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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  Sebring - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By K - June 29 - 3:29 pm

  I bought this car from my mother, who bought it new. We both have enjoyed it. My only disappointment is the sound system. The controls on the console do not work properly. Other than that it would be perfect.

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  Horrible car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mrloyd - June 29 - 8:50 am

  The car gets 17 mpg, which is awful. You cant see traffic lights if you are the first car because of the sloping roof. The seat feels like you are on a bar stool and about to fall off, and is so narrow you have to sit on top of the bolsters, and I am thin! Front end drags when you hit the slightest dip. When cornering, tornado effect throws all loose items around car. Passengers usually complain of motion sickness. If something falls off the seat you will have to pull over to retrieve it. If you try to get something out of the passenger floor, the seatbelt will stab you in the ribs quite painfully. The removable seats are so heavy you cant remove them, or but them back. This car is terrible

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  Excellent Vehicle - Expensive to Repair - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By MN_LXi_Pilot - June 28 - 10:22 pm

  This is the best car I have EVER owned, and Ive owned a few in my short time. Performs relatively well, although the 2.5L V6 is anemic at around 160 HP. Handling is great, performs well is most situations, but does tend to exhibit slight understeer qualities, but the length of the wheelbase helps to keep it contained. Now I have over 165,000 miles on it... and these were not your putt putt grandma miles either... I beat the crap out of my cars. Dont feel bad though because I do take care of them, obviously. 150000 before I needed to replace the infamous A604 atransmission. Even now with 165000 it runs just as strong as when I bought it. "Dime" repairs now... time to sell. Ill miss it

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  Most awesome car Ive ever owned - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By RG - June 28 - 9:50 pm

  Ive never had so much fun driving a car. Ive been driving for 40 years and have owned everything from street rods to luxury cars, but my 300C is by far the best all around car Ive ever owned. You cant beat the combination of head turning styling, comfort, roominess and awesome performance. I feel like a teenager again, always looking for an excuse to take the car out. My favorite thing about the 300C is the smooth raw power and handling on the highway, especially when you want to pass.

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  First Car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sean - June 28 - 9:26 pm

  This car was a great first car. The major problem that I had with the car was that everything started to break at aroung 75,000 miles. The air-conditioner is a real problem. I had it fixed once, but it broke again a year later. The compressor broke in two. That is a fundamental design problem. Also this car is very expensive to fix. I would suggest if you like the looks of this car get a newer one and trade it in before it reaches 75,000 miles. If you are on the tall side the seat may be a little uncomfortable on long trips. It tends to round your shoulders forward which on short trips is fine, but it really starts to hurt your back after a while.

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  Best Car Ive Had in 20 Years - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Nancy - June 28 - 12:23 am

  I have had a Jaguar,300Z, Cadillacs...and nothing compares to the comfort and luxury of the Pacifica. It handles like a dream. Whatever Chrysler has done in the last few years, it really shows.

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  So far so good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By atexasjay - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car and, though expensive, a good deal can be had if you look around a little. Great to drive and lots of safety features. The blind spot people keep bringing up isnt a big problem if you set your mirrors properly.

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  nice nice nice - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jamie65666 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The steering is awesome. Ride quality is like sleeping on a beach sand.

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  Drives like a dream - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By SARAH STEWART - June 26 - 11:13 pm

  My Pacifica drives like a Cadillac. It is a real pleasure to get behind the wheel. When I drive on the express-way, it will really fly! With the gas crunch right now, it is a little rough on the pocketbook. It doesnt get great mileage in the city. My Big complaint about the Pacifica is its limited rear vision.To me, it is a major design flaw. If I had test driven it on the freeway for any length of time, I probably would not have bought it!! It was an impulse buy because of its great looks and fabulous ride. It has the potential to be quite dangerous because it is hard to see whats coming up on your sides. The back window is too small.

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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.