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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  Looks good in the shop - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By tbaughman - September 2 - 12:37 pm

  I really liked the style and speed of the Crossfire, unfortunately it has been in the shop numerous times in the short time I have owned it. Parts are hard to come by and trained technicians are even harder. The REALLY irritating thing is the depreciating value... We paid $40,000.00 for this car and now it is only worth $18,000.00! The upkeep on this car is a little pricey too.

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  used and nothing but issues - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By nicoleo - August 24 - 10:09 am

  this is my very first car. ive had it since October for my birthday. nothing but problems the thing leaks oil like no tomorrow breaks had to be changed a week or so after I got it while changing the breaks my dad noticed that the outside tire rods where hanging on by a thread that scared me quite a bit. the acceleration sucks! in Canada gas is cheap like 90cents a L so it takes about $25 to fill it from just under half. driving to school there and back is 30 ish km and 30 to the city cant wait to get rid of it!

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  cant wait for lease to be up - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By linda - August 20 - 7:13 pm

  I purchased the Pacifica over a year ago. In the beginning it was nice. Gas has been an issue with it, also very little storage space. Not comfortable on a drive over 2 hrs. Warning lights pop up every time it is cold and my cruise control works 1/2 the time. It has been towed away at least 4 times in past year for lights blinking until battery dies, seat belt jams a lot, airbag light is on for no reason found by mechanics at chrysler. I get compliments on the looks of it but when asked how i like it I have to be honest and say dodge caravan is a lot better!

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  2006 PT - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By speedo - August 12 - 1:40 pm

  Roomy Interior for bigger people with great leg room. Nice cargo space.Poor Fuel Mileage on automatic standard 4 cyl. Poor steering wheel placement for long rides. Easily fatigued on long rides over 150 miles for large/tall people. Performance lacks in every aspect.Rides like a cheap import. Brakes are somewhat lacking. Could use 4 wheel disc standard.

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  Love/Hate Relationship - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By laurheis - August 2 - 2:00 am

  My husband is in love with this car. Very smooth ride. The kids love their captains chairs. However, its been in for service 11 days already - weve owned it just over a month. Engine control computer and radio replaced, work done to power liftgate, and now we have a possible suspension problem. I dont like how noisy the engine is, but thats just a personal thing with me.

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  Bumpy - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By nancy - July 16 - 1:33 am

  I love the look of this car. It is classy looking. Somewhat disappointed in the suspension. I had in garage twice to check struts. It is like driving a truck when on rough roads. I wonder if it is just my car or the make of the car. Other than that--i love the car just wish the ride was better.

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  Buyers Beware!!!!! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Halley - July 10 - 6:01 am

  I havent even had my Sebring LXI for 1 year and I have already had problems! My sunroof doesnt shut and to fix it will be over $500, my transmission is slipping, the side panel of the exterior passenger side door is coming off, my drivers side door is loose and does not close properly (bolts need to be tightened and to do that I have to take off the fender = big project,not fun), windows dont always like to close. I thought I was in love with the car when I first bought it but now I know it was just a huge waste of money!!!!

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  Great car with lousy engine - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Hayabusa4u - July 6 - 2:33 am

  This car was very reliable and I never had a problem with it, but is horribly underpowered. The gas mileage is awful as well. I was actually scared a few times getting on the freeway because I couldnt accelerate fast enough. I will never buy another PT Cruiser. To top it all off, the resale value is a joke. The car was not even worth half what I paid for it just 2 years earlier. I just bought a Toyota Camry and what a difference. It gets great gas mileage and can actually accelerate up a hill. I hope the next PT Cruiser has some power, and better resale value, because I really do like the styling.

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  Disappointing: Too Many Repairs - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Anne from Ohio - June 30 - 1:50 pm

  I bought my Cirrus new. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles and was religious about routine maintenance. It was a good car for the first 7 years. But then it all went down hill. It has been in the shop so often that I finally had to get rid of it so that I could get something reliable. Now the distributor needs to be replaced at only 86,500 miles! Several other things are also wrong, including a window motor and the A/C condensor. A new car payment will cost less than maintaining this disappointing vehicle.

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  First Car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sean - June 28 - 9:26 pm

  This car was a great first car. The major problem that I had with the car was that everything started to break at aroung 75,000 miles. The air-conditioner is a real problem. I had it fixed once, but it broke again a year later. The compressor broke in two. That is a fundamental design problem. Also this car is very expensive to fix. I would suggest if you like the looks of this car get a newer one and trade it in before it reaches 75,000 miles. If you are on the tall side the seat may be a little uncomfortable on long trips. It tends to round your shoulders forward which on short trips is fine, but it really starts to hurt your back after a while.