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:

• 

  NEW OWNER - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By BILL GRAFF - August 8 - 2:00 am

  SECOND SEBRING CONV. OWNED; 2004 APPEARS TO IMPROVEMENT OVER 98 MODEL.LITTLE DISAPPOINTED WITH RESPONSE EVENTHOUGH RATED AT 200HP DOES NOT APPEAR THAT MUST QUICKER THAN THE 98 MODEL.

• 

  Double the fun - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dan Labrecque - August 6 - 11:53 pm

  My wife leased a 2004 Pacifica and she loves it. The only problem is that I never get to drive it. I took care of that problem, I just leased a 2005 AWD Limited Pacifica. Now the problem is keeping her away from my Pacifica! I just went to work for a new company and they let me chose any vehicle that I wanted, I didnt even have to think about it.

• 

  Worst car ever owned! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By classicsrock - August 6 - 7:46 pm

  i bought a 2001 pt cruiser 3 weeks ago...a weeks after i bought it i had to put in new ball joints and bushings and put 4 brand new tires on it. then last weeks i broke down on the side of the rd, the timing belt went and ruined all the valves and failed the compression test, the motor was junk so needless to say i will NEVER buy another one complete junk! i should have bought the Chevy Camaro i was headed to go look at the but saw the pt on my way their biggest mistake! now Im out a couple thousand dollars and no car. for anyone thinking about buy a pt, dont, just keep driving!

• 

  Grannys new ragtop - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jennie Robbins - August 5 - 2:41 am

  For a seven yr old car it has plenty of get up and go. People notice it. I bought it on line, and drove it home (1,000 miles) with no problems. It is smooth shifting and has plenty of power for this 60 yr old grandmother. I prefer it to my vintage corvette.

• 

  Love the Cirrus! - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Gutterflower - August 4 - 11:07 am

  I bought the car in January with 112,000 kms (previously only had 1 owner), and now its got 132,000 kms and I still havent brought it to a mechanic. We will bring it in for a check up before our third trip to see if everything is good. Theres some squeakiness from the front end when going on bumps, but thats about it.

• 

  "Car of the Year" Performance - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By m rizzi - August 3 - 9:33 pm

  Thought youd like to know how the "Car of the Year" has performed for me. Here is the repair record for my 300 Limited since 7/30/04: Right Lead/Alignment - 4 repair attempts; Clunking Noise in Rear End - 7 repair attempts; Defective Door Panel - 1 repair attempt; Recall for Radiator Brackets - 1 repair attempt; Electrical Problem w/Drivers Window - 4 repair attempts; Defective Seat Riser - 2 repair attempts; Defective Air Bag Sensor - 3 repair attempts; Electrical Problem with Wipers - undetermined(part on order).

• 

  PT Cruiser Touring - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mjb457 - August 3 - 7:26 pm

  Bought new,,,, drove it 99k miles so far....normal routine maintenence, one of Chryslers all time best sellers( average mpg 20mpg)HONDA,TOYOTA CONTINUE TO BUILD AND INPROVE/// CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME- A CLASSIC.

• 

  Great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Raf - August 2 - 1:30 pm

  This car is the best value on the market today. It is loaded with features from more expensive cars but at a much more affordable price. The ride is terrific, the performance is terrific, the interior and ride are very comfortable. Frequently I receive comments from other about the styling. People seem to really like it. Not just another generic car.

• 

  Muscular & Buff - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Myron - August 2 - 2:00 am

  The buying experience first of all was comfortable and pleasent at this dealership... The cars lines contour to a WIDE Muscular and Buff look which brings you the feeling of power when you drive. But you do not need the looks to feel the power, it has pleanty of power no matter what some of the professional reviewers say. For a normal consumer who likes the feel of quick and fast this car performs well. I think if it had the 2% more power that the professional reviewers wanted , we all would be getting tickets everother time our of the pits, (garage).

• 

  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.