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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  Dont buy a Chrysler - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By Not to happy - February 12 - 7:54 pm

  I thought this would last longer, but at 103,000 miles my car is a piece of junk according to the mechanic. It is falling apart, A/C continuosly breaks, computer and electrical problems, sagging headliner, leaking engine hoses. Too much money to repair. This car was great in the beginning but it isnt lasting very long. I would have gotten more time and a better deal with a foreign car. Interior and exterior look nice cosmetically however nothing works. Radio and CD player broke, passenger window doesnt work, battery continuosly shorts out. Never another Chrysler! Oh and struts are shot too!

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  Love my PT - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By solem6 - February 11 - 4:40 pm

  I love my PT! My kids enjoy riding it and think it looks cool. I wish it got better gas mileage and I hate the interior fabric. It stains just from water so it makes it bad with 3 kids. Lots of room in the hatch back. Would recommend buying this car.

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  Fun 2 Drive - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By DCARR - February 10 - 9:34 pm

  I originally bought this car from the 2nd owner with 95K on it. I needed a second car to get me to/from my train station stop. Ive only put about 10K on this car. Had some major problems with off with the distributor and the computer...replaced both at a cost of over $1500. Replaced the tires and did the front brakes. I passed it on to my son when he turned 17 and its a perfect vehicle for a high schooler. Looks sporty but the V6 is a bit under- powered, I feel confident there is enough weight to the vehicle in case hes in an accident. Overall, a good, but not great car. I like the era of Chrysler styling much more than their boxy macho lineup of today.

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  power options - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By rob - February 10 - 10:29 am

  i like the car but have afew probs the radio at 58000 click then I hadto fix engine light prob $400 now my prob is seat goes forward instead of back on entryand mirrors go all the way up I have to manually adjust every time.

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  Gas mileage and looks - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By William - February 10 - 9:11 am

  We bought this sedan after looking at and test driving Honda Accords, Pontiac G6s, Dodge Chargers. Despite what professional reviewers say this car has a great look on the outside and inside. The inside is kinda a art deco look and just feels.. classy. the 4 cylinder is not going to slam you into the seats but it has respectable power and handling. If you are looking to buy American and get a good looking car that gets great gas mileage, look no further.

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  A great car... with medicore reliability - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Yoda46 - February 4 - 7:00 pm

  I bought the car new. I now have 115k miles on it. I like the car overall, but I wish my experience were as perfect as some other posters. The car has not been a lemon, but has required several repairs that I would not expect to have needed on a Honda or Toyota in the same time frame (or on a Ford or GM for that matter): Replaced warped front brake rotors twice (and I am easy on brakes), replaced water pump twice, replaced power steering pump, replaced front tie-rods, replaced transmission support cradle, recharged AC twice.

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  very nice - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By imcd - February 2 - 4:17 pm

  i have had this car for almost 2 years now. when i was first going to buy a car for my wife i test drove many other models in the midsized sedan market. this one stood out for a few reasons, a great stereo and a long list of features this is the touring 2.4 liter model. first anyone who buys a car for reliability doesnt love cars or even car, they just want it to run so dont right a review. this car has had not had a single problem. dont drive it like you stole it and service it and it shouldnt. this car was cheaper than any of the other makes and looks way more expensive. it has more features and if you arent reviewing the car like ze Germans then then you realize this is a nice car

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  Happy - 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By hank - January 28 - 1:40 am

  Yes there are nicer cars out there but not for $10,990. Yes, I stole it brand spanking new 2010 (list $18,995). L for that kind of money if you buy anything else you need a dog and a White cane. So what that it gets 21 mpg average. In 100,000 miles I will spend 920 gallon more than in the Kia soul (26 mpg average), which is $2760+ 10,995=$13,755. Cant buy a soul loaded with identical equipment and none of those can tow a motorcycle trailer. Enough said.

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  This is a Smile Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ed Ellis - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. I now have 3 of them. 1-2001, 1-2002 and 1-2003. I just returned to Philadelphia driving the 2003 to Orlando, FL and back. Enjoyed ride and comfort

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  I Hate my Car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By mrswoods0331 - January 24 - 3:49 am

  Ive wanted a 300m since the 10th grade and finally purchased one. The day after buying my car it began to stall coming off the interstate. Had to have it towed to the dealer had to have a water pump and starter put on. Within weeks, My steering wheel had to be turned about a 90 deg angle to go straight. Had to replace tie rods and wheel bearings. Long to short, my car has been in the shop 8 times in 16 mo. I had problems with AC buttons going out at random, two broken window motors, crank sensor, and transmission. Just yesterday I have noticed the sound of air coming from under my hood when accelerating. It sounds like brakes would if they needed to be bled. I hate my Chrysler with a passion.