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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  Sebring Conv. - fun car/fun drive - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By nitneelyin - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Car has been a pleasant surprise. Expected road noise with a convertible and I got it, but the ride is superb, even after 134,000 miles. Gas mileage runs 24-27. The OEM Michelin tires got 60,000 miles, so did the second set and Im on #3. Back seat is useless for anyone except small kids. Trunk is okay, but not roomy. Battery placement (I changed it once) is horrendous, in the wheelwell on the front driver side, what an engineering screw-up. Stereo was clear and loud even with the top down. Bottom line, its been a fun car with the top down or up!

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  Sebring 2002 - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By PAPASIR - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Electrical problems: From day one there was an intermittant problem with the headlight switch causing the dash lights to go on and off. Then the blower motor relay went out leaving me with only high speed on the blower. Next was the automitic door locks. Currently the doors will not lock except with the remote. This is all within the first 60,000 miles. Owned severl Toyota products and never had these kind of problems.

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  Survived a Deer! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By marymary - September 21 - 10:36 pm

  I love this car like I have no other! Fun to drive with the top down and turbo roaring. This week a deer ran in front of me while I ws driving about 35mph. The impact didnt feel bad, felt like someone threw a basketball at the car. The deer was unfortunately killed. When I assessed the damage I was surprised how extensive it was. Bent hood and radiater, dented left fender, bent both grills...about $4K in all. I am so impressed at how little impact that I felt (airbags did not deploy.) The 2006 safety rating just came out and were excellent for PTs. The survivability of an accident in this car vs. a larger vehicle had always gnawed at me a bit...now I feel better.

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  Good choice overall - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DA10DRVR - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Very nice overall, quality shows since Daimler involved. Gas milage needs work, and has a couple of blind spots from drivers seat, but overall very good, I would purchase another one.

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  my little put putt - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By anamaria - September 20 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive easy to handdle, except when you have to turn makes only wide turns no sharp turning with car. Too low in the front. I am always hitting bottom with this car. It also is hard getting up a hill even a slight incline can sloww you down a lot.

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  2005 PACIFICA IS NOT READY - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By M0N1QUE - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I love the luxury look of the car. Very functional, but Crysler is still experimenting with the customers money. They should not continue to sell this car until all of the problems have been solved.

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  NiiiiCE Car !!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DAZ0506 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  A definite step up! Comfortable seats, lots of room, smooth ride, and a great sound system. Step on the pedal and you are gone. A car that truly makes the heads turn.

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  Exact Vehicle for the Price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Lee Goodwin - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new Chrysler in August mainly for the style. Once driving it I found that it was comfortable, reliable, quality builded and fun to drive. When Im driving on the freeways it is easy to handle and alot of driving on the road usually look over and at the car and give me the thumb-up. I enjoy my new car and so do my famuly. My co-worker say it the best looking car on the parking lot. Some says it look like a Bently.

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  We love our 300 Touring!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By The Rays - September 20 - 10:00 am

  We love our new car. The handling is excellent and we really enjoy the luxury inside. The only thing we need to do at this point is tint our windows to get the complete vintage look. Were in our mid 20s and really enjoy the car all around. You get so many questions and looks in this car and I would suggest this car to anyone who wants luxury but doesnt want to pay the BMW luxury price.

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  Solid - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By davez - September 20 - 2:00 am

  My 300M was purchased in Philadelphia, and has been with me for moves to the cold of New England and the country of Lexington, Kentucky - one word describes my experience with the 300M - solid. Never any serious issues, the interior leather, size, and dependability will make me keep this car for 5+ more years..