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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  PT Nightmare Cruise - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mbit - June 26 - 8:56 am

  Honestly the worst car I have ever owned. I am ready to push it over a cliff to take it out of my misery. It has been a maintenance nightmare. I have spent almost $6000 in maintenance this year alone.

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  Not very dependable - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By David Ulvestad - June 20 - 2:14 pm

  I bought a Cirrus when I came back from a year in England and at first was very excited about it. I was stepping up to a V-6 for the first time and the car had decent features. However I soon quickly learned that it was more than I bargained for. Even though it was Motor Trends Car of the Year in 95 (I still have the sticker in my window) it has had repeated problems. Transmission, lower ball joint, poor winter traction (w/new tires), A/C never works ($900 to fix), collant pump problems, dashboard lights burn out, etc. If the car is running properly, it is a great ride and fun to drive w/ the suspension it has but I to have had it behind a tow truck too many times.

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  A Decent Sports Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Zach Westover - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Why didnt the people who designed this car put in dual overhead cams it would greatly improve the horse power and if possible turbocharged it to make it a truly fast ride.

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  Biggest Mistake - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By TB - June 18 - 6:37 pm

  This car seemed like a great investment at 60,000 miles. It was initially very fun to drive, the pick up was great. Then one thing after another started to go: power locks, power seat, brake problems, the wheel literally fell off of the axle, the struts needed to be replaced, the transmission is going, cruise control works sometimes when it wants to and sometimes shuts my car off, problems with the battery connectors... Ive put way too much money into this car. Also, the seats are not comfortable for long trips and theres very little cup holder space.

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  Disappointing: Too Many Repairs - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Ann - June 17 - 3:37 pm

  I took good care of my car. Oil changes every 3000 miles, etc. Even though I only had 86,500 miles on this 10 year old vehicle, I did its 90,000 maintenance 2 months ago. And it croaked on the side of the road this week. It needs another $1200 to replace the distributor! The back window no longer works and I figure the exhaust system will need to be replaced soon. Forget it. Im tired of keeping the car repair companies in business.

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  Too Many Repairs - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kt - June 16 - 3:06 am

  Loved my cruiser for first 32,000 miles. I traveled extensively in my job so maintenance is always a priority. In 50,000 miles bushings replaced, left front wheel bearing and its still not fixed. The other wheel bearings will need replacing which shouldnt have occurred for a much longer time. Transmission problems, over 4 RPM going 50 mph even though the dealership said it was fine. Difficult to handle on the highway which wasnt a problem in beginning. Met other 2006 owners who travel a lot experiencing similar problems. One who buys PT Cruisers said 2006 has more problems than all the other PT Cruisers he has owned. Maybe this is why they didnt put the 100,000 mile warranty.

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  what I have - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By silver2002 - June 12 - 1:07 am

  well not to many things to report, other then a few things that well I see as if it where done right the first time then there would be no problems. but other then that, I love my sebring, never though that would be something that I would say, but more and more these days Ima thinking of moving to a differnt car company more and more every day,

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  Low Quality But Affordable Fun - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By ARX - May 27 - 2:04 pm

  Needs to be built better. Many little annoying part failures. Occational engine noise that no Chrysler Mechanic can find, but all can hear. Poor service as well. The drive train seems sloppy. Had trouble with stereo, which was replaced under warrantee (thank God). Braking is not as good as I would like. I would not buy another one, which is sad, as many people stop me and say how nice it "looks", then I tell them of all the little things that pop up now and then. Get with it US Auto Makers. Stop buying up all the imports and invest your cash in domestic quality up grades.

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  Nice car good reliability - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By dreamadj - May 21 - 9:54 pm

  The car is a very nice, car it drives smooth, great stero system , nice heating and air, very roomy , great sleek look, and nice family car, the only problems i have had is the fuel pump and an axel. But over all very nice car

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  Less then a year major problems - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Semmii - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Only having the vehicle for less then a year and only 15k + miles this vehicle has had major transmission and drive axle problems. Unbelievable that we have experienced such problems early in this vehicle?s life. Within the last two months it has been in the shop 50 of those 60 days in attempt to be repaired. Although we were once in love with the vehicle?s concept, we have lost all confidence in the safety of this car.