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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  the best car i ever had - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By washka_rus - July 3 - 4:07 am

  I bought my 96 chrysler sebring in september of last year and i had a chevy tahoe 98 but i feel way safer in my car than i did in the tahoe. i mean i like chevy a lot but this car is so good in the winter. I live in anchorage, alaska and let me tell you its the best ever. The best of all its nice and its a head turner and its fast.

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  Leased for 3 years, I bought it today! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave - June 30 - 9:19 pm

  I moved from a Grand Cherokee to my Pacifica 3 years ago. It is the best all-purpose vehicle Ive driven since 1956. Five Star service has been excellent, and I am pleased to see so many other Pacificas on the roads nearby. Approaching lease end, I considered several other cars to purchase/lease, and decided that keeping this one was my best balanced choice. Im looking forward to many more miles of very safe and very comfortable travel.

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  P/T Convertible is Solid & Fun - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dogchow - June 30 - 4:13 pm

  I was especially impressed with how sturdy and solid this car is, especially after being disappointed with the feel of the Sebring convertible. This convertible is also surprisingly quiet with none of the highway wind noise usually associated with a convertible. Very comfortable car.

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  Good Car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By an owner - June 26 - 10:48 pm

  Car drives and handles great. Good car for traveling and everyday use.

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  Ill miss this car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By wythany - June 26 - 5:27 pm

  Ive had my 300M for almost 7 years, the longest Ive ever kept a car. (I bought my first in 1968.) I had always driven small foreign coupes before this car, but I fell in love with the styling and it was time for a "grown- up" car. I didnt expect to like driving such a big vehicle, but the engine has so much power Ive enjoyed every minute behind the wheel. Ive also loved all the cargo and passenger space. It has been quite reliable, though now, at 71,000 mi., Im beginning to have electrical problems. And Ive decided I need AWD, so Im getting ready to trade in my M. I will miss it, no matter what replaces it. And it will always rank right up there with my very favorite cars.

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  Former Sebring Owner - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dmockensturm - June 26 - 12:23 pm

  This car was in the shop every three months the entire time we owned it. It was a horrible purchase.

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  cruisen - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By T.D. - June 26 - 10:00 am

  fun, fun, fun! Super good looks! Beautiful wheels, ex. build quality. Love it in Stone White with a wing.

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  The PT Cruiser Blues - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By garcande - June 25 - 9:59 am

  I recently purchased a beautiful 05 Cruiser Touring Convertible with only 26,000 one owner miles. I bought it from the local Lexus dealer who said it was a trade in. It looks immaculate and garage kept. I had driven about 1000 miles when the electric top riser went out. I took it to my mechanic, he tinkered around with it, but said it wasnt his area of expertise and he was going on vacation. The next day the air conditioner went out. I took it to another mechanic and it was the compressor, of course, and cost $1200 to fix. By contrast, the air on my 96 VW just went at 15K miles! And, I still havent fixed the top. To be continued...

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  INCREDIBLE VALUE - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hussam Khoury - June 24 - 8:36 am

  I have had my signature series for slightly over a month. I love the suspension, design and features this car came with. 3.6 Liters is plenty of power for everyday driving.

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  Susies Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue Dukatnik - June 23 - 6:34 pm

  I just bought my pacifica and I love it. It has plenty of room with seats up or down, handles well and it is just pretty. I have always had a jeep but decided to try the pacifica, I am very happy with it. The dealership i bought my car at is great, the salesmen were very helpful and i have dealt with them before. I will again.