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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  love my cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By marcy almendarez - November 19 - 2:00 am

  i had some proublems with my cruiser when i first gor it, but the dealer fixed them right up, i love my car it is fun to drive and handles well

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  satisified customer - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By KITTYBABY - November 17 - 11:55 pm

  So far this vehicle has performed greatly and we love the comfort of sitting and ability to remove seats and use it to haul larger items. Great heater and air conditioner. Smooth ride

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  2002 PT Cruiser LTD. - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pbrooks3 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  A fun car to drive! The 5-speed has plenty of pick-up for my driving, both around town and on trips. It handles really nicely, and is very comfortable for both driver and passengers. There is plenty of room for whatever I need to carry, and my friends love to ride in it!

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  AWESOME CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GIGGLES012773 - November 15 - 5:56 am

  I went from a 2002 Dodge quad cab to this awesome car and I love it. I never thought I could trade my truck in but when I saw the 300c in deep lava red I just had to have one. then I drove it home! The power and the look of this vehicle is unmatched. I get looks no matter where I am at. The interior is also bigger then one would expect. I fit 3 children comfortably in the back. The only thing I do not like about the car is the headrest on the passenger seat, it is to foward. I dont have to worry about it though because if I am in the vehicle I want to be the one driving it!

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  Reliving my 20s - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Martyh1957 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This convertible is great! I love being on of the first to own it. The engine is very peppy, the sound system is wonderful and I love the rag top. If it would only warm up a bit and stop raining!

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  Bad Brakes at 20K - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wwkwcw03 - November 14 - 9:16 am

  I always loved the look of the PT so I broke down and bought one in 2007. Since my purchase have had it in the shop 4 times for check engine light and now I am having to replace the brakes and rotors and barely have 20K miles. Service personnel said they have had this trouble with the PT Cruisers. Why didnt they tell me that when I bought it? No wonder Chrysler is needing a bailout when they make such bad cars. I have never bought a new car that needed any major mechanical work before 30K and most didnt need work until 60K miles. I am very disappointed in this car and will never buy a Chrysler again.

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  Very poor qaulity. Very displeased. - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By antho59263 - November 14 - 3:37 am

  This car has been a major pain & costly to own. In the three years we have owned the car each of the power door lock motors went out one at a time costing about $200 each to replace. I have taken it into the Chrysler dealer every three months since April 2004 for transmission repairs. Each time the dealer gouged us any where from $200-$500. Its also needed emmision repairs, speaker replacement, computer repairs.

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  Better GPH and a lil more pickup - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By crystal - November 14 - 3:13 am

  We just purchased this car last month. It seemed like the MPG was going well at first, but it took a downfall. I am an all city driver and need good GM. I am sad that I was mislead on the MPG. This car is a little sluggish on acceleration (turbo may be better). Other than these two things I totally love the car! While I can live with a little bit of slug I cant live with MPG. Sadly, it may have to go when I can get something else. Or, maybe they will improve it next year and I can get a better PT. I think they look smoking hot. - Hope this helps anyone looking at these cars.

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  I got a Lemon ! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Angel - November 13 - 11:06 pm

  I have been very didiapointed in this car ....rite from the first week the car started giving me problems with stalling, slow starts, delayed start after turning the key, loud noise coming from the engine , shaking when parked or at red light,loud knocking and thud under the floor board under my feet on drivers side , poor gas mieliage , problem with the phone feature , speakers not working properley , lunging foward, gas pedal not working properley causing it delay on pressing the gas.....I hate this car im going the Magnoss and Moss law. lemon has to much arbritration to go through and takes to long magnoss and moss is only a ten week process , they will usally make chrysler buy back car

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  300M & lovin it : ) - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Chrysler 300M Lover - November 13 - 4:57 pm

  fantastic road car ....27mpg road 17 city .....great on curves as it HUGS the contour .....heated seats are great