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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  Lousy Service - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By touring - April 1 - 6:33 am

  Bought car due to easier entry du to disabled wife. Fuel economy very poor. Dealer in Franklin TN (Alexander) is very slippery in the sales department. Car was a dealer trade and arrived filthy and had body damage. Auto headlights work intermittently as well as drivers power seat. Dealer said "it worked when he tried it" never looked at seat motor or electronics of lights and just told me to bring it in while it broke! Front end shakes when I stop, dealer says brake rotors are warped and wants to charge $143 to fix a manufacturing defect. Head office in Germany very rude and could care less. Little things keep breaking and falling off. I would like to give it back to them. Dealer worthless.

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  Suspension below par - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Tom L. - March 28 - 2:00 am

  My last car was Lincoln Town Car, but I couldnt afford one this time around - the price for the 300M was good. It had minor problems, such as a parking brake light that will ot go out, despite having it fixed several times, and I cant trust that the parking brake will even disengage all the time, so I do not use it. The biggest problem is the suspension - very iffy". The car always slides out on sharp turns when starting from zero, as if the tires are turning under..

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  Hate It - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By summergurl08 - March 27 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car a year ago thinking I would be much happier with this car then my previous one but i hate it. Water stains the seats. It really makes the interior look terrible. I had to replace tires on this car after only having 20,000kms on it. I drive this car in the winter and half the time the fan doesnt work. Try driving a car with fogged windows all the time! I am looking to get out of this car very soon and would not recommend this vehicle to anyone

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  95 LHS Review - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Curt&Nancy - March 18 - 2:00 am

  One major complaint about the car is that it has a lot of road noise. Noise from the front wheels into the car interior. Car rides nice, is comfortable and roomy. Numerous mechanical failures during first 90K miles. Front end, air conditioner, headlight switch problems are just a few.

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  should have kept my Honda - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By aww_shucks - March 18 - 2:00 am

  the car has been in the shop for unscheduled maintenance(read: things BROKEN) 10 times in less than 3 years/30,000 miles. while none of the problems were major breakdowns, they were evidence of crappy parts and poor workmanship from the factory. the minor annoyances add up to an unsatisfactory experience and terrible resale value.

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  Hire some engineers 4 crying out loud - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By tgjr - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The body and interior are great. The mechanical layout and design quality are terrible! Service perfomed in the first 100K miles... Replaced transmission servo-valve package due to leaks. Research has shown that this is a common issue for this Chysler transmission. Replaced front axle Replaced water pump Replaced timing belt (when will manufacturers stop burying a limited life component deep inside the engine?!? Duh!!! Other normal wear items (brakes, etc.)

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  Mechanically Unreliable Car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Emserl - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has developed a coolant leak, brake fluid leak, and there is fuel leaking into the oil. It has been taken to numerous dealers for repair, that claim nothing is wrong with the car. Ive had the oil tested by an independent lab that verifies the percentage of fuel in the oil steadily increases. I constantly have to add coolant and brake fluid, but the leaks cannot be detected. Ive called Chrysler Corp. They claim it is impossible for the fuel to leak into the oil and that there are no leaks.

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  Cute car, poor quality mechanically. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cathi - March 4 - 1:10 pm

  I was so excited to get this car. That didnt last long, we had to replace the battery the first week we brought it home. It was purchased new. We have replaced the battery 2 more times since. Head gasket leaked the first year, a/c has been out several times, radiator leaked, now the transmission is completely out, needs rebuilding. I have had this car only 4 years. Turn radius is limited, gas mileage is poor. Drawer under the passenger seat wont close without much difficulty. Very disappointing.

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  Just Average - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By morsborn - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Weve it for a couple years. Wife loves it, to me its just OK. We too had a shift problem hung in 2nd. A leaky water pump, dripping on a sensor. Took months to find. PS had a small leak. Some trouble with electrics. Radio sucks. Replaced under a bulletin and new one lasted less than a month. Tach, LR door lock and elec window fail intermittently. The ride is a little harsh for a "luxury" car. But I like that part. It is certainly no lemon, but no better than average. Our experience is better than average on reliability. Big complaint: resale-no one wants it. Over 50% drop in 2 yr.

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  Fun car or worst piece of crap!!! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wewing - March 3 - 9:27 am

  I bought my PT Cruiser used. It is a 2003 and I bought it in 2005. I have replaced the waterpump (inline), the power steering,I have had work done on the struts,front bearings, I have had electrical problems and replaced the battery, and it eats oil at a rate higher than I would like. I have spenr over $3500 dollars on repairs and it had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and I have just less than 70,000 on it now. There is a small leak somwhere in the cooling system either coming from the water pump$700, the head gasket $1000 or the engine block $2000. I am a little unhappy with the reliability of this car.