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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  2005 Crossfire Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Linda Thompson - March 17 - 2:56 am

  Age 53- first purchase of a sportscar/ convertible. Most fun ever to drive, looks from all who go by. Impressed by Mercedes participation. Going on driving trip- husband says lack of luggage space is not a bad thing.

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  Love This Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Charla Hemme - March 13 - 9:10 pm

  Love this car. It is a real head- turner, too. We bought a black 300C this month and my husband and I both love to drive it...but its my car and I let him drive it sometime! All the guys at work love the way it looks like a muscle car but also looks like a luxury car. The black metalic is just beautiful. We also looked at a Silver one at the dealer that was gorgeous but decided on the black. A lady I work with wants one now....she drive a black Lexus and was thrilled to see all the bells and whistles that my car has but the Lexus does not (for a tremendous difference in price!). What a bargain this car is! No other luxury car can come close to the price for the options available.

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  The Practical Transport Cruiser - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By vincentorta - March 9 - 8:16 pm

  So far I am absolutely thrilled with my new PT. What does PT really stand for anyways? Oh well, Ive been wanting one since the year they came out with them...whenever that was? Seems like a long time ago. I bought another vehicle and was totally displeased...we wont go there. So far the PT is everything Id hoped it would be and more, despite my families feelings against it. They rented one while on vacation and said they didnt like it. Said it was uncomfortable, they didnt like the window buttons locations...etc. Compared to what I was driving, a 1985 Honda Accord, the PT is like a slice of heaven. Im taking it on a trip to Ga. from S.C. this weekend...well see how it does...

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bls8195 - March 9 - 10:33 am

  So far I have had the car for about a month, and I love it to death. Very Roomy, comfortable. Very fun to drive. Only thing I wish I may have gotten which I did not was the navigation system. Wish Pcifica got better gas mileage.

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  Detroit to Key West to Spokane - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By anniebelene - February 29 - 12:03 pm

  I bought Petey the end of April and in mid-May left metro Detroit for the south end of I-75 by way of stops in Cumberland Falls Kentucky, Rock City, Ruby Falls, Columbus Georgia, Ft Meyers Florida, Key West Florida, St Augustine Florida, Lexington Kentucky and back home. Petey handled like a dream! She was tight on the corners and surefooted in the mountains. She took Daytona Beach very well. The top functioned perfectly. In June Petey and I and a Victrola in the back seat set out for Spokane. Again I couldnt ask for better preformance. Gas mileage varied from 20-25 mpg depending on top up, top down, mountains or plains. Shes quiet both inside and out. Shes a traffic stopper!

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  Lovin it! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By molly - February 29 - 4:06 am

  Have thoroughly enjoyed the PT Cruiser! Also have enjoyed the comraderie of the PT Cruiser Clubs - they were an unexpected bonus.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By wbb - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my company car and it has been a great vehicle.

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  Fantastic - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Chris - February 27 - 11:03 pm

  In over 25 years I have never purchased a new car until this one. One test drive and I simply couldnt wait a year for one to show up at CarMax. Pull up the specs on a 545, an XJR, a Caymen S...heck, check out a $170k DB9. The SRT takes them all on (with my 62" wife sitting comfortably in the backseat - try that in a BMW) and costs 50% less besides. Ive not figured out, and may never use, 1/3 of the features they packed into this thing but thats OK. Its the perfect car for those who need a practical daily commuter / family hauler but still recall wistfully the mustang/camero/whatever they had in high school. This car is so much fun, Im not sure why anyone would buy anything else.

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  PT - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By KA - February 26 - 10:10 am

  The PT Cruiser is a fun all around car, except for the suspension it could be a little tighter.

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  Nice touring car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Waldo30101 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car for my wife who wanted something luxurious but taller sitting seat wise. We have taken two trips, one over a thousand miles round trip and were comfortable the whole way. It could use more power but it had no problem cruising at above legal speeds up hills and valleys. Our previous car had a 5 speed transmission which I think would have helped this engine. We receive a lot of stares and positive comments about the car. Everyone seems to like it. Especially mini van owners.