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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  Cirrus Had Its Good and Bad Points - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By SheRuss - July 27 - 11:43 pm

  The ball joints all had to be replaced, both tie rod ends, both front struts, rotors and pads, rack and pinion, drivers window regulator. But especially, hood rusted through at leading edge (saw this on many others). This all before 65,000. Was good car but had a high maintennce front end (and ignition - wires and plugs). Was garaged and driven normally. Had the 98 Breeze before - same problems but it leaked oil by 30,000 miles to the tune of 1 quart a week. Am glad they stopped making it so I wont buy another. My brother had similar problems with his, plus the notorious front wheel bearing problems.

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  Its okay if u reallt needed a car - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lazette - July 26 - 12:25 am

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  Big lemon - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rose - July 19 - 3:54 pm

  I have owned my sebring for 11 months, since then I have replaced a part for the transmission for 600.00. Now at 47,000 miles my engine went out in the car.Extended warranty? NO I did not think I would need one. There is no replacement engine on the market for me to purchase. So Im stuck with a car I have paid 11,000 cash for and it does not run. Dont buy a Chrysler.

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  Mid Life Chrysler - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gerry Stanford - July 19 - 9:56 am

  This car has been an absolute joy to own until recently. The car has performed flawlessly until it hit 90k miles. Engine has enough pep to propel me in and out of tight spots including taking my bass boat to the lake. However, when the car hits 90K the durability factor goes out the window. Plan on a trade in of about 4k or spend the same in keeping it running. AC alone will cost me $2K to repair.

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  Chrysler does not care..... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Terry G. - July 15 - 2:00 am

  * I purchased this vehicle for my wife and 3 small kids. Getting use of the third/rear seat is dirricult. ***Next the radio is all static. My wife needs the local radio for school closings and such...we get alot of snow. Well when we brought the car in we were told that the radio is not working by the dealership. After wating 6 months for a solution they tell me that they will replace the antenna. They put it right where my cargo roof trunk would go and the radio still doesnt work right. Chrysler wont/doesnt return my calls.

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  Unhappy in Appleton - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Teo - July 13 - 5:16 pm

  This IS my first experience with any Chyrsler products. After waiting a additional year for the 06s to come out and then test driving a demo 300C AWD I thought I made a informed decision to purchase this vehicle. My vehicle finally arrived and I took delivery of it with 16 miles on the ODO. The excitement quickly turned to dissapointment in just ONE mile from the dealership! The vehicle had a SEVERE shudder and EXTREME pull to the right! 10 more miles the check engine light comes on! Long story-short-4 months--4000 miles and 16 visits to 3 dealerships and two tire dealers(2 sets of Continentals and tried one set of Goodyear Assurances) Problems STILL there! Even D-C has NO idea?? to the ??

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  Chrysler is #3 for a reason! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bike_canoe2 - July 5 - 4:30 pm

  After owning a PT for 100,000 miles, I can only say it is an ok car. GMs 4cyls get better gas mileage and have more power. Fords are more reliable. The turning radius is too big. The seats are hard, with only one arm rest for the driver and none in the back. Paint has lasted very well, it still shines. There are better options on the market that you should consider. I found out by my mechanic that this engine will be broken if the timing belt breaks

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  Not happy with performance - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By boomers pt - July 3 - 7:16 pm

  Traded in 300m for Cruiser, have 77000 miles on it. I have had passenger side wheel bearing replaced 3 times and drivers side replaced once. Going on the third set of tires. Car is in the shop at least once a month. Numerous front end issues. Thank God I purchased the extended warranty. Added a K/N filter no improvement on gas mileage. Have had struts, tie rods, and numerous other front end replacements

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  So over Chrysler! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chelsea - June 7 - 1:10 pm

  I loved driving my used 2001 Limited Edition PT Crusier but was having some problems with it come 2007 so I decided it was time for a new one..despite the previous problems I had, I figured buying a brand new one I wouldnt have any problems, so I purchased a brand new Cruiser on January 1, 2008. Do you think its been a joy? Not one bit! I have had nothing but problems since day one! It has been in for balancing over 3 times, the tires have been indexed multiple times, and now it squeaks when I go over anything that makes the car bouce. Its so annoying! Body creaks shouldnt be happening on a less then one year old car! I am over my car and will never buy a Chrysler again!

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  Problem with no solution - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Minikus - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car 2 months ago and have driven physically had it maybe 3 wks it has been back to the dealer sitting there because it would just shut off while driving. No matter where you are on the highway, back roads doing 60 or 20 making turns or going straight it will just shut off then hopefully you can coast safely to the side. It hasnt killed anyone yet so Chrysler has "no fix" As we speak it sits in clinton with "no fix" and I have a great rental, may i recommend the Yukon? Its a reliable car!