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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  trade in from Cougar - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Ken - July 6 - 2:04 pm

  The design of the car says this is a different car to drive and own. The car was noticed by my co-workers before I said anything, I believe this could become a modern "classic" in the near future.

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  roadracer - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By cuda - July 5 - 9:03 pm

  I am fortunate to have two crossfires, a 2004 coupe and a 2005 roadster, SRT6. I am able to compare them side by side and I find them both extremely well built, tight and very fast. The SRT6 is a machine that is for the purist, well built, in quality, fit and finish,control layouts are easy to reach an use, the motor pulls like there is no end, very smooth and no objectionable noises, just raw power.I love the way it turns, it has to be the tightest turning radius of any car out there, the top operates very smoothly and gets stowed under a beautiful tonneau cover, with the top down and the optional wind screen in place there is no wind buffeting at all,for the money, a great sport roadster,world class

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  Chrysler is #3 for a reason! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bike_canoe2 - July 5 - 4:30 pm

  After owning a PT for 100,000 miles, I can only say it is an ok car. GMs 4cyls get better gas mileage and have more power. Fords are more reliable. The turning radius is too big. The seats are hard, with only one arm rest for the driver and none in the back. Paint has lasted very well, it still shines. There are better options on the market that you should consider. I found out by my mechanic that this engine will be broken if the timing belt breaks

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  Not quite to premium luxury - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ross Wagner - July 5 - 3:28 pm

  I have now owned my Chrysler 300C for 22 months and they finally cured my dash rattle after 12 visits! This car is good value for what you receive, although it is not in the premium luxury class. It handles well, but not like the Germans and the interior materials are not of the top makers quality. They mar and scratch easily. However, the drivetrain is awesome and decent fuel economy is obtainable. Continental tires are the other problem. They are too soft on compound and too stiff in the sidewall, which gives some harshness to the ride but good grip and lousy wear. Will replace at 24K.

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  Cruisers are great to crash in - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shannon517 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2002 Cruiser which I just totaled two weeks ago. I went to clean out the car tonight, and I was struck once again at how well that car protected me. I loved that car for a number of reasons, but the fact that I survived such a horrible crash (crushed between two trucks at the front and back) with only some muscles aches... have I mentioned that I loved that car? After I cleaned out my old Cruiser, I went to the dealership and bought another one. Ive owned my new Cruiser for about two hours now! For all the great reasons that we buy Cruisers - lets add safety to the list. That car protected me better than I ever imagined it would.

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  Blinded By The Light.. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By captjon36 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I havent owned an american car since 1980,they just seemed too cheap,too many defects.When I first spotted the 300c it was at nite,the dealer was closed and a satin jade pearL 300c sat there, shining in the twiLite,I couldnt take my eyes off of it The next day I was out test driving it,I havent driven A V8 in years,when I punched it I thought it was going to go airborn! A very smooth ride.A very attention getting car,it sure turns heads, Chrysler has A winner,sure to be a classic...

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  second review - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GERALD SCHWARTZ - July 4 - 10:00 am

  after 4 weeks, i find this by far the best chrysler i ever owned. it is a great buy. engine flawless. body tight.

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  every thing we need - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By buy it - July 4 - 9:19 am

  getting in and out of the front seats can give you a knot on your head. some what difficult to get in and out of the third row seat.a great highway family get a way car very little wind noise and a firm feel on the road.and it makes us feel we are wraped in a car that was made to protect your family!!!!!!!!!

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  Not happy with performance - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By boomers pt - July 3 - 7:16 pm

  Traded in 300m for Cruiser, have 77000 miles on it. I have had passenger side wheel bearing replaced 3 times and drivers side replaced once. Going on the third set of tires. Car is in the shop at least once a month. Numerous front end issues. Thank God I purchased the extended warranty. Added a K/N filter no improvement on gas mileage. Have had struts, tie rods, and numerous other front end replacements

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  Nice car, nice price - 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jim - July 3 - 9:06 am

  Mine is an AUTOMATIC, not manual. This site did not have that as a choice for the LX base model. The base model had all the options I needed. I was not expecting to buy a PT, originally I was looking for a small pickup with crew cab. But truck prices were too high so eventually I looked at and drove the PT. I liked it. Good visablity, comfortable seats, roomy interior, lots of cargo space, seems to be well made. Suspension is firm but not harsh, cabin is pretty darn quiet, might even be quieter then my Crown Vic. It has the electronic mileage readout and in town looks to run around 19 mpg and in mixed commuting type driving about 23 mpg. Engine power is adequate.