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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  Excellent!!! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By DarlingXO - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Perfect Car for anyone!

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  its a keeper - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By FREDE - October 20 - 10:00 am

  i have 40000 on this terriffic car i have flamed it hood scooped it installed 18in chome rims.it is inferno red i got to tell you wherever i go have have high praise for it.i plan on keeping this one even tho it is not a turbo.my plans are to purchase the convertible.o and i installed the latest retro tail lights,again i have had not 1 single problem with it and am very happy with it. PS MY DAD HAS ONE TO LOVES IT

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  Fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By j Fisher - October 20 - 9:13 am

  I really enjoy the car.It has all the power necessary, makes great noises,and has very comfortable seats. I am amazed by the gas mileage. I get 26mph in a mix of city and highway on 87 octane. I think a little more money spent on shocks would be well spent.They are a little more harsh than they need to be. The steering is also not up to normal German standards but all in all a great car for not a lot of money.

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  Love my Electric Blue PT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Marcie - October 20 - 3:33 am

  Ive had my PT for 3.5 years and just love it! The novelty hasnt worn off one bit. They have great family pricing specials on them so am looking at upgrading. I wont get any other car. Its a dream to drive and so much fun. I cant say anything bad about it at all. Ive never had it in for one repair, just regular maintenance checks. It almost breaks my heart to trade in my Petey but with the great deals ($7000 off), I cant turn down getting a 2007.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By JAREL8466 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  IVE HAD 1 OF THESE CARS SINCE THE 96 MODELS & I CANT POSSIBLY THINK OF A BETTER DESIGN 4 A CAR.

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  Looks Good, Fun at First, but just wait - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jahm - October 19 - 2:00 am

  At first I was very please with the car (got the lx with 6cyl not lxi). It was stylish and very peppy for a sedan, also handled great, even in rain or snow. But at around 25,000 miles, I found that you could take the key out while it was still in drive. Before I could take it in, I was driving and the engine locked up. Had it towed to a dealer, who asked me if I had my recipts for oil changes before they ever looked at it. Long story short, I only had a couple, and had to have engine rebuilt at 30K miles ($5k)not warrantied. Front end squeaks when you turn, and my timing belt just broke, opened engine to find completely sludged again. Found out that this engine has an oiling problem!

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  A GREAT vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By SweetWin7 - October 18 - 8:13 pm

  The AWD Pacifica is the best vehicle. I notice that it is missing from many reviews, and frankly I think that the reviewers are missing the mark on this one. This car is comfortable, is solid and responsive on the road and with the side curtain airbags in all three rows has the competition beat hands down for safety. When it comes to 5 star ratings, all ratings are basically in comparison to other vehicles in the same weight class. The physics of momentum and energy exchange, tell us that the heavier your vehicle is, the better it will fare on impact. Side & head air bags for all passengers is a necessary option for any vehicle. There is NO govt rollover warning on the visors of this car!

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  lotsa fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By svdv1972 - October 18 - 5:50 am

  Just came back from 2200 mi road trip and just loved the performance. Seating was very comfortable with wind blowing thru hair.

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  Horrible car - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Mad as hell - October 17 - 9:22 pm

  Bought the car with only 8000 miles. Has the car for a week and the transmission started acting up. Had to have a new transmission put in. Two weeks later started having the same problem. The repair shop has had my car more than I have. Called Chrysler resolution hopefully they will get me out of this vehicle and into something safer and more reliable.

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  177,000 Miles Later - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bacon777 - October 17 - 6:18 pm

  I bought this car in 2007 as a used car and got my moneys worth. I just passed the 177,000 mark and have had no serious issues but decided to trade it in after I started having my first mechanical problems. The thermostat went bad and then the heater core followed so instead of paying 800 to fix it, I decided it was time to trade it in, but 177,000 miles without any mechanical issues is impressive. Drives nice, was reliable, and fairly inexpensive but parts can be constly. I was told because it uses Mercedes parts as Mercedes owned Chrysler. Also, you have to deal with the ridicule of driving a PT Cruiser but if youre an older lady, you shouldnt have that problem