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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  Most Fun Car to Drive Love=Drive - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MFS - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive owed ever. Much Fun to drive, always a pleasure driving it. Ive met so many friends through this car. Love everything about it. Great Job Chrysler

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  Its A "Dream" - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By metalmancpa - February 15 - 2:00 am

  It looks awesome. It turns heads. It is fun to drive. It is roomy. Thats why you buy it. For those who complain about its performance - go buy a sports car. This car, with its 2.4L engine, was not meant to go 0-60 in a sec. Our Dream Cruiser replaced a 6-cyl. minivan, and the PT has more pep then the minivan (weight to engine ratio a factor). This is the MOST fun Ive ever had with a car - and that is its purpose. And it does get you from point A to point B.

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  I love this car! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CruzLow - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have NO complaints with the Cruiser that warrant criticism. I have owned many cars and am now retired. My Cruiser is a delight to drive. Very nostalgic - a SPECIAL car amongst so many "cookie cutter" designs on the road with little or no individuality.

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  Fun Car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BlueCruzzer - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Fun little car.

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  Happy Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By QuicksilverDon - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Compact on the outside, roomy on the inside. VERY comfortable. Solid, stable ride - its a heavy car, and not kicked around by winds, even tho it is taller than most cars. A lot of car for the money. I hear calls for better performance and better mileage - those things usually go in opposite directions, and Im happy with it as is. Good pep, mileage (auto) at 22 overall right now, and its climbing as I put on more miles. All cars are compromises - this one suits me perfectly.

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  Fun and flexible - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ckeehn - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Solid and dependable, a blast to drive Flexible interior

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  Nice little car! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By picabo1 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  We have not had this car very long but so far we love it.Very versital,comfortable,And best of all fun.Some have a problem with the power,but we find it more than sufficiant for a family/commuter car. Its not meant to be a sports car.The interior is as nice as the exterior and it is very comfortable. Would highly recommend this car.

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  5 for Fun - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Keehn - February 15 - 2:00 am

  More than adequate speed with the manual transmission. Solid build promises continued reliability Flexible interior Loads of fun to drive

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  Fun Ride - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bdudney - February 15 - 2:00 am

  So far, I cant complain about anything. I love My new PT Cruiser. DC has been excellent, as well as my dealership.

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  MY " TOY" - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Monk - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR/TRUCK A FEW WEEKS AND IT HAS BEEN BETTER THAN EXPECTED SO FAR. IT HANDLES WELL, ALTHOUGH IT COULD USE A LITTLE MORE POWER I KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT AND IT EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS