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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  2006 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convert - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By rdc - January 4 - 2:26 am

  For the price, its a great little car. Four adults can actually fit in this convertible - great for our two grandkids. Better ride than I expected and quieter than I expected. This is our Florida car and the top is rarely up.

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  I love this car!!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tina - January 2 - 11:06 pm

  I bought this car about 2-3 weeks after it came out on the showroom floor. It handles very well and the top is quite easy to operate, especially when getting caught in the rain! The only complaint I have is the trunk. When youre putting something in it, you have to bend under, and Ive hit my head more than once, but the pros far outweigh the cons in my opinion!!!

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  Stylin Sebring - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Angie - January 2 - 4:33 pm

  Overall, this has been a great car. Its been very reliable, and I love the pick-up of the 3.0 V6. I get compliments on the body style all the time, and the black paint looks so sleek! Well, it used to until it recently started to fade and oxidize like you wouldnt believe. Especially on the roof and trunk. Dealer said theyd cover the cost of repainting those areas, so well see how that goes. Other than the paint, its been a great car, and Ive had no major problems.

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  dales hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dale foster - January 2 - 3:06 pm

  I have been a car freak my entire life,show cars and hot rods have been my passion, I have had my cars featured in hot rod magazine and engines annual, so I know cars. The 300c is the 15th new car I have purchased and is now my favorite. Everything designed into a car has some sort of compromise, you want to go fast? Usually rough idle and poor milage. You want to go thru a corner at high speed? forget a good ride. The 300c has blended all of the things I love in a car in such a way that I cant find any major flaws in it. It is plenty fast, it handles very well, the ride is certainly acceptable as is the fuel consumption. The guages are well thought out and steering wheel controls are great

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  PT Cruiser - over rated - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By unitrorent - January 1 - 7:16 pm

  The very poor gas mileage for a small car in not acceptable. My car has been back to the dealer (s) 3-4 time for major problems (dash board cluster, front end problems (still need fixing), radio and the list goes on. Their dealers dont check for anything that isnt on the job order. The warranty for 36000 miles is way behind other cars. I wouldnt but another PT Cruiser

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  Great car before 70K Miles - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By michellea - January 1 - 6:07 pm

  The 300M is luxurious to drive, very comfortable and has great power. I absolutely loved it until it hit 70,000 miles. Since then I have had nothing but problems. It is in the shop every couple weeks. I have had to replace so many things that I am afraid to drive it. I recommend this vehicle if you plan on selling it before 70K miles.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jean Taylor - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I found the car to ride very nicely and the adjustability of the seats for the driver and passenger helped. I like the both the interior and exterior design much better than the Murano and Infinity FX, which look very masculine. The cargo cover is much better than either also, because it can be moved up to cover more interior space. I like the weight and believe it gives the car more roadability. I was not interested in a car that jumps out of the gate, but prefer a smooth and pleasant ride and feel. The exterior color selection is a nice variety and the car looks good in any of them.

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  PT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pl999 - January 1 - 10:00 am

  Great all rounder, fun to drive, versatile and economic.

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  Over 40k - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Not so happy - December 31 - 11:01 pm

  Car did ok until it hit 40k, then things started to go wrong - sway bar bushings (common problem), transmission cooler leak (common problem Im told, expensive to fix) and so on. 7/70 warrenty doesnt cover any of these things.

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  Watch out! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Fred - December 31 - 1:20 pm

  Looks great..fun to drive, but not reliable! Before the engine blew at 136,000 miles without warning on Thanksgiving Day, stranding my family far from home..mechanic was amazed because the car had been meticulously maintained mechanically: The car rolled backwards when parked and gear shift stopped shifting smoothly..fixed 9 months before the recall, Chrysler REFUSED to pay us back..they couldnt be sure the problem was actually fixed. I sent documentation. They didnt care! Replaced 3 defective rims, 2 power windows, tie rods and alternator before 90,000 miles. The Dash lights started flickering affecting radio and heater..computer was going out. Not buying a Chrysler again!