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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  Country Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cruiser07 - August 10 - 10:33 am

  i love my pt cruiser, i never get tired of it, or get tired of driving it...i love the cool vanilla color, but i wish that it was red cause thats my fav color, i love the ride its very comfortable and smooth, handling is amazing, i can zip around curves like a sports car...it has really good power for a non-turbo, well at least mine does...if you want a lil extra power add a cold air intake, it makes it a lil zippier plus it gives it a nice sounding growl...i love almost everything about the car except for the gas mileage it gets decent but i expected better...i just hate that chrysler is fixin to stop making them...i highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Mitsubishi at Heart = Saving Grace - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matteo J - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Pretty happy overall. Fairly normal maintenance items (except for 3 replacement TPSs). Cramped V6 means costly labor and difficult maintance at home (like getting to those back three plugs to change them). Automatic transmission sluggish. Comfortable and fun to drive regardless. Real problem is dealing with Chrysler. Very poor customer service, unwilling to give customer benefit of the doubt in any case (even when they made the original mistake-no service contract docs despite multiple requests), mediocre technicians at dealerships, big markups on Mopar parts (bigger on Mitsubishi). Willing to try Mitsubishi again. Never owning another Chrysler. Ever.

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  Never Again - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By HowardL - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This will be my last American automobile purchase or Mitsubishi. Trans problems, recalls, expensive tires and parts as well as poor front end design and the turning circle of the HMS Titanic made this the "car in the driveway". Underpowered and noisy, this was the sexiest piece of junk I ever owned.

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  luv it - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By the big dog - August 9 - 10:00 am

  i have owned overe 50 cars in my life and this is the most fun i have ever had just going for a ride. people stop me all the time to check it out.

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  MY RIDE - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By JIMMM - August 9 - 10:00 am

  THE ONLY NEGATIVE ABOUT MY CROSSFIRE IS THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. I WOULD EXPECT A BETTER QUALITY.

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  A Crowd Stopper - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Patrick Waszkiewicz - August 9 - 10:00 am

  I took my P.T. Cruiser out west for a 5000 mile shake down cruise. I was astouded by the power,economy,comfort and the amount of attention from strangers.Everytime I stopped,I recieved positive comments, and people giving the thumbs up as we cruising on the Interstates.People were taken by the design,the idea of a convertible really fasinated a lot of people.

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  Pleasantly Satisfied - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mike Sr - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Exceptional ride for a smaller vechile. Plenty of cargo space with the fold down and tilt rear seats. The 180 hp gives this vechile plenty of pep and gas mileage on the highway is at 28 mpg. Fun to drive and turns alot of heads in your direction. Great car for the money.

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  My First Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Walleye - August 9 - 10:00 am

  If youre reading these reviews about the 300, chances are youre probably thinking about buying a 300. Quit researching and go buy it. Now! I bought a 300C. What a great car! Dont let the affordability fool you. Its a lot more car than the price reflects. This car definitely puts a smile on your face.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bruno - August 9 - 7:56 am

  We like our Chrysler 300 very much, its a very nice car overall. It rides very smooth and is very comfortable even when going over large bumps and potholes, the excellent suspension absorbs bumps very well. The car also handles very well and the car feels as solid as a rock. The interior of the car is very roomy and its a great family car. Were ever we go we get stares and complements about the cars styling, it stands out in the crowd of sameness that most other cars are in nowadays.

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  Not too sure - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kim S - August 8 - 12:56 am

  Very upset with this purchase. Have only had a few months and my engine light is on. Today as I drove it, it started bucking, wouldnt go over 30 mph. Ive read many reviews today about this being a common problem. (another site). The dealer cant get me in today, so Im SOL. I am paying quite a bit for this car, and having it for such a short amount of time and this is wrong. Not happy.