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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  Defective Rims - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Nick - September 25 - 2:10 pm

  I have had many flat tires since purchasing this car three years ago, mostly due to bent rims. Sebrings manufactured between 1997-2001 had defective rims, and a 33 million dollar settlement was won against Chrysler. Unfortunately the 3 year warranty is long expired and I have been forced to pay out of pocket. Also, one of the side door panels fell off for no reason, and black goo melted out of the door on really hot days.

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  It was so nice at first..... - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kidsasuke - September 15 - 10:06 pm

  We bought a used one of these for about $7500. It looked brand new and handled fine, but then the problems started. We had to replace the brakes twice, and the check engine and airbag lights both stayed on. It ended up costing us about $2000 in repairs and is crap for mileage. We calculated it at about 13.9 mpg doing mostly city driving. The handling feels smooth, but the turn radius is pretty cruddy considering its size. We wouldve been better off buying a Corolla.

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  Would not buy again - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Daniel L. George - September 14 - 10:00 am

  There should be a rear air conditioner and there are to many blind spots hard to see behind when backing. GM builds a Cadillac that gets over 20mph in town with a V-8. Poor performance for the mileage on the Pacifica. Will not buy again.

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  Missed it by that much - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Ragtop preferred - September 5 - 1:56 pm

  Missed it by ... that much. Too much. In two years, I have had to service the brakes 3 times, replace ignition wires 2 times, and an idle knock has started in the lower end of the motor/tranny at 55,000 miles. Routine service was done. It averages only 18- 19 mpg around town with a 4 cylinder. It looks and handles nice, having lots of creature comforts. Also fast off the line and on the beltway. But, I plan to sell it. I was hoping for more mechanical reliability. Im looking at Japanese cars now. I wont miss it much.

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  donovans #1 rvw - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By n. johnson - August 28 - 9:03 pm

  This vehicle comes with all kinds of niceities, but the body is very cheaply made. The fenders near the wheel wells can be moved back and forth up to two inches, and the fake chrome (plastic) is of less than satisfactory quality. Engine performance on the Hemi is excellent.

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  okay for cheap coupe - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mark - August 23 - 1:31 am

  Yeah those cheap chrysler rims and the brakes I fixed but it does look good! I had to tape together the bottom of the front bumper from curb and road rash, to low! Nice exhaust sound to bad it doesnt translate into horsepower although it goes if you keep your foot in it. The one thing not mentioned is this cars higher insurance rating, still Ill keep it for awhile its kinda fun. Watch out for those curbs and potholes or youll be looking for new rims!

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  Don"t buy - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Randy - August 21 - 11:27 am

  I purchased mine used from a dealer after a three year lease was up by another owner. Drove well for the first while. At 74,000 miiles the 2.7 L engine blew, need to repalce or rebuild. After doing much research I found many major problems with this engine. Oil sludge builds up and the parts do not get lubricated. Chyrsler is not accepting responsiblity. Many, many people are stuck with repair bills in the thousands of dollars. I would not buy another.

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  Run from 2.7 engine - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By mt - August 19 - 3:42 pm

  Great car until 2.7 Liter engine goes without notice, the $6500 repair for vehicle with low mileage. Chrysler will not help with major engine design problem.

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  Rattles and No High Beams - 2018 Chrysler 300
  By JAM - August 11 - 3:48 am

  I loved the car, but Im very disappointed after only 10 weeks of leasing the car (driving 400 miles per week), there is a rattle in the glove box, a rattle coming from the back seat area and the high beam headlights malfunction (they dont come on) in weather below 10 or 15 degrees. I brought it in for service and they were not able to resolve anything, but did see an error code. So glad this is a lease and not a purchase.

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  Dissappointed - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By gwhea38411 - July 30 - 10:55 am

  Beautiful car however, the build quality is lacking. The car just feels flimsy. Dont know if its the design or the craftmanship. Braking is horrible and do not feel comfortable having to brake at speed. What the car lacks in quality it makes up for in appearance. If you must have a reliable car that will stand the test of time, this aint it but if you have some extra money lying around and want a fine looking car to drive it is. I would not recommend to a friend, just look at all the recalls this model has endured.