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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  Great New Car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tabonf - November 22 - 8:03 pm

  This car is new and I am very pleased so far. It handles well and has a very comfortable ride. Only one minor problem on delivery, the sun roof needed adjustment. The mileage is reasonable for size (20mi/gal).

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  "Baby Bentley" - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chrysler2005 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The 300c is the golden child of the upcoming,some outgoing, luxury performance automobiles. Its 340 hp hemi is all you really need to know and with the 4000+ ibls it is still unnessary, yet so wonderful. 0-60 in 6 secs. with all the tech. goodies you can want-priceless,yet it is under 40k.The esp in winter like conditions is excellent(i reside in Wisconsin). Body resembles that of an old Bentley.I dare you to name a car this so thought of and accomplished than this one.

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  I love it! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DB - November 22 - 6:53 am

  My 300 is awesome! Love the drive, love the look. Its fun because my 14 year old nephew thinks its an awesome car and yet I have older people also stop me frequently to tell me how much they like the look. Definitely crosses generations. :-) Dont like: the dark interior, shows every spot of fuzz. Wish I had leather instead of cloth. Still wouldnt like the dark carpet. I clean it one day and you cant tell the next. Problems: Only problem Ive had is that sometimes while idling it acts like it wants to die. I scheduled maintenance last week, but wasnt able to make it in. Will try again and see what the problem is.

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  Lots of power for a compact sport car. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Rancho - November 21 - 11:23 pm

  I bought this car in Nov 2006 and droved for couple of days. Had a lot of fun with my Crossfire Convertible Limited 6MT. Its the second convertible that I own and, I have the most fun out of this Crossfire. Lots of power under the hood with 320 SLK engine, light weight body and wide tires. I could easily cruise from 50 to 100 mile an hours in 3 seconds and yet the engine still has plenty of horse power underneath the hood. I try 130 mph already and feel like I am cruising at 75 mph. I ready feel that this car can out perform the 350z in acceleration. For those of you that may be interested in the sport cars, should go out and test drive the 350Z, BMW Z4, and the 2003 Corvette.

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  Chrysler Sebring Convertible - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Deb - November 21 - 8:27 pm

  I absolutely love my Sebring Convertible!!! Its a fun and sexy car. It handles like a dream. My only complaint is that for the size of the car, the gas mileage should be much better. Other that that... its a fantastic ride. After almost 11 years, it sill looks new. No major problems at all. Ill buy another one as soon as this one gives out.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By reide37 - November 21 - 4:07 pm

  The Pacifica design was out in front and the first of its kind. The style is great and by the looks of all the new 2007s every one in the industry thinks so too. The only real problem I had was the mileage. The first 42,000 miles the best mileage I could attain is 16 mpg. Then for some reason I started to get around 20. The car is built on the e class platform from Mercedes and the only real improvement I would request is a Mercedes diesel engine. I had the oil change regularly and had no service problems with my car. The mileage and the ratings of safe cars will determine if I buy another.

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  Biggest [non-permissible content removed] ever! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By David Jordan - November 21 - 2:54 pm

  I bought mine with 132000 miles on it and it was way overpriced on top of the immediate repairs that needed to be done. Right away it overheated and needed a new battery. The cooling fan and relays had to be replaced. I replaced spark plugs and wires with a new coil pack, new fuel injectors, map sensor, camshaft positioning sensor and it still runs like crap. I have only owned it for a couple months now and every week it is something new. I replaced front and back brake pads with new rotors and drums. There is no power to the engine and gas mileage is iffy. The whole thing shakes even after getting my tires balance twice. Overall this is a junky piece of crap and must be Chryslers April fools joke to society. I think Ill be going back to GM. I have never gotten rid of a car so soon and put so much money into it with no difference in how it runs.

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  Burst baloon - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Debi - November 20 - 8:00 am

  This is a fun vehicle to own and drive. I love it. The downside is Chrysler has changed parts company that have me replacing my control arm bushing because they split after 22 thousand Km. putting me outside the warrant period.

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  Still A Sweet Ride - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DrDocRudge - November 19 - 3:23 pm

  Ive owned my PT Cruiser for almost a year and it still makes me smile every morning when I hop in. I still get stares, looks, and waves every time I drive and questions almost everytime I stop to put gas in it. Great value for money unless you expect a street rod.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pat - November 18 - 11:06 pm

  Great car. I dont know where to begin. I love everything about the car. Its great for familys, people who travel, New Drivers, pretty much anybody. Performance of a car, but SUV and Mini van features. The back seat folds down and comes out. Comfortable for five people. Great for people who need a low cost or expensive car.