed. I am looking at Nissan and Toyota. This really hurts because I am a UAW employee.

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  Happier Than When I First Bought - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Annette Brady - April 15 - 8:42 pm

  I just returned from three months in Florida and am happier than my first report. Car averaged 18 mpg. for local driving. and 25.7 on the trip back to Ohio. Driving in the South you have to atay at 80+ to keep from being run over. Car is a dream on the road!!

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  Fun wih a Price - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By JPK - April 15 - 9:03 am

  First family SUV, and loving it. Throaty Hemi likes to drink though. I do a lot of city driving, and looks like I am still getting around 17mpg. Specs say 27 gal tank. I seem to only be able to get 20 in it!

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  Whats with the braking system? - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bandit1 - April 14 - 10:16 am

  Had the car in 3 times to work on the brakes. They continue to squeak. Dealership says thats the way the PT brakes are (???). Should have gotten turbo because entering the high speed highway is a challenge. Body is great. But it is very noisy driving; drives me crazy. Wonder if I got the lemon? Disappointed. Not great on gas. Wont buy another Chrysler.

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  Caddillac amenities at a Chrysler price. - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Adam P. - April 13 - 6:36 pm

  This car is great for me. Being a high school student and a Caterpillar employee, I need something that is sporty enough for my down time, but luxurious enough for the office. The Sebring seems to deliver meet my needs. I have regularly serviced it, and the only thing I have had to replace is the wiper motor. The nice rims are a big plus, and I love the wood trim and sunroof. However, the paint on the spoiler erodes horribly. Being a 1999, it has both cassette and CD, which is nice. It has been reliable in hot, cold, rain, or shine. The trunk is also huge. And if it isnt big enough I can always fold down the back seats. The Sebring LXi has impressed my friends and is definitely a great buy!

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  nice Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By campbell - April 13 - 8:00 am

  Well the quality of the PT Cruiser surprised my wife and me, we have taken a few trips and the ride was very good and the gas performance was not that great at first, but the more the cruiser is driven the better gas mileage it is getting.