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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  2004 Sebring GTC - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richards - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great car value for the money-fun car to drive...very enjoyable..

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  Rag top man for life! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By captom - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven hard tops for years, never again. The Sebring Conv. is more fun to drive than anything else out there. Ive got a saying, "If its not raining, the tops down. The heat is so good in this car I run topless year round, even when the temps drop below freezing! ( I layer up too) The only thing Ive hat to have fixed is the top switch. Ive had no other problems. My 94 has over 86,000 miles on her.

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  Excellent Car!! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Josh20 - July 19 - 11:46 pm

  This car is perfect. It has a lot of cargo room, passenger room, and compartments. Love the sunroof, outside temp, and compass. Not the best engine but good enough for what I use it for. The controls are at your fingertips. Has a great sound system. Ive taken it on many long trips and found it very percise, tight, and comfortable. Just have one complaint. Which is the gas mileage. It could be better.

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  300c awd - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By stanmilz - July 19 - 10:50 pm

  A long wait & finally arrived at the dealership. It took time to get to know the equipment. The dealer went over the equipment standards and how the can be adjusted to my wants/desires. Driving the car is a joy, but is difficult to get used to the people relly looking very hard at the car. t sure attracts much attention. Wsh te ar was avalable wth chroe wheels. It sure would have added to the look! The ability to customize the looks is easy. It was worth waiting for!

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  Big lemon - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rose - July 19 - 3:54 pm

  I have owned my sebring for 11 months, since then I have replaced a part for the transmission for 600.00. Now at 47,000 miles my engine went out in the car.Extended warranty? NO I did not think I would need one. There is no replacement engine on the market for me to purchase. So Im stuck with a car I have paid 11,000 cash for and it does not run. Dont buy a Chrysler.

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  Mid Life Chrysler - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gerry Stanford - July 19 - 9:56 am

  This car has been an absolute joy to own until recently. The car has performed flawlessly until it hit 90k miles. Engine has enough pep to propel me in and out of tight spots including taking my bass boat to the lake. However, when the car hits 90K the durability factor goes out the window. Plan on a trade in of about 4k or spend the same in keeping it running. AC alone will cost me $2K to repair.

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  Should be more reliable - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Darren, Kalamazoo MI - July 17 - 9:20 pm

  I am not happy with the reliability of this car. Items that have broken and been replaced. Front grill faded front suspension-both sides replaced EGR valve (which broke on leaving for our vacation and we missed the getaway. The car sounded like it had no exhaust and a lot of heat was entering inside passenger compartment) leaking sunroof (not replaced because warranty expired, even though the car mileage is still just 31000) annoying rattle inside drivers door, which was fixed but returned after warranty expired rattle under hood at highway speed into the wind, which is very annoying nav-DVD does not sidestreets in SW Michigan, where I live. Climate control display shorts-out, etc...

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  Best Vehicle Purchase - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By theresa - July 17 - 8:43 pm

  Love this vehicle. Comfortable riding and great interior space. My husband is over 6 ft and he has no trouble at all getting in and out of this car. Such a nice riding car. Took it to TN last week and it was just wonderful.

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  I love My PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jlhschoen - July 17 - 8:53 am

  I just got my PACIFICA recently and I love it! It has a great design and feels great to drive. What a wonderful car/minivan/SUV - whatever it is!

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  simply honest - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Griff - July 16 - 9:33 pm

  great car. always turns heads with its great design. i can not go anywhere without being stopped by men and women alike asking "how do you like your 300, i love the look and wish i had one!" im proud to drive and own this fabulous Chrysler product. the other car makers are scratching their heads and wondering what they are going to do next to compete. go drive one for yourself and see what all the hype is about...you will not stop thinking about the car untill you have one. thanks Chrysler!