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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  What I need? - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dazz Wryght - July 23 - 2:30 pm

  My wife and I wanted a small wagon to accomodate our child to come and our 50 lb german shepard. The PT was first on our list after renting one to drive 9 hrs from ATL GA to Winchester VA. I drove the rental the entire way without needing to stop aside from gas. I averaged 430 mi to the tank. Very comfortable for my 6 2" 290 lbs football defensive end-esque frame. I just bought a 03 w/ 14k Touring Edition Deep Red. My complaints are a slight vibration between 800 and 1200 RPM through out the car. Im not sure if this is normal or something that needs to be addressed. All 4cyl. engines vibrate. Some car Co. are better at concealing this than others. Will probably move to a GT in a year.

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  Not the best convertible, great to drive - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By iisk8 - July 23 - 10:05 am

  Bought this car new, has needed brakes continually. Just found out entire undercarriage is rotting, and last year the drain holes plugged and the interior flooded blowing the amp and rear speakers. Have to say loved the car, but would not consider buying the updated model. I only get about 10 miles to the gallon on local driving which is all I do.

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  Steer clear of the Sebring - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt - July 19 - 8:35 pm

  I just recently got my lisence last summer and this was my first car. At first glance you would say its a nice looking car but looks dont count for everything. When i got it, it has about 114,000 miles on it. The transmission had been replaced along with a power steering pump. I thought that this car would last me for a few years but after having the car for one day the fuel pump gave out. Shortly after the ac went bad along with the back two windows. When winter hit the car struggled to start and the thermostat went bad making it very difficult to drive. Also because of its low power and heavy body, it made it slmost impossible to drive in the winter.

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  my c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Rich - July 16 - 11:20 am

  My 300c has plenty of reserve power, and great looks, but the transmission lags as does its ability to corner tight. All in all if your a patient driver, youll love this baby. The ride needs to be smoother over bumps.

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  BUYER BEWARE!!!!! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Why Me?? - July 10 - 12:30 am

  This was by far the worst mistake I have ever made when purchasing a car. (Owned Toyota, Pontiac, Lexus, and Audi.) In the first 20 days of driving my Chrysler Sebring LX Convertible the latch on the trunk stops operating. This means that my trunk lid will not close and is unsafely moving about while I drive. Next problem came at a stop light when the car stalledÂ…Yes, I was completely stopped at a light and it completely shut off. Luckily my boyfriend was driving and he of course knew what to do. I probably would have panicked. Third, it seems that this problem is a continual problem that CHRYSLER (who should be bankrupt from making crappy cars) is in denial to recall to fix.

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  Ooohh my god - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By GLORIA - July 7 - 4:20 pm

  Ok first of all I love my car it is cute and fun and I have enjoyed it till now. Brakes went out several times, the front bumper keeps falling off I replaces the head and gaskets and the oil is in the radiator again, I have replaced the thermostat three time as it keeps getting hot, I had to replace motor mounts twice, power steering is out again abs lights have been on a year and ac always leaked, service engine remains on, I have put a lot of money and it still it gets hot and oil still in the radiator, but it runs smooth for the two or three blocks before it gets hot again. Any recommendations? I cant afford to fix again nor get another car.

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  great idea - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Doug - July 6 - 3:10 am

  I think the PT cruiser is very ergonomically designed. Its very comfortable, easy to get around town in and great for picking up groceries, etc. We have had problems with its constant hesitation, but hope to get problem taken care of next week.

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  Solid Car Until 150k - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Tim Lindfelt - July 5 - 7:11 pm

  Comfortable car. Feels heavy and bulky on turns, but overall nice drive. DO NOT use dealership for maintenance - not trustworthy. Needed quite a few small repairs (keep in mind i drove it heavily 25k per year): new battery, brakes wear somewhat quickly ignition cylinder replaced, then broke key lock in steering column and had to replace entire column, can move shifter with car off, etc. That said no MAJOR drivetrain repairs, so thats good...until the dreaded 150k...Began to stall and misfire. Had leaky valve cover gasket. Replaced spark plugs, ignition wire, cover gasket - $650. Runs better but still misfires and stalls occasionally so i gave it to charity. Overall happy until 150k

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  reiview of all the concorde reviews - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By helen - July 3 - 10:47 am

  We purchased our concorde new with only 7 miles on it. After reading all the previous reviews it is funny because I can agree with all of them. I love the style , comfort and size of the car. Also through out the 12 years of ownership have had to go through the AC problems Chrysler dealers could never get it right but another private mechanic fixed the problem something with the thermostat once that was taken care of ir only requires the normal TLC since it is a big engine and takes midgrade gas we are going to trade it in when the gov. CARS program is official it qualifies. I will miss it great sound system , great on the turnpike, and roomy enough to keep kids happy on long trips

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  Love in Bloom - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LLG - July 3 - 1:56 am

  I really love this car. It is fun fun fun to drive and I love fussing over it at home like I was seventeen again and its 1969. The dealership was totally awesome..no pressure they didnt know they were making a sale by leaving me alone with this beauty. The ease of the top is great and makes it accessible at a moments notice. I named mine "The Last Hurrah!!" Also the PT cruiser itself never really did much for me...but this convertable just said we were made for each other!!!