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:

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By marrc5 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Great fun, good looks. for the price you cant beat it. Touring model has great leather seats and carbon fiber dash.

• 

  Nice Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By zoom1840 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a new limited. I was impressed by the gas millage. I also purchased the opitonal wind screen, it made a big difference. I would purchase another.

• 

  2002 Black Concorde Limited - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Spark - September 6 - 2:00 am

  We just bought this 2002 Limited. WOW! Superior styling and quality inside and out. The cavernous interior is extemely comfortable with fully powered, heated leather seats. The stereo system featuring a 4 changer CD and cassette player has plenty of power and sound seen rarely in a factory system. The exterior is flawless and the panels all fit together with the slightest gaps. The doors, trunk, and hood close with a soild "Thump" with no rattles or clanks. Since we bought this car, I have been asked by several people, "What is that?" I believe most had know idea that Chrysler made such a high quality product. It feels good "Its a Chrysler!"

• 

  Best Convertible Value on the Market - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By klempty - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Exllent automotive value. This is the best convertible, dollar for dollar,compared to any other convertible I have looked at. More importantly, it is priced far less than most foreign made convertibles.

• 

  Got What I Paid For - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By rickj - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have canx any Chrysler from my next purch list. Shoddy worksmanship. Parts all over van break prematurely. Replaced A/C condensor 20K mi, front axle 50K, rear bearing 55K. Has been marginal transportation. Oh yeah, only car worse for depreciation is probably a Kia or Hyundai - Nuff said! Honda or Toyota more expensinve but better workmanship, quality, resale.

• 

  Dream Car Sucks!!!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By guccigal34 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  purchased my dream car brand new in 99 and it has been a nightmare since. break problems(too many to count),panel probl, sensor probl,clear coat probl,cup holders brk, seat belt chokes, front end scrapes, etc

• 

  Makes a better paper weight - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By peter128 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Before I had my first 500 miles on the car, I had to bring it back to the dealer for a whining engine sound, which was the first of many visits. I am frustrated with the poor quality construction. I know have 45K on the car and I need a new transmission. This will be my last chrysler ever. The car looks great, as long as its not moving.

• 

  PT Does it all - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gary r - September 3 - 9:16 am

  Versatility is great. Can be used to haul larger items with fold down or removable rear seats. Head room is fantastic! I would categorize it as in between a SUV and Mid size. I can put 4 large adults in this car very comfortably! Great stereo! Easy to use cruise control. Economical for every day use!!! Quiet ride - no rattles or shakes! Corners extremely well. Handles excellent in snow with Front wheel drive. Long distance milage 30 MPG. Accelerates strong. No problems to fix!

• 

  Beauty only skin deep - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By anthoney - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I owned the car for two and a half years bought at 39,000 miles and sold at 74,000. Problems during ownership air conditioning, power window, and transmission speed sensor failures, and the radio was erratic. The main reason for selling the vehicle was my experience with a 1996 Chrysler LHS. It appears that a typical "LH" car can become problematic after 75,000 miles. Based on NHTSA info, I was very concerned that the 2.7 liter V6 might fail prematurely. Also, the steering was making weird noises. I now own a Toyota.

• 

  What a pleasure - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By JimCPA - September 3 - 2:00 am

  This was my first convertible. "Change of life" car. I dont know what I was waiting for. This is the most fun to drive car I have ever had! Heads always turn whenever the top is down, which is always, even in the winter (with the heat blasting of course!