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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  Libby recommends this vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By LIBBY GINNETTI - July 26 - 10:03 pm

  I love my Sebring...would recommend to anyone that the gas mileage alone is reason to buy this car and it is very fun to drive..

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  My 1st Convertible - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By JON RIGGS - July 26 - 11:15 am

  I have owned t-tops but never a convertible. i rented a lebaron conv. back in the mid 80s and was not impressed. This conv. is totally different. We love it. The seating in back is perfect, plenty of leg room for adults. Very fun to drive. Its my wifes car but i drive it 50% of the time.

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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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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Malesa - July 25 - 2:17 pm

  The car itself is awesome. It turns heads everywhere I go. I love the fact that I have a car with so much style. Its a great conversation starter because everyone wants to know more about it. The luggage set received in the mail was a wonderful surprise and its almost as much fun as the car. While there are a few things that could be improved on, the car is awesome to drive and I would not have picked another convertible in its place.

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  Yup, I own one, and it is great - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By t roberts - July 24 - 2:30 am

  To give you a frame of reference, I previously owned a Cadillac STS. The 300C is far superior(!). If the performance of this car is what we get for the marriage of German and American car companies, then I am all for it (and I was born, raised, and still live in the Detroit area). No squeaks, No rattles. Also, I never had a car with stability control before. Some opinions have challenged the necessity of it, and I might have agreed, but I dont now! On an icy street, if you make a turn and you sense that the back end is going to go, at the second you get that feeling, you start to sense wheels braking independently to right the car. I then tried to do a donut to test it, but couldnt

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  Great car - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By John - July 23 - 11:29 pm

  I have 112,000 miles on my Sebring. I have had nothing major go wrong. I do take great care of it and follow all the manufacturers recommendations. When I bought it, I was hesitant to pay the price for a new car but it turns out that the car was worth it. I will probably put on another 100,000 miles

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  WOW one of the BEST - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rollin - July 21 - 4:43 pm

  Now have 6,000 miles and ready to rate it. Have had nothing but compliments from friends and neighbors who weve taken for rides etc. Great power, comfort, all the options one would want. No Nav system as Im a male and can read roadmaps. Great visibility, ride and easy entry and exit. Were old and need that!!! Never thought we would be so pleased with this purchase.

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  great car for twin babies - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By roscoe301 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  we love this car. got rid of volvo xc and are glad we did. uses regular fuel as opposed to volvo. nice mercedes like styling. doesnt make one feel as dowdy as a minivan. slightly underpowered? still great family

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John P Gallo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I shopped around and found it to be an unusual buy. Its not your run of the mill SUV.

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  Incredible Car for the Money - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By CLZL - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is a great crossover vehicle. Wonderful ride, easy to drive, plenty of room for a family of four. Weve owned several SUVs and this beats them all, even the Land Rover Discovery. For the money there isnt a better buy out there. Thanks to Chrysler for another great car and (the lack of marketing that allowed for great cash back offers to get them on the road.)