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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  This car is not so good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MMB1974 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I dislike my 2004 Pacifica and if I had it all to do over I would not have purchased it. The V6 at times is under powered, due to the fact that the car is extremely heavy. This also takes a toll on the gas mileage, which is much much lower than the sticker and most reviews indicate. In addition my 2004 has been having a belt issue that has not been resolved after 2 trips back to the shop. My car has been under repair so much that Im beginning to feel like the dealership loaner PT is my actual car. I would not recommend this car to anyone.

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  A car to avoid - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By RippedOff - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the most unreliable vehicle I ever purchased. Weve repaired the A/C 5 times, its gotten new heads, p/s pumps (3), water pumps (3), and a host of assorted items that my mechanic (Ive confirmed 80% of his diagnoses with the dealer) claims he never sees on other cars. Oh, replacing windshield wipers - $150 because the motor and wipers are hard connected.

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  never again - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By never again - May 2 - 6:33 am

  What a piece of garbage this car is. The front suspension is so weak and clunky, no one can seem to fix it. Yes this car is fun to drive but I expect problems when I drive it. I dont Dare hit a pot hole because it sounds like the bottom is going to fall out. Never again will I buy a Chrysler.

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  Fun to Drive - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By muellme60614 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  A solid good car that is fun to drive. A 2-door, but with the room of a 4- door and plenty of trunk space.

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  NEVER AGAIN!!! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By sucker4lemon - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car on 02/03/2003 on 2/14/03 the center brake light (in the back window) stopped working it took them to replace it entirely 02/07/03 Driver side window slow going up they lubed it said it would work 02/14/03 driver side window clicking noise when going down, upon inspection found excessive body flex (whatever that is) 03/06/03 driver side window stops half way upon inspection the window regulator cable was snapped replaced regulator and cable .now 04/2004 the windows are still broken and the transmission is going! DONT BUY THIS CAR

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  nice ..but complete junk - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By scott s - April 18 - 11:16 pm

  When I bought this car, it was my first car. I was very happy at the time I bought it. I bought it for 10,000 dollors and ended up putting another 7 on repairs. I only had this car for 6 months. 3 of which it was in the shop. It drives Nice, but it has to many problems. I need a new engine. The turbo leaked twice. The radiator leaked twice as well. The car overheated with coolet in the car!I am to poor to put that much money into a car .. So I traded it in for a 2208 Chevy silverado and gas isnt that much worse

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  2001 Sebring Limited - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sherry Altman - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Chryster really needs to work on the Sebring. I have had problems with my car such as transmission, fuel injectors, electronic door locks that I feel should not happen with a car less than 3 years old.

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  OK car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Themainwi - April 11 - 2:00 am

  The over all curb appeal is great but the 5 speed auto shift left something to be desired. The seats are comfortable but poor quality. The seats where trashed in less than a week. My pickup truck had better leather.

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  Some troubles - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By redtr6 - April 2 - 10:00 am

  The car has 4,000 miles on it and has been in the shop over 12 days. The majority of these days are for the fan belt pully replacement. When accelarating a slipping noise occurs. They attempted 3 times to fix. Now this week the check engine light came on and blinked rapidly. Called the dealer and they said not to drive and sent a flat bed to pick it up. They said that a computer board needed to be replaced. I have the car for about 70 days of which 12 have been in the shop. Not too happy with Chrysler.

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  wish I could do over - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rosemarie B - March 29 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned! I am a tall person and I find the car uncomfortable. The seatbelt chokes and burns my neck. The scoupe broke from being too low. I have had brake problems,panel probs,the car is uncomfortable for passengers taller than 5 ft. I feel boxed in between the roof hight and the steering wheel. Not good for long trips. I liked it in the beginning, but grew to dislike it.Turning radius awful. Sorry!