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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  Crossfire as a Daily Driver - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cobera - December 13 - 1:21 pm

  My 2004 Crossfire is used as a Daily Driver and in that role it is very excellent and durable. Overall on the highway, my 6 Speed manual averages 27 MPG. I now have 16,000 miles on the car and to date not one thing has gone wrong. The build quality is very good. I am running four snow tires in the winter months and it runs well in the snow. I would highly reccomend the Crossfire. Other cars I have owned are the Lexus SC400 and Chrysler 300M.

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  5 Speed the way to go - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By local cruiser - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The over-all quality of the car is very good. Only problem found is the 4 speed automatic transmission. This transmission has problems in getting stuck in second gear after a complete stop. No codes register so the dealer cant address the problem as per Chrysler. Chrysler .... what ever happened to "customer service" ...

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  Love my 300C!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Metwo - December 11 - 11:43 am

  I am a prior Cadillac owner, but I love my 300C more! A very smooth ride, and with the Hemi, tons of power. The interior feels very plush and comfortable. Leather interior and heated seats, love it. A quiet, comfortable ride that takes the stress out of commuting. You can feel the car hug the road on corners. It is definitely a head-turner.

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  Very Disappointed - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Debbie - December 10 - 11:30 pm

  Ive owned my car for a little over 2 1/2 years. Last summer Chrysler had to put a new engine in it. 3 months later the bushings had to be replaced. Im lucky it was still under warranty. Now the car just wont start. I was stranded at the store, called AAA and had to leave it in the parking lot. Going to get rid of it asap. I have to get it running first. Bad thing is I still have another year to pay on it. I will not purchase another Chrysler.

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  Head Turner! - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By Jotman - December 9 - 10:09 pm

  Ive had this for two weeks and have never had more attention in my life. You cant help but feel good driving it and others smile when you go by. 10-20 years from now youll get the same looks! Only 11,000 cars ever made. First one sold for $141K last $175K Im holding on to this one, keep the miles low and hoping for a great return. If it never happens Who cares this is fun to drive and will never drop below 20K. Wish I could say that for all my other cars.

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  sporty, fun ecconomical - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tap - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Drove this car to Florida from Ohio in snow, ice rain and sun- No problems, great top action, easy,tight and better for heat than steel top, slightly more sroad noise than steel but no bad. Love the car, would buy another in a heartbeat- Great back seat compared to most four-seaters.

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  Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Burton Schulman - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up this car 2 weeks ago and am very very pleased with the performance. The new design is beautiful and the hemi engine is incredible, the navigation system is simple to use,the Boston Acoustics sound is second to none.The U connect hands free communication telephone is safe ...all in all its probaly one of the best all around cars I have owned,,,,,,,,,,,,

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  If I could set this car on fire..I WOULD - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Miserable - December 9 - 4:03 am

  Ive had my Limited Edition for 9 years now. Its been a nightmare for 7 of those years. At 15K miles the brake system had to be overhauled to the tune of $600. 30K...brakes AGAIN...38K both tail light assemblies had to be replaced...40K Headlight assemly this time...56K Rotars and Calipers...68K Radiator AGAIN...and on it goes. Just hit 80K and Im still having issues with the brake system. I started out loving this car...now I loathe it...final words? BURN BABY BURN!

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  Fun car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Punzy - December 5 - 9:50 pm

  This is a fun little car. Two seater with a fairly larger truck space. Lots of room inside compared to other cars in its class. Has two different size tires though making rotation impossible. Small rear window makes viewing hard. This car will fly if it needs to.

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  watch your backing - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Geno - December 5 - 9:48 pm

  Ive only had one minor problem with the car and that is the blind spots when backing, theyre horrendous! As far as styling, interior, and fun factor the car is great exceeding my expectations!