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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  Satisfied Customer - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Satisfied customer - October 17 - 11:33 am

  Very reliable. Never serviced. Poor gas milage for a 4 cyl. and slightly under powered. I would recommend a turbo if available. Overall excellent quality and very low maintenance. Great car! 69,000 miles and not one problem yet. Have the Touring edition.

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  I love my car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R Lynn - October 15 - 8:43 pm

  I looked at several cars before going back to the 300. I loved the chop-top look and I the Bentley grill. I love the looks I get and I love the way it drives. I recommend this car to anyone who wants to feel excitement while diving to and from work or the grocery store.

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  Turbo Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By craig berteele - October 14 - 8:36 pm

  Pop and pep--the PT really can move with 220 HP and a five speed. The styling is still crisp and the look is pure vintage. The car is as versatile as they come. The seat configuations make it very useful in many different situations. The PT has some serious get up and go and can really get you moving in a hurry.

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  Great idea/poor quality - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By btr47 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Many problems in 6000 miles-some major/some minor. Chrome molding at top of doors not aligned. Gauges and sensor problems. Recently, rear wheel froze while driving-still in shop. Wheels are rusting(Chrysler rep says ordinary wear and tear). The wind vibration is high when windows and sunroof are open. Ceiling liner fell down twice. Have not been able to attain gas mileage estimates on window sticker. Dealer is great,but car is a pain in the backside

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  The Versatile Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By anniegirl - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this car and its versatility. I have an older dog and it is a blessing to be able to fold back the back seats and let her enter the car through the back doors. She then has plenty of room to move around as we take a trip. It also has tons of storage room, which is great. Being a teacher and having to cart your stuff back and forth at the beginning and end of every school year, you need a lot of room and this car has it. I love driving my PT Cruiser.

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  Sharp car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By mitchell P - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the car, color is inferno red, I got it loaded and has all the options and cost a whole lot less than the the so called foreign competitors. This is my 1st chrysler and I got the works. At this point I really like this car.

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  really nice - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By robin toth - October 12 - 11:53 pm

  This little car rides good in winter, and I only had all season tires on- lots of snow and some ice on roads.. It is fairly quiet although the heater is noisy when on. Overall very satisfactory vehicle

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By sebring - October 11 - 12:39 pm

  Same problem with black goo coming out of doors on hot days. Otherwise it is great to drive. Handling is superb, very fun to drive. Not a lot of power off the line but enough to make it a fun drive. As long as you change the trans fluid regularly you will have no problems. Looks great, drives great, good car!

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  Good attempt at something different - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bigred06 - October 11 - 12:32 pm

  This was a nice attempt to create somthing a little different. Its clear that this was a car produced after the merger. The interior materials and design are much better than anything Chrysler produced prior. The engine is adequate but would be alot better it the car didnt weigh so much. Gas mileage would be better as well. The experience making minivans shows in the inside with the attention to details. I like the fact that the seats fold flat without the console in the middle of the 2nd row getting in the way. Thus far mine has been solid. I am curious to see with all the electronics (nav system, tire pressure monitor, EVIC system etc.) will hold up over time. This was a solid effort.

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  I love this car!!! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By matt depasquale - October 10 - 3:31 pm

  I saw this car when it first came out and I couldnt afford it. I surfed the internet for 6 months. Nothing!! Coudnt find one. Thensaw one in a driveway with signs on it asked how much($16,000) sold my 2001 Neon for 3,000 and the rest is history.