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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  Good Car!!!!!!!!!!1 - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By TYRA - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I think this a great car. I like the body style because it is sexy but still classic. So far i have had no problems.

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  Thumbs up value - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By KMO - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with my new purchase of this vehicle. Has the creature comforts of my Buick (if you get it loaded). Suspension is fairly tight, could be described as "touring." Engine acceleration/power is good off of the start, but excellent in rolling acceleration... if you floor it at 20- 50 you know it... and might be exceeding the highway speed limit before you look down (hint). The "enthusiast package" is a must... better steering reponse, and auto-stick is "fun". Easier to stay in 200 HP power band. My average gas mileage sits at about 25. I highly recommend synthetic oil, it smooths out this engine a bit.

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  A smooth ride - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By bdscoach - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new. After a short test drive, my wife was hooked! Since that time, we have to date put 94K+ miles on it with little trouble. Car is comfortable and I can ride in the back without any legroom issues. Still gets looks with this body style, too bad Chrysler discontinued it in lieu of the cookie cutter style for its big sedans. Huge trunk, good pickup and handling, great gas mileage (can travel from Minneapolis to Chicago on less than a tank)!

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  Good Car for Me! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By goneloooney - May 27 - 2:00 am

  This car preforms well and gives me the power I need. I wish this vehicle was available in a manual transmission. The car is extremely quiet and relaible. I recommend this to anybody interested in looking splendid while feeling like a champion bahiend the wheel.

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  300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By HEW - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great looks, great performance, over 24mpg

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  Love this car! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Runnaref - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Have owned and loved this car for over 2 years. Avg. 28 mpg and 33 when just highway so my mileage is good. Great value for the price and love the sunroof and 4 cd changer. No ABS standard on this model, which was the only drawback, but no regrets. Would certainly consider another when the time comes and have recommended this model to other buyers

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  Best Car I Ever Owned! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By shenny - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new. Should have kept it for life (but I got a deal for a new Neon R/T for $8K). Best car I ever owned. Head gasket went @ 39K, but was covered under warranty. Only problem I ever had.

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  Best car Ive Owned - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Phil Collura - May 24 - 12:33 am

  A quote from the guy who sold it to me in 2002. I second it. At 227,000 miles, the trans failed, so its time. It breaks my heart to send it away. Rest of the car is still like new. Ive read the negatives, and maybe I was lucky. I did take care to maintain it. I just shopped around for new, and not car comes close to the interior design of the PT.

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  Very Happy - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom - May 23 - 5:16 pm

  Narrowed our choice between Ford Freestyle and Chrysler Pacifica. After driving both within an hour, the Pacifica won hands down. The poor-quality interior materials and ill-fitting panels in the Ford were very noticeable and disappointing. We love the quiet, smooth ride of the Pacifica, the elegant, comfortable interior, the many convenience features and the security of all-wheel drive. Especially love the power rear liftgate. The stereo is awesome. (And it doesnt hurt that it bears a more-than-passing resemblance to the R-Class Mercedes!)

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  my cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cntrygurl - May 23 - 1:30 am

  after having a 2005 ion quad coupe 3 which turned out to be a lemon we decided to buy a 2006 pt cruiser, i love this car. it goes so much faster than my ion did and my daughter has more room in the back seat, also you dont feel like your sitting on the ground like in the ions ,