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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  I Aint never had Too Much Fun ! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dobro - January 9 - 11:16 pm

  Roadsters are for FUN, period. Ive owned MGs, a Miata, and have driven a dozen other ragtops,and the Crossfire is the most FUN of them all. As Crossfire demand slackened, I got a screaming deal on a barely used 6 speed Limited Roadster, and I still have to pinch myself to see if Im dreaming. Its as if a Cadillac had a drunken fling with a Boxter, and the result is this precision German machine wearing a rodeo belt buckle. Great handling, great top mechanism, great stereo, great aesthetics. A keeper.

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  GT Turbo - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Michael - January 8 - 8:00 am

  This PT is fun to drive and has more than enough power. Gas mileage is not great but respectable. Handles good on the highway. Manufacturer paid a lot of attention to detail and it shows. Turning radius needs to be corrected, cannot make a u turn and expect not to hit curbs. Needs light in glovebox and under the hood. Owners manual should be for each model instead of multi-models.

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  Run ... run fast from this cloud car - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Mike835 - January 7 - 9:37 pm

  The Cirrus is a fine looking automobile. And that is the last good thing I can say about the car. I have owned this particular car for less than 6 years and it has seen the back of a tow truck about 7 times. A few years ago the starter quit and 2 weeks later the transmission needed replacement. Two weeks after that the front ball joint assembly had to be replaced. Other replacenments were water pump, power steering lines, tie rod ends, exhaust system, electronic spark distribution system, spark plugs, AC components, blower motor control resistor element, timming belt, rear defogger control module, and even the gas tank filler spout. The ABS system packed it in as well.

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  04 sebring ragtop - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By wanda - January 7 - 12:59 am

  2nd sebring convertible - had 1997 and just loved it. couldnt wait to get the new style - much sleeker design - has very large trunk space and enough leg room that the back seat is actually usable, unlike the mustang which looks good but in reality, only sits 2... will keep for 5-6 years and probably start looking for another new one.

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  fun ride - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By markiewiczc@aol.com - January 6 - 2:00 am

  use car on weekends and trips of 3 hours or more. you have to keep looking at the speedometer - you find yourself driving at speeds well over the posted speed limt and dont know it. i would recomend this car to anyone looking for a fun ride. ive only had the car since july 4,of this year but the car has just been exceptional. the mercedes influence on this car makes it a great buy.

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  Very Comfortable - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cleary - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Have only had this car a few weeks, but it is very comfortable to drive compared to the mini-van we had, and my husband (who is well over 6 feet tall) loves the head and leg room in both the front and back seats. Not much cargo space at all but if you only have two kids like us, the rear seats fold down and provides more room.

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  PT Cruiser Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By texas lady - January 6 - 1:43 am

  The way the trunk lid opens could be improved. My butt is actually sticking out to the public as I have to bend over to put my things into the trunk. Gas mileage is not as good as one would think with it being a small car with a four cylinder. I average 19 around town and 22/24 on the highway. Fun car to drive. I absolutely love my convertible top. Easy to put down and back up.

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  2005 PT Cruiser Turbo 5speed.... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By smokinghalo - January 5 - 11:32 pm

  LOVE this car. I bought it to replace my falling apart 1998 Honda Accord. Sure Ive had some mechanical issues with it, but nothing thats left me stranded. Car came with the extended Chrysler Gold Plan that covered the front control arms (common problem, the bushings like to fail), the oil pressure switch (common failure in a LOT of Mopars) and the front wheel bearings. I work for a dealer so I know the issues these have (multifunction switch, wiper nozzles like to die, but the biggest problem was the control arms. The A/C suction line died too but that was also covered under warranty. Gas mileage sucks, but hey, its a 220HP turbo monster convertible!

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  Second One.. - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By TC - January 5 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this one used. I own a 1997 Concorde and love it. This one is even better.

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  2005 Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jim Fisk - January 4 - 4:25 pm

  Just bought this car a week ago.. And it is GREAT. Very fun to drive, great handling. Looks inside and out are GREAT