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:

• 

  top of the line car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bbenson - August 2 - 5:01 pm

  Very smooth ride, the best driven car that i have ever driven. This is the first Chrysler I have ever bought,and I am please to say it is the number one car of the year, beauty, style, ride and gas mileage.

• 

  Looks great - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gus Rodriguez - August 2 - 4:21 pm

  Comfortable while driving,stable in rainy condition, many features not found in most cars, normal pick-up power

• 

  Loved This little car for Practicality - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By P Steen - August 2 - 3:06 pm

  I adored this concept. Enjoyed driving it and was able to pack it with so much! I never took out the seats, but carried hot water heaters out of Home Depot with no problem. Only put 2 seats down.Clearly one of the most dependable autos Ive owned. Seats are comfortable and keep you erect for long trips. Noise is average for me. I never expected a Cadillac/Mercedes. I bought this for trasporting small loads around and for basic transportation. A/C was OK. Never a problem, but in summer in FL, I sometimes felt warm in the start up process. Brakes rear seem to get a grind once you begin your day, but that goes away-rear brakes after you depress brakes once or twice.

• 

  Great enjoyment - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robert Thompson - August 2 - 10:40 am

  We fell in love with it in car magazine pictures. Full blown love when we actually saw one on the lot. Took it home to try and it has not left. Great fun, great ease to enjoy the top down. Great purformance and gas mileage balance. The turbo is wonderful. Only down side has been having to replace the front brakes after only 18K miles of normal city driving. We simply love the little thing that is not so little and really works for us. Drives great, looks great and we get great comments on it every where we go. Thanks Chrysler for contintinueing to put out exciting cars. I just wish I could have a HEMI in it.

• 

  Im glad its legal - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By happyGoGtC - August 2 - 12:15 am

  The car is just really fun to drive. For the price it is the best value. Not to mention the top goes down, what a bonus:) Only one draw back I have to put Gas in it to go anywhere.

• 

  Great Tourer - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dick G - August 1 - 5:18 pm

  The Pacifica is all you need if you enjoy riding and touring the highway. I even use it as my commuter and not only does it provide reasonable fuel economy at 21 mpg, I also feel secure and safe in the tight body... without all the heavyness of a truck based SUV (Traded a Durango). Seats are great, low noise in cabin and a great view except for backing up.. but getting used to that as well!

• 

  Who needs a Nissan Z????? - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Mike is Great - July 31 - 4:56 pm

  I must say, Chrysler has outdone themselves. I have owned 2 different Chryslers before and had so many of the lot problems before, so I took a chance this time around. And I am still grining from ear to ear about it. This baby is fast, smooth, roomy, and even gets decent MPG. So far I have averaged around 17-18 city, and a solid 28 on the highway. Man, this is one car I pray Chrysler does not drop. Theyre sitting on vehicle gold here. Look out Z owners, Civic SI, s2ooos, and mustangs. I am comming up fast with this baby!!!

• 

  After first year only so-so - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Tacker - July 31 - 1:22 am

  After the first year, I am not so satisfied. Came with defective ball joints (brake = thunk!), and a rattle that the dealer had to jimmy-rig to fix. Does drive OK, but feels sluggish. Suppose it handles like any other SUV. Blind spots are annoying. Paint on the plastic parts is really of low quality and tiny dings cause missing paint that peels more and more. Horrible gas mileage for a V6 (12-14 MPG in city). No space for any cargo with 3rd seat up. Very disappointing, will probably sell before warranty is up.

• 

  Love my cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jo - July 30 - 9:16 pm

  Its hard to believe I am taking time to answer your inquiry but I love my car so much that it is worth the time.....Driving with the top down and the roll bar in view makes me feel l6 again...when I park it even if next to an expensive car, my little beauty gets the looks....I have owned Mercedes through Corvettes, and this is my number l favorite. Only downfall is trunk space, but small price to pay for driving this American Beauty.... Jo Zarnoch, Director of Real Estate, River Run Country Club.

• 

  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.