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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  Love my Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ltlredboomer - March 9 - 11:10 am

  I really love my Pacifica. Its easy to drive and performs very well. I get a lot of compliments on it, and "what kind of car is that?", and "Nice ride." I have carried many large loads with no problems. Very comfortable ride. You feel safe in it. Have never slipped in the Colorado snow.

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  The best i ever had - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By JackieLSU - March 8 - 5:16 pm

  I love this car more than my boyfriend! i bought it after i traded my wrangler in, which i also loved, but the car is wonderful. It is like heaven on earth!

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  2006 Sebring Sedan - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By JDP - March 8 - 1:10 pm

  Very pleased the the vehicle and the dealership. They traded the radio to what I wanted. Lots of good nooks for all my "stuff". Center console storage is bigger than my 95 Mazda 626. Good sized trunk with place for full sized spare. A/C is nice and cold. Remote trunk release is nice too. All around - Im pleased. I like the lines on this car. Hopefully it will hold up like my 626 which I had for nearly 12 years.

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  Crossfire Roadster - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By roland - March 7 - 2:28 pm

  The roof has not been up in 7 months. It is a ball to drive and handles like a cat. I got a Mercedes Roadster for 2/3 the price. No problems at all so far. Routine maintenance only. Dont plan on packing a complete wardrobe of cloths though...

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  A good all purpose vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dspickard - March 7 - 4:36 am

  Mine is an early model produced in Nov. 2003 currently with 17,400 miles. A good all purpose vehicle that has been very reliable with only two minor warranty items (brake light and right side mirror automatic adjustment) repaired. Very comfortable on long trips with reasonable highway gas milage of 22-24 while averaging 75+ mph. Handles well around town with somewhat disapointing accelleration and gas mileage of 16 -17mpg. Well appointed but some parts rather cheaply made.

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  Love This Car! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Korinne - March 5 - 11:23 pm

  I love this car. The fuel economy could be better but I have driven this car to Miami from Rhode Island and was comfortable the whole time. My mother drives a convertible BMW and she loves my car better than hers.

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  2000 Chrysler Concorde - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Unhappy - March 5 - 10:53 pm

  We received this car from an estate. It was very well taken care of with only 62,000 miles. The car drives and handles great. Interior and trunk space are more than adequate. Weve had to deal with some minor weather stripping problems. Then two months ago, the infamous 2.7 liter engine blew because of excessive oil sludge and timing chain problems. Chrysler has hired a company to deal with the engine problem claims. Their compensation is insulting and inadequate. Do not, under any circumstances, buy Chrysler products. Im very disappointed with how they are taking care of their customers.

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  Good Styling Otherwise Disappointing - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By K. Bronstrup - March 4 - 12:51 pm

  We traded in a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee on this vehicle. Gas mileage averages 21 MPH mostly open road driving (worse than our Jeep). Since we bought the car weve lost all the transmission fluid due to a 99 cent clamp coming loose. We were quoted over $175.00 to replace a simple plastic clamp that secures the transmission lines to the case. The power moon roof broke and it cost us $25 to get an estimate of $1,350 to repair it (we wont bother). Overall quality is quite poor compared to Toyota, Ford or Mercedes. Due to the ridiculous cost of repair and maintenance this will be our last Chrysler FOREVER. On a positive note we have always liked the styling of the 300M.

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  Car okay - Chrysler Service terrible - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cindy Berger - March 4 - 12:46 pm

  I knew several negatives about the car prior to purchase, too many blind spots. The car has been okay but the service department have been terrible now there everything is wrong because they did not identify transmission problems at 14,000 miles when 1st complaint was submitted. Id never purchase another Chrysler product for that reason.

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  I love my cruiser! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cindy - March 3 - 4:50 pm

  Very roomy and adaptable with fold down seats; can fit quite a bit in the back! lots of interior extras; love the moon roof! Its so comfortable, smooth ride, turbo engine gives it lots of power,spirit and whoooosh! The most fun car Ive ever driven! Id thought of getting a VW but once test driving the PT w/Turbo I was sold! Its so cute too! Mine is Inferno red..My "Wild Cherry Mobile"!