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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  nick,s thoughts - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By njdave - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Thus far I really like the car and its performance.

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  FUN, NEW CROSSOVER CAR/SUV - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PACIFICA PATTSY - May 20 - 10:00 am

  WE WENT TO THE DERLERSHIP TO BUY A LIBERTY, BUT AFTER DRIVING THE JEEP LIBERTY AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, THERE IS JUST NO COMPARISSON. THS CAR HAS A SMOOTH LUXURIOUS DRIVE, AND FEEL TO IT. SO MUCH ROOM, ANYONE THAT HAS GOOTEN IN MINE HAS BEEN PRESENTLY SUPPRISED.

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  Buyer Beware - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Sandy - May 18 - 4:32 pm

  I bought my 2001 300M because I loved the styling, the handling and performance,the ride was never great. Its a big car and I think the styling still turns heads. But the cabin is too noisy for a car of this value. Over 50 mph you must yell to rear passengers. The ride is a little bumpy but that may be the sportier suspension. The dealer had to replace the radio in the first year, a pain but it was covered. The rotors warped and had to be turned at 24,000 miles. I was seriously considering a new 2006 300C, but the transmission on the 2001 went this week at 62,500 miles. Thats it for me! Chrylser didnt want to know me so now I dont want to know them. Hello Toyota Avalon?

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  1997 Chrysler Sebring Review - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Fred - May 17 - 8:49 pm

  This vehicle is fun to drive and hugs the road at all speeds. It rides real smooth on open highway best. Shifting at high RPMs is smooth and powerful. Convertible model smart looking and by far the best design is the 1997. I will have no problem selling this vehicle when the time is right.

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  Surprised at the quality - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kevin - May 17 - 7:00 am

  What a nice surprise to buy an American made vehicle that does not shake rattle and roll. None of the annoying vibrations of the past. Fun to drive. Nice lines. Easy convertible conversion. Some road noise, but its a convertible! Good sound system. Small trunk. If the windshield and the front end was a little sleeker, it would look totally cool instead of practically cool.

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  Happy Touring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By statgo - May 16 - 8:47 pm

  Pleased with the mileage, pickup, braking, quiet drive and exterior look. Price and value are very good. Have not needed to return to dealer for any fixups.

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  My little Petey! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Denise - May 16 - 9:20 am

  I just purchased my bright blue PT Crusier last month and I love it.... I did take it on a trip and found the seats were not "giving" as my older cars were. But I get great gas mileage and my 2 sons, one who is 6"1" and the other almost as tall fit into the front or the back perfectfully!

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  SRT-6 LOVER - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dave - May 16 - 6:36 am

  this is the only car that kept me from buying a 05 Vette. love the power,styling,just a wonderful car. no regrets.

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  Decent ride for the buck - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bill Tabor - May 16 - 1:55 am

  I had just purchased a 2005 Chrysler Sebring LX Coupe, exterior Brilliant Silver, interior is toupe cloth. My choice of engine was the Mitsubishi built 4 cylinder with the automatic transmission. Great exterior styling, interior is a little plain and lacking in initial quality, ride is surprisingly quiet/ smooth, and the 4 cylinder Mitsubishi engine powers this vehicle w/ V-6 like performance. Bad points to date: Front rotors were warped upon my leaving the showroom w/ this vehicle, as steering wheel and brake pedal shakes/vibrates when attempting to slow down/stop. If this remains to be the only problem that Ill experience w/ this vehicle, only then will I give Chrysler a thumbs up !

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By joe faughnan - May 15 - 7:16 am

  This is a fun car to drive and it really turn the heads of people that are standing on the side of the road or in vehicle we pass. Every time I have to get gas, some other driver almost always asks for a "tour" of this vehicle. Very distinctive design that I still get positive comments on. Some folks in the trade magazines have complained that the motor is "too small", yet this car has been driven above 145 mph. I dont know how much bigger an engine is needed. There has never been a mechanical problem with this car. It was recalled once for a new radio with a better display screen, as the original one "washed out" in the sunlight. All this and a 70,000 mile/7 year warranty.