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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  Good looks - Poor Quality - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Steve Libson - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Dont let the good looks of this car influence you into buying one. The quality of this automobile is as poor as any car I have owned in the past 30 years. Ive owned this car 6 months now, have 7000 miles on it and have had it in the shop 6 different times for a total of 13 days for various problems - mostly with the drive train and steering.

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  Another Chrysler Turb-woe - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kms - March 2 - 1:06 pm

  Unfortunately, we purchased this car when it was on Consumer Reports "Best Bets" list. One year later this specific model is on the "Worst". We have had a major engine overhaul and replace numerous sensors. The 17" rims and tires have been another expensive problem. The paint and finish is the worst I have seen in my 35 years of driving. If this is the kind of product the American taxpayer is supposed to save Chrysler for then let them fold!

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  Stalls While Driving - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Heather Moraitis - February 27 - 10:10 pm

  I have had this car for 2 months and it stalls while I am driving. The power steering freezes and I cannot maneuver the car. It has happened around town and while I was on the interstate. I am fortunate I have not been seriously injured along with my 2 children. The dealership cannot identify the problem and therefore says that nothing is wrong. I am taking steps towards filing a lemon law complaint. I am trying to get help from Chrysler, but the customer service representative told me there is nothing they can do unless they can determine the problem.

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  gas guzler - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yolanda Johnson - December 25 - 8:00 am

  My biggest problem is gas. This car eats up gas.Under the hood is too compacted. Cant see anything or if anything is leaking

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  Looks were deceiving.... VERY disappointed - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By l8dybg79 - November 7 - 12:57 pm

  PLEASE reconsider if you are wanting to buy a PT. I bought my 06 used, but only 11 months old & very few miles. I have had a lot of AC problems, heater core, wheels, brakes, and tire problems. AND the back door lock doesnt work (gets stuck locked) until you manually unlock it... a pain when you have kids. It handled well on snow/ice. But that about the only positive thing I can think about it. The biggest complaint I have is the 18-19 mpg! And thats driving 20 miles highway to & from work every day! WHAT A GAS HOG!!!! NOT WHAT THEY SAY IT GETS. And.. I keep up with the maintenance... oil changes, etc. I would definitely reconsider buying a PT Loser!

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  Boring, boring, boring - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JW - May 19 - 2:56 am

  Looks good from the outside, but by 2008 is getting dated. The dashboard is sleek, but made of a very cheap plastic. The seats are not comfortable in the slightest for long drives. They are not contoured to the body at all. Not much storage capacity despite being a wagon. The power is pitiful in town and for the highway.

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  Why Do We Have Two Of These? - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Glen Miller - February 7 - 9:20 pm

  W.P. Chrysler Special Edition. Interior room less than 2002 model. Water pump and transmission solenoid block (machined casting) both replaced under warranty by dealership at No Charge. No gas mileage. No performance from 4 cylinder engine. My extended-cab pickup truck turns a tighter radius than these cars. The end cannot come too soon for these cars.

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  Looks Good, But Stinks - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By toys99 - January 2 - 1:30 pm

  My girlfriend purchased this vehicle three years ago. First year was alright. Nothing major happend except for the very poor gas mileage, and there is no performance at all. Second year brakes and suspension went out. Had to replaced the front and rear brakes and the vehicle only had 50,000 miles on it. Also at the same time the struts go out. Third year major problems, transmission will not shift gears. Had to get it towed and no one knows what to fix. Never again.